May 25, 2022 — Amid the excitement surrounding the UF College of Medicine’s medical school class of 2022 commencement this month, fond memories played in the mind of a returning alum during the 50th anniversary of his own graduation.

Richard Talley, M.D. ‘72, served as an honorary marshal during commencement May 21.

“Attending this year’s commencement ceremony is really a chance to look back on my own experiences in medical school and celebrate the future of my profession,” said Talley, who also made the 100th gift to the College of Medicine’s Legacy Challenge scholarship campaign, which helps the newest generation of medical and PA students obtain the world-class education they need and deserve.

Talley said he approached his own medical school graduation with a degree of trepidation and excitement about moving to a new city, Houston, to complete an internship in internal medicine.

Following his internship, Talley moved to Denver, where he completed his residency and chief residency at University of Colorado School of Medicine and joined a group of his colleagues who had started the physician staffing of a private hospital emergency room.

“I definitely had an interest in high-acuity care which didn’t exist within internal medicine at the time, he said. “It really lit my fire to come into a shift never knowing what the next case coming in the door would be.”

Having sensitivity toward patients and remaining inquisitive about science and treatments are two values he said he tried to practice throughout his professional career. Talley, now retired, said he hopes members of the UF medical school class of 2022 apply the same passion to their chosen fields as he did to emergency medicine.

“It’s a unique privilege and great responsibility to be a member of the medical profession,” he said. “Keep that in mind not just for your patients, but also for everyone with whom you interact.”