UF College of Medicine welcomes M.D. Class of 2029
136 students begin their medical studies in July
M.D. Class of 2029
Photo by Charles Poulton
July 31, 2025 — Curious. Kind. Resilient. Caring.
These are just a few of the words the University of Florida medical student Class of 2029 used to describe themselves during a community-building activity in their first week of medical school.
On July 28 the newest cohort of 136 M.D. students joined the UF College of Medicine, where they met with peers and various faculty and staff members during a weeklong orientation.
James Lynch, M.D., associate dean of admissions, shared with the students that they were selected to join UF’s program, in part, because of some of the traits the students identified in themselves — acknowledging the role of humanism and compassion in the medical profession.
“Being open-minded is one of the most important traits you can have as a physician,” he said. “You will be caring for people who are different from you, people who you may not agree with, but everyone deserves that same level of attentiveness.”
Although the upcoming journey for the students will be challenging, faculty reiterated that they are in good hands.
“We’re here to help you,” said Shelley Collins, M.D., senior associate dean for educational affairs. “The next four years are not going to be easy, but you have each other, and you have us.”
A ‘physical bridge’ between physician and patient
Patricia McFall Calhoun, M.D. '89, president of the UF medical alumni board of directors, shared with new students the importance of patient connection during a stethoscope presentation for the newest class of medical students on July 29.
Photo by Hannah Clark
To ring in the students’ first week of medical school, the physicians-in-training were presented with a significant tool they will use along their journeys: their very first stethoscope.
Purchased through donations from alumni and friends of the college, the stethoscopes will accompany the students and serve as a reminder of the importance of presence and listening in medicine.
Patricia McFall Calhoun, M.D. ’89, a family medicine physician at Baptist Health in Jacksonville, Florida, spoke with the Class of 2029 to present the special gift to the students.
“Your stethoscope is the physical bridge that conveys the very sounds of life into the physician’s ears,” she said.
McFall Calhoun congratulated the class on beginning this exciting chapter of their lives, recounting the many memories from her medical studies that remain in her heart and the lessons she’s carried into her practice from her time in Gainesville.
“The education received here rivals no other,” she said. “You will learn valuable life lessons, not only from your professors and your peers, but most importantly, patients. And I can say with all sincerity that you will graduate and continue your profession with competence and confidence.”
Photos by Hannah Clark
Meet a few members of the M.D. Class of 2029
Click on the photos below to read Q&As with members of the UF medical school Class of 2029.
Brianna Edwards
Eythan Jiang
Genevieve Barquet
