School of Medicine Graduation Celebration June 8, 2021 COMMENCEMENT HONORING THE CLASS OF 2021 PRELUDE Rondeau by Jean-Joseph Mouret Fanfare pour précéder “La Péri” by Paul Dukas MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES Margit Chadwell, M.D. ’94, FAAFP Associate Dean, Student Affairs and Career Development GREETINGS FROM THE UNIVERSITY Marilyn Kelly Chair, Board of Governors M. Roy Wilson, M.D. President GREETINGS FROM THE Mark E. Schweitzer, M.D. SCHOOL OF MEDICINE Dean and Vice President of WSU Health Affairs Jack Folbe, M.D. ’89 President, WSU Medical Alumni Association TRIBUTE TO LIVES LOST DURING Trumpet highlights from “Hymn to the Fallen” THE PANDEMIC from the motion picture “Saving Private Ryan” by John Williams CANDLELIGHT VIGIL Yousif Jajo Class of 2021 FRONTLINE PHYSICIANS REFLECTION Eric Ayers, M.D. ’89, Res. ’93 AND INVOCATION Associate Professor, Director, Mentoring and Student Engagement REMARKS Loretta Zaydel Robichaud, R.N., M.S., N.P., C.N.S. University Counselor, Class of 2021 COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS Christopher Steffes, M.D., Res. ’93 Associate Dean, Clinical Education INVESTITURE OF DOCTORAL HOODS AND M. Roy Wilson, M.D. CONFERRING OF ACADEMIC DEGREES Mark E. Schweitzer, M.D. Richard Baker, M.D. Vice Dean, Medical Education Herbert Smitherman Jr., M.D., Res. ’91, M.P.H., FACP Vice Dean, Diversity and Community Affairs Senthil Rajasekaran, M.D., M.M.H.P.E. Senior Associate Dean, Curricular Affairs and Undergraduate Medical Education Kevin Sprague, M.D. ’80, Res. ’85 Associate Dean, Admissions Christopher Steffes, M.D., Res. ’93 Jason Booza, Ph.D. Assistant Dean, Continuous Quality Improvement and Compliance Jack Folbe, M.D. ’89 OATH Richard Baker, M.D. CLOSING REMARKS Yusuf Qadeer, M.D. President, Class of 2021 RECESSIONAL “Grand Valley Fanfare” by Eric Ewazen “When I’m Sixty-Four” by Paul McCartney MUSICIANS Brittany Lasch, Trombone Derek Lockhart, Trumpet Andrew Pelletier, French Horn Gordon Simmons, Trumpet David Zerkel, Tuba Class of 2021 Commencement and Hooding Ceremony | 3 WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT M. ROY WILSON, M.D. Dear Graduates: Congratulations, doctors! Graduating from the Wayne State University School of Medicine is an exceptional achievement, and you—the Class of 2021—have done so under extraordinary circumstances. I know you’ve heard this many times, but please hear it also from me: I am so proud of you. This year’s graduation celebration looks different than it has in other years, but your accomplishments are in no way diminished because of it. As you reach this milestone, I’m confident your time at the Wayne State School of Medicine has prepared you to reach many more. Because of your time here, you now have an opportunity to have a meaningful, fulfilling impact on people’s lives and on society at large that few people can even dream of. You’ve shown, through your flexibility and grace during unprecedented challenges, that you are well equipped to thrive as physicians in an unpredictable world. You’ll certainly benefit from your many hours of study and clinical practice, and from the opportunities you’ve had to engage with the world outside the classroom from our campus in Detroit. This gives you a distinct advantage. Yet, the richest reward of your time here in medical school may be the wisdom and humanistic outlook you’ve gained, which have made you a compassionate and thoughtful physician, committed to making a difference in your community. The Wayne State University School of Medicine has asked a lot from you, not the least of which was to be the best healer you could be. Today, we ask for one more thing: Stay engaged with the university, and help a new generation access the transformative opportunities you have had here. We trust that your experience here has kindled a lifelong passion for learning and healing. So instead of goodbye, I’ll say, “Until we meet again.” Best wishes to you and to the entire Class of 2021. M. Roy Wilson, M.D. President 4 | Wayne State University School of Medicine WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE To the Class of 2021: Let me be among the first to say: Congratulations, doctors. You are the next generation of a living legacy founded 153 years ago. You should be justifiably proud to now be a continuum of that legacy. I and the faculty have every expectation that you will go on to do great things in medicine that will further burnish the tremendous reputation of the Wayne State University School of Medicine. You have not only been tested by the rigors of medical education, you have been forged as a physician by the COVID-19 pandemic. In years to come, I believe you will find that this test of your mettle made you better physicians. Your many efforts to confront the virus while providing care for the community have been inspirational and are emblematic of the Warrior M.D. tradition. Our School of Medicine is built upon a rock-solid foundation of the finest medical education and dedicated service to the community. You are now the next layer in that foundation, and those who come after you will look to you for inspiration. I am certain that you will enhance this reputation as you develop your own brilliant futures. As you embark upon your residencies and careers, I ask that you stay safe, maintain your sense of patient-centric caring, and stay in contact with your School of Medicine so that I and the faculty may celebrate your many future successes. Mark E. Schweitzer, M.D. Vice President, Health Affairs Dean, Wayne State University School of Medicine Class of 2021 Commencement and Hooding Ceremony | 5 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER Christopher Steffes, M.D., Res. ’93 Christopher Steffes, M.D., is the associate dean of Clinical Medical Education for the Wayne State University School of Medicine. A professor of Surgery, he has been a faculty member of the Department of Surgery for more than 20 years. His surgical training was completed at WSU and included a two- year research stint in the Department of Biochemistry. He joined the faculty in 1993 following residency. He served as the surgery clerkship director at WSU for 20 years before being appointed assistant dean of Clinical Education. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering in 1982 from Cornell University and his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison School of Medicine in 1986. His additional training includes the American College of Surgeons, Surgeons as Leaders Course in 2015, the Stanford Clinical Teaching Program Development Course, Wayne State University School of Medicine and the Surgeons as Educators Course, American College of Surgeons, in 2002. He has held several hospital appointments, including attending physician for Detroit Receiving, Harper University, Hutzel Women’s and Karmanos hospitals; co-chief of Surgical Oncology for Karmanos Cancer Hospital; and senior staff surgeon for Henry Ford Hospital. His research lab investigated the role of the microcirculation in sepsis and shock. The recipient of numerous teaching awards, Dr. Steffes received the Golden Apple Faculty Award in 2016, was named Teacher of the Year in 2014 and was listed in Hour Magazine’s Detroit Top Docs in 2014-15. Christopher Steffes, M.D., Res. ’93 6 | Wayne State University School of Medicine WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF GOVERNORS Marilyn Kelly, Chair Mark Gaffney Shirley Stancato Bryan C. Barnhill II Anil Kumar Dana Thompson Michael Busuito, M.D. ’81, Res. ’88 Mary Lynn Land M. Roy Wilson, M.D., ex officio GOVERNORS EMERITI Tina Abbott Diane Dunakiss Danialle Karmanos David Nicholson Vernice D. Anthony Michael Einheuser Denise J. Lewis Gary S. Pollard Richard Bernstein Elizabeth Hardy Paul Massaron Michael T. Timmis Debbie Dingell Paul Hillegonds Annetta Miller Kim Trent Eugene Driker Sandra Hughes O’Brien Robert H. Naftaly PRESIDENT’S CABINET M. Roy Wilson, M.D. Stephen M. Lanier President Vice President of Research Laurie M. Lauzon Clabo Louis A. Lessem Interim Provost and Vice President and General Counsel Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Patrick O. Lindsey Susan E. Burns Vice President of Government and Community Affairs Vice President, Development and Alumni Affairs and President, Wayne State University Foundation Julie H. Miller Vice President and Secretary to the Board of Governors Marquita T. Chamblee Associate Provost of Diversity and Inclusion and Mark E. Schweitzer, M.D. Chief Diversity Officer Vice President of Health Affairs Dean, Wayne State University School of Medicine Rebecca Cooke Interim Vice President of Finance and Business Operations, Ned Staebler Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Vice President of Economic Development and President and CEO of TechTown Detroit Ahmad M. Ezzeddine Associate Vice President of Educational Outreach and Michael Wright International Programs Vice President of Marketing and Communications and Chief of Staff Carolyn P. Hafner Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer SCHOOL OF MEDICINE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP Mark E. Schweitzer, M.D. Thane Peterson Dean, School of Medicine Vice Dean of Finance and Administration, School of Medicine, Associate Vice President of Finance Richard S. Baker, M.D. and Administration, Health Affairs Vice Dean of Medical Education Charles Shanley, M.D. ’87, FACS. Basim Dubaybo, M.D. Vice Dean of Clinical Affairs Vice Dean of Faculty Affairs Herbert Smitherman Jr., M.D., Res ’91, M.P.H., FACP Linda Hazlett, Ph.D. Vice Dean of Diversity and Community Affairs Vice Dean of Research and Graduate Programs Karen Mourtzikos, M.D. Executive Vice Dean Class of 2021 Commencement and Hooding Ceremony | 7 COUNCIL OF DEANS Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D. Senthil Rajasekaran, M.D., M.M.H.P.E. Associate Dean of Cancer Programs Senior Associate Dean of Curricular Affairs and Undergraduate Medical Education Jason Booza, Ph.D. Assistant Dean of Continuous Quality Beena Sood, M.D., Res.