Today, Florida Atlantic University’s Charles Schmidt College of Medicine marked the commencement ceremony of the class of 2025 at the Carole and Barry Kaye Auditorium. The class of 2025 now stands among the newest physicians in the nation. Additionally, for the second consecutive year, the medical school commencement celebrated master’s and Ph.D. graduates from the biomedical sciences program. The ceremony highlighted the vital role these graduates will play in shaping the future of health care delivery and scientific research, working together to combat diseases and conditions that impact people around the world.

Surrounded by family, friends, faculty and distinguished guests, the class of 2025 took center stage, where they were “hooded” – a cherished tradition symbolizing the passing of the mantle from one generation of physicians to the next – and formally awarded their Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degrees. Keeping it in the family, 14 of the graduates were hooded by physician relatives – including parents, siblings, grandparents and in-laws – who “proudly passed the torch to the next generation.”

“More than a decade ago, I had the privilege of helping to lay the foundation for this medical school – believing deeply that it could reshape the future of health care in our region,” said FAU President Adam Hasner. “Seeing each of you today brings that vision to life in the most powerful way. With your knowledge, commitment and deep compassion, I am confident you will redefine health care and biomedical research and positively impact lives across our communities, our state and our nation. It is a great honor to stand before you today as president of Florida Atlantic University to confer these degrees.”

Florida is currently facing a significant shortage of physicians, with projections indicating a shortfall of nearly 18,000 doctors by 2035. FAU’s medical school is working to mitigate this projected shortage and continues to make valuable contributions to the physician workforce. During Match Day in March, the 61 members of the class of 2025 matched into residency programs, through which they will receive specialty training.   

“To our graduating students, you are embarking on a future filled with promise, purpose, opportunity and impact,” said Lewis S. Nelson, M.D., the dean of the Schmidt College of Medicine. “This moment marks a transformative milestone – one that will remain with you whether your journey leads you to clinical practice or groundbreaking research. We are incredibly proud of all you have accomplished during your time at the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, and we eagerly look forward to the extraordinary paths you will forge in the years ahead. Your dedication, curiosity and perseverance have shaped you into professionals ready to thrive in the ever-evolving world of health care and science. Congratulations!”

This year’s keynote address was delivered by Joe G. N. “Skip” Garcia, M.D., a nationally recognized physician-scientist and academic leader in pulmonary and critical care medicine. Currently the Herbert Wertheim Endowed Professor at the University of Florida, Garcia is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and CEO of Aqualung Therapeutics. His landmark research and commitment to mentorship and health equity have made a lasting impact on medicine and medical education.

In line with the FAU medical school’s mission, 36 percent of the class of 2025 will conduct their residency in Florida, and 25 percent will specialize in primary care including internal medicine, family medicine and pediatrics. The graduates also matched in some of the most competitive specialties including orthopedic surgery, dermatology, vascular surgery, interventional radiology and neurosurgery. 

“Graduation marks the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice and unwavering commitment,” said Jennifer Caceres, M.D., vice dean for medical education and a professor of medicine, Schmidt College of Medicine. “Class of 2025, today we celebrate your growth, your strength and your remarkable spirit.  You leave here not just with a medical degree, but with the tools and compassion to truly shape the future of health care. As you step into this next chapter, know that your journey with us doesn’t end here. You’ve left an indelible footprint in our community and wherever you go, we’ll be cheering you on.”

Among the various Florida institutions where the class of 2025 placed are the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine; Memorial Healthcare System; Broward Health Medical Center; Cleveland Clinic Florida; University of Miami/Jackson Health System; University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine; University of Florida College of Medicine – Shands Hospital; Florida International University; HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital; and Orlando Health.

The class of 2025 also placed in several other top institutions nationally, including Northwestern University – McGaw Medical Center; Yale-New Haven Hospital; Tufts Medical Center; Baylor College of Medicine; Montefiore Medical Center/Einstein Campus; University of Southern California, Los Angeles; and Duke University Medical Center.

During commencement, the medical school also celebrated 31 biomedical science master’s students, one Ph.D. graduate, and six graduates of the Genomics and Predictive Health Certificate. The certificate provides master’s and Ph.D. students with an in-depth background in these fields.

Among the exemplary students in the class of 2025 are Elisha Myers, M.D., a Fulbright Scholar and founder of the FAU Student-Initiated Free Clinic, which provides care to underserved communities, who also received “The Caroline McConnell McGill, M.D. Award” during commencement; Ivan Grela, M.D., a Woods Scholarship recipient, former high school biology teacher, and first-generation student; Miguel Antonio Castro, M.D., who has mentored more than 500 middle and high school students with limited resources in health care careers through hands-on education and leadership; and Rohit Merugu, M.D., who attended FAU as an undergraduate and a medical student, now matching at FAU for residency making him a “triple owl.”

The class of 2025 also has numerous exemplary students who have been inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, the national medical honor society; the Gold Humanism Honor Society, a national honor society that recognizes senior medical students and others for excellence in clinical care, leadership, compassion and dedication to service; and The Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award, awarded by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, which recognizes graduating students who exemplify compassionate, patient-centered care and uphold the humanistic values at the heart of medicine.

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