SPRINGFIELD - The Prairie State welcomed a fresh crop of new physicians on May 17, as Southern Illinois University School of Medicine awarded degrees to the Class of 2025. The commencement ceremony at the University of Illinois Springfield Performing Arts Center celebrated achievements of the 74 graduates and featured remarks from faculty members, alumni and honorees. SIU School of Medicine Dean and Provost Dr. Jerry Kruse presented diplomas to the students and Dr. Daniel Mahony, president of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, conferred the medical degrees. In his commencement address, Dr. Kevin Simon emphasized the importance of curiosity, humility and empathy. “The most powerful medicine is sometimes invisible. It’s made of attention. Stillness. Dignity,” he said. Simon is a psychiatrist and the inaugural chief behavioral health officer for the city of Boston. He is also a graduate of SIU School of Medicine (Class of 2015) and of SIU’s MEDPREP. Simon encouraged the new doctors to remain resilient, open-hearted and purpose-driven in the face of clinical and emotional challenges. “Because somewhere, right now—literally right now—there’s a child wondering if they’ll be safe. And you might be the first doctor to make them feel that way.” Dr. Molly Smith, chair of the Class of 2025, delivered remarks on behalf of the graduates. She spoke of the love and pride she feels for her classmates and the bonds they’ve forged. “The connections built here, the friendships, the memories, the laughter and the late nights, they won’t fade. They’ll travel with us into every patient room, every call shift, every small and extraordinary moment of our careers,” she said. Honored Carbondale faculty include Dr. Amanda Mulch, Dr. Jennifer Rose, Dr. Nick Weshinskey and Dr. Diana Sarko. The latter was named Carbondale Teacher of the Year. The Class of 2025 selected Dr. Gabriel Tobón to receive the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Tobón is an assistant professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology. The Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Awards were presented to a faculty member and recent graduate for their exemplary care and compassion shown to patients, family members and learners. Dr. Kelly Hurst in the Department of Medical Humanities and the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and 2025 graduate Dr. Sidney Nyquist were this year’s recipients. SIU Medicine’s mission is to optimize the health of the people of central and southern Illinois through education, patient care, research and service to the community. Established in 1970, the medical school is based dually in Carbondale and Springfield and is specifically oriented to educating new physicians prepared to practice in Illinois communities. Since 1975, 3,386 physicians have earned SIU medical degrees. The new SIU physicians will begin residency training in their chosen specialties in June. Destinations are included in the lists below. View the commencement ceremony on YouTube. Graduate portraits and photos from the event are available at Zenfolio.
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