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2014 Graduation Gallery

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Yisrael Katz, a member of the class of 2014, said in his speech, "Because we were here, because nothing we did was ever close to normal, our accomplishment today is monumental."

The 40 students of the inaugural class of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine became the nation’s newest doctors on May 10.

“Every graduating class from every school is special, but a medical school’s charter class is truly distinctive,” said Dr. Cynda Johnson, founding dean of the school in welcoming the packed house at Jefferson Center in Roanoke.

Dr. Ludeman Eng, immediate past chair of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine's academic council, led the procession with a ceremonial mace on loan from Virginia Tech.
Dr. Ludeman Eng, immediate past chair of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine's academic council, led the procession with a ceremonial mace on loan from Virginia Tech. Eng was nicknamed "Mace Man" during graduation planning for his tireless efforts to have the mace modified by a local artist to incorporate the seal of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine.
Dr. Cynda Johnson, dean of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, welcomes a full house for the first graduation of Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
Dr. Cynda Johnson, dean of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, welcomes a full house inside Shaftman Performance Hall at the Jefferson Center.
Ben J. Davenport, chairman of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine's Board of Directors, acknowledged the school's founding and current board members.
Ben J. Davenport, chairman of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine's Board of Directors, acknowledged the school's founding and current board members.
Dr. Daniel Harrington and Dr. Rick Vari place a ceremonial hood on the new Dr. Matt Levine.
Dr. Daniel Harrington, senior dean for academic affairs and Dr. Rick Vari, associate dean for medical education place a ceremonial hood on the new Dr. Matt Levine.
Senator Tim Kaine addresses graduates
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine told the history of how the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine came into existence. It all started in 2007 in a coffee shop with a discussion between Kaine (who was then governor of Virginia), Charles W. Steger, president of Virginia Tech, and Ed Murphy, former CEO of Carilion Clinic.
U.S. Senator Tim Kaine addresses graduates
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine thanked the graduating class for accepting the profound challenges of medicine.
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine and Ben J. Davenport, chair of the Board of Directors, share a few words on stage.
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine and Ben J. Davenport, chair of the Board of Directors, share a few words on stage.
newly minted doctor Katherine Dederer hooded by Dr. Bruce Johnson and Dr. Michael Friedlander
Dr. Bruce Johnson, associate dean for faculty affairs (left), and Michael Friedlander, senior dean for research, place an academic hood on newly minted doctor Katherine Dederer as part of the first-ever graduation of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine.
Graduation speaker and class president Matthew Joy
Graduation speaker and class president Matthew Joy told the crowd, " I know that the values instilled in us here will go with us as we begin our residency training across the country."
Matt Joy receives the Dean's Special Recognition by Dr. Cynda Johnson.
Matt Joy receives the Dean's Special Recognition by Dr. Cynda Johnson.
Dean Cynda Johnson congratulates class president Matthew Joy
Dean Cynda Johnson congratulates class president Matthew Joy after presenting him with the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine Dean’s Special Recognition.
Richard Vari, (left), and Dr. Daniel Harrington, place an academic hood on newly minted doctor Shervin Mirshahi
Richard Vari, associate dean for medical education (left), and Dr. Daniel Harrington, senior dean for academic affairs, place an academic hood on newly minted doctor Shervin Mirshahi as part of the first-ever graduation of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine.
Class President Matt Joy
Class President Matt Joy, told the crowd, "While the time itself seems to have slipped by, almost unnoticed, it feels very different to be standing here today than it did to be standing on those front steps, posing for our first class photo, four years ago."
Yisrael Katz, Class of 2014 student speaker.
Speakers and distinguished guests on stage enjoy remarks made by Yisrael Katz, Class of 2014. When reflecting on the importance of humanism in medicine, Katz admitted, "My classmates would agree that I may not be the most sympathetic or indiscriminately compassionate person."
The first graduates in the history of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine assemble on the front steps of the building that had been completed just days before their arrival.
The first graduates in the history of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine assemble on the front steps of the building that had been completed just days before their arrival four years earlier. In his remarks during the ceremony, Matthew Joy, class president, called the edifice, “the beautifully designed and shiny new building – our building, I might add.” The building houses both the medical school and the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute.
Dr. Aubrey Knight, associate dean for student affairs
Dr. Aubrey Knight, associate dean for student affairs, presented the candidates to be conferred.
Dr. Tarin Schmidt-Dalton, assistant dean for clinical science years 1 and 2
Dr. Tarin Schmidt-Dalton, assistant dean for clinical science years 1 and 2, was selected by the graduating class to speak at the ceremony. The class selected her for being an "integral part of our medical training and the backbone of VTC's clinic skills curriculum."
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine’s seal projected onto the floor of Jefferson Center
The Jefferson Center projected the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine’s seal at the entrance to the atrium leading to the hall.
Graduates waiting to be hooded
Class of 2014 graduates waiting to be hooded.
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Dr. Timothy Gall receives his diploma from Dean Cynda Johnson.

Charter class graduation, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. VTCSM

And here they are, ladies and gentlemen...the first graduates of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine.
And here they are, ladies and gentlemen...the first graduates of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine.
Dr. Rebecca Kirschner and Dean Cynda Johnson.
Dr. Rebecca Kirschner and Dean Cynda Johnson.
Drs. Travis Thompson and Robert Brown
Drs. Travis Thompson and Robert Brown.
Members of the Office of the Dean join the graduates following the ceremony.
Members of the Office of the Dean join the graduates following the ceremony. Hope Parks (front row, far left), the school’s registrar, did such a masterful job of organizing the historic event that she was dubbed “Graduation Ceremony Maestra.”
Friends and family gather outside the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
A little rain didn't stop friends and family members from taking advantage of a photo op on the front steps.
Two students walking away from the camera towards the School of Medicine, wearing the custom designed hoods
The custom-designed graduation hoods were lined with blue, the color of Carilion Clinic, and maroon, the color of Virginia Tech. The edge of the hood was green, the official color for medicine.
First graduating class throw their hats in the air in front of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine building.
Hats off to the first alumni of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine.

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