Well wishes for the class of 2020
To the Class of 2020: Welcome to the VTCSOM Alumni Family! We're so proud of you and can't wait to see the great things you do in the field of medicine. Remember you're a Hokie for life, and your friends, classmates, faculty, staff, and fellow VTCSOM alumni will always be there to support you. Congratulations!
Sammi Hoover
VTCSOM Staff Member
Hello, recent graduates from the 2020 class, the medical school at Virginia Tech. Dennis Pearson here at class of 83 and current president of the Fauquier Hokie club. We'd like to say congratulations and welcome to the greatest alumni association in the country. Go Hokies!
What a privilege to work with you - we had two amazing researcher-scientists in the making work with us -- Albert Truong and Susan Giampalmo! You are stand out!!! Congrats on great matches - we will keep a lookout for your upcoming publications! Hope our paths cross again!
Cheri and David Hartman
VTCSOM Faculty Member
Congratulations, Class of 2020. We are so proud of your many accomplishments. I guess this makes you our first digital doctors. Well, we're glad that you started your career with us, and wherever your path leads you in the future, we hope it leads you back here. Best wishes, Class of 2020.
To the class of 2020: We met you your first week on campus. We spent many hours together and have watched you grow into marvelous medical thought leaders. Best wishes for your future.
Dr. Heidi Lane and Clinical Skills Team
VTCSOM Faculty Members
Congrats, VTC Class of 2020. Special shout to Harsh Patolia, we're so excited for you, and we know you're going to be a great doctor. From the Yang family, including Gizmo.
On behalf of all of the faculty and staff from the Interprofessionalism Learning Domain, a hearty congratulations to the Class of 2020!!! You are a special class and one that we will always remember and hold in the highest regard. Your recent circumstances as seniors have been challenging, but as always you rose to the occasion with flexibility, strength and grace. It has been an honor to work with you! Best wishes for every success as you now embark upon the next phase of your training. I know that you will continue to shine and make a significant impact on the lives of your patients. Stay Hokie strong and let us know how it's going. With much respect and admiration, Dr. Musick
David Musick, PhD
VTCSOM Faculty Member
Who would have thought that this little eight month old baby dressed in scrubs for his first Halloween would be graduating medical school in 2020? Jordan, Dad and I are so very proud of you. Congratulations.
Farah, we are so immensely proud of you! You have worked so hard and we know you are off to more big things - we will be with you every step of your journey. Congratulations on graduating medical school!
The Siddiqui Family
Friend / Family Member
Warmest congratulations to the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine Class of 2020! Wishing each of you great success on the next step on your professional journey. Your brilliant achievement today is remarkable and I am so happy to share in the excitement of your graduation day, and so very proud of you, too!
Kim Blair
VTCSOM Staff Member
Hello, from Raleigh, North Carolina to Soleille Everest and her classmates of the 2020 commencement of Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. We are Donna, Bill, and Vincent, also known as mom, dad, and brother.
[Dad] We're so proud of you and your colleagues, Soleille. You've all demonstrated the qualities in life that ideally should be emulated by our entire society.
[Mom] 2020 was already set to be an eventful year with study abroad, graduation, weddings and a new location to continue your medical training. This pandemic will put your graduation year in the history books.
[Dad] You have all shown the courage to follow through on the dream of becoming a doctor. You vanquished all thoughts of fear of failure. Your dedication to serving others and commitment to following through on all the challenges are inspirational. By pursuing the school of continuous learning and striving for professional excellence, Soleille, you have proven that kindness, compassion, friendship, cooperation, and love are the truest destinations for all of us.
[Brother] We are the pandemic unshaven. We wish they were playoff beards, but hockey and other sports are just pleasant pursuits and have rightfully been set aside to preserve the health and life of many. But we wish we could have congratulated all of you in person. Soleille, congratulations on getting your first choice match. Internal medicine will allow you to create a bond with your patients, which I know you like and we're still only a few hours drive away.
[Mom] We enjoyed meeting your professors and classmates, starting with the white coat ceremony and continuing at other events such as rent fair and rail yard dog games. A smaller class has allowed you the opportunity to feel part of a team: to support, challenge and encourage each other. The intensity of the subject matter, coping with patient emotions, and long hours can be very draining. But with team support, as you and Jean know, together you will be stronger.
[Dad] Thank you, Soleille, and all your classmates for being here for us. All of you have what it takes to become medical doctors. All of you should be very proud of yourselves for this wonderful act of self sacrifice and commitment.
We love you.
Congratulations and best wishes doctors. The anatomy team is proud of each of you, and you are certainly welcome back with us at any time!
John McNamara
VTCSOM Faculty Member
Congratulations to Lindsey Dove & the VT Carilion School of Medicine class of 2020. You’ve gained much wisdom through this journey of hard work & dedication. This achievement shows your determination, strength, & commitment to become a successful doctor. Best wishes for a wonderful & fulfilling career!
Mark & Nancy Dove
Friend / Family Member
Congratulations to the Class of 2020 - wishing you continued success and many blessings for this next journey. Graduating amidst this worldwide health pandemic certainly presents challenges, but also provides opportunities in many areas of medicine. I take solace and satisfaction in the fact that you are more than prepared as VTCSOM graduates, not only to handle the challenges, but to excel. I truly look forward in following the accomplishments of the Class of 2020.
Jackie Wieland
Dean’s Council on Advancement
Steve, congratulations on receiving your medical degree, a big milestone in your life. We know how much you have sacrificed for this goal by working diligently. Your hard work finally paid off. We are so proud of your success and that you are carrying our family tradition.
Son, this is the start of your bigger dreams in your life. And we want you to remember that you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think. Best wishes for your future success!
Mom and Dad.
Hi Class of 2020!
Congratulations on all you have accomplished! I am so happy for each of you! Always remember, no matter how far you go or how long you're gone; you always have support in Roanoke!
Emily Holt Foerst
VTCSOM Office of Student Affairs
[Sister] Happy graduation. We're so proud of you. Congratulations.
[Brother] Hi, Judy. Yeah, just so proud of you. My big sister is graduating and yeah, I know it's been a while, but yeah, just so thankful that you're getting to see everything pay off and that you're moving on. You know, congrats again.
[Mom] Hi Judy. I'm so happy for you. I know you have been working so hard for today. And we all love you, you know that.
[Dad] Hi, Dr. Judy Chen. Congratulation. You know, you are not the first doctor in the family, but you are the real doctor, able to help people to cure their physical conditions. You are... we are very proud. Right?
I am so unbelievably proud of you Dr. Saway! Crazy to think of all that you have accomplished in the last four years, and I feel so honored to have been by your side every step of the way. You have proven to be a true leader and I know Charleston will be lucky to have you!
Love, Hayley
Jordan,
We are very proud of all you have accomplished. As you graduate from medical school, we are sure today will be only the first of many proud, successful moments for you.
Much love!
Grandpa Max and Joy Zalkin
Congratulations to our nephew and godson, Dr. Brian F. Saway! Proud is too small a word for how we feel about his accomplishments and we look forward to how he will continue to improve the lives of everyone he will meet. We love you and are excited to be a part of your next step in life.
Bud and Rita Michels
Friend / Family Member
I'd like to add my congratulations to those of my fellow faculty members for the class of 2020 who certainly have probably had the most interesting senior year since, perhaps, maybe the class of 1942 in medical school. I'd like to wish you all the success possible in the world. But keep in mind, always keep in mind, that you have to fight against the corporatized, computerized mechanisms of mediocrity that will confront you throughout your career and to resist them. Best wishes.
Congratulations students! It has been a pleasure working with you as your SP. I wish you much luck in your future endeavors and have great faith in you all!
Kate Ericsson
Standardized Patient
[Dad] Brian, we, your mother and I like to congratulate you on your graduation from medical school. You have shown throughout the years your perseverance and love for medicine and now that you have become a doctor, you must feel like great deal of accomplishment as we do. With these accomplishments, the road has opened for you to pursue your love in neurosurgery and we know that you will excel at it. On behalf of the family, your mother and I like to congratulate the class of 2020 for Virginia Tech Carillion medical school, Congratulations!
[All participants] WOOOO!
Dear Class of 2020,
I am an SP, standardized patient, at VTCSOM. It has been exciting and a privilege to work with you.
Every time I met each of you during an SP event, I felt honored to be looking into the future of medicine. My thought was always, "Perhaps I am looking into the face of the next scientist who will develop a cure for a disease."
When you can, please Google and read the poem "Live Each Day to the Fullest" by S. H. Payer. It has been my 'mantra' over the years. It has been a good guide for me and I pray it will be for you as well.
Sincerely,
Sue Porter
VTCSOM Staff Member
Live Each Day to the Fullest by S. H. Payer
Live each day to the fullest.
Get the most from each hour, each day, and each age of your life.
Then you can look forward with confidence, and back without regrets.
Be yourself, but be your best self.
Dare to be different and follow your own star.
Don’t be afraid to be happy and enjoy what is beautiful.
Love with all your heart and soul. Believe that those you love, love you.
When you are faced with a decision, make that decision as wisely as possible, then forget it.
The moment of absolute certainty never arrives.
Above all, remember that God helps those who help themselves.
Act as if everything depended on you and pray as if everything depended on God.
[Adam] Jordan, we're so proud of you for graduating. We're not surprised cause we knew that you could do it and we're really excited to have you back in Raleigh for the next, you know, however long your residency is, which should be like 500 years, but it'll be nice cause you'll be with us. Love you.
[Sara] Congrats, Jordan!
Congratulations to you - a graduate of the VTCSOM Class of 2020. Thank you for your desire and devoting your energy to becoming a part of the health care team - so much needed all around the world, especially this year. Wherever you go next and beyond that, please return to Roanoke for a visit. Go Hokies!
Janet M. Johnson
VTCSOM Dean's Council for Advancement
Congratulations to the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine Class of 2020! Best of luck in your future endeavors. We are proud of you! VTCSOM and Fralin Biomedical Advancement Teams
Congratulations, Class of 2020! Now more than ever, the world needs your expertise as Physician Thought Leaders. Never forget your time in the Star City, and make the most of the weeks before you start in July!
Chris McLaughlin
Alumni, class of 2017
Always a bittersweet time of year... congratulations and best wishes to a wonderful group of student as you embark on the next stage of your journey!! Remember always “I Serve” xoxo
Vydia Permashwar
VTCSOM Faculty Member
Dear Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine Graduating Class of 2020,
We enjoyed watching you learn and develop throughout your medical education and are extremely proud of all of you!!! Good luck with your training - we know you all will do an amazing job! We are always here for you if you need us.
Best Wishes,
Drs. Karp and Gentry
OBGYN Clerkship
[All] Congratulations, Mustafa! WOOOOO!
[Mom] {Michaka} I'm so proud of you Mustafa, well done.
[Dad] Congratulations Mustafa, we are so happy and excited for you. We love you.
[Speaker 3] We're so proud of you!
[Speaker 4] So proud of you.
[Speaker 5] Good job, man
[All] WOOOOOO!
What an amazing group of people, this class is truly something special. Wishing you all the best as you head into the next chapter, knowing full well you're all up for the challenge!
Billy Hay
Friend / Family Member
Congratulations to Lindsey Dove and the entire class of 2020. We wish you all the best in life to come. You make us so proud Linds. God Bless the whole class. Wish we could have been there but we will be in spirit. Love, Mark and Lucky
~Ella Rega
Friend / Family Member
Congratulations Class of 2020!
Seeing you succeed is one of the highlights of my year and I have truly missed being able to celebrate with you this spring. I am so proud of all you have accomplished with us and wish you all the best as you move on to the next step of your journey.
T. A Lucktong, MD, FACS
Associate Surgery Clerkship Director
Co-Director of Surgical Quality
Associate Professor
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
Congratulations on this enormous achievement, Malek & the VTCSOM class of 2020! Looking forward to seeing how you all change the world, one patient at a time.
Krista DeBrosse
Girlfriend
Dr. Lisa M. Crisalli: From your very first step, you’ve reached for the stars!
Your hard work, perseverance and sacrifice are only matched by your dedication, love of learning and desire to help others. With all of our love and pride we Congratulate you on your amazing accomplishment! We wish you a lifetime of fulfilling happiness in your medical career, Dr. Lisa Crisalli. May you always remain curious & compassionate!
All Our Love Always, Mom, Dad, Chris, Shawnti & all of your Hayes and Crisalli family members who are celebrating with you today! XXXXXXOOOOOO
Congratulations to the Entire VTC School of Medicine Class of 2020
Dear Graduates, I want you to know what an honor it was for me to have my 200+ paintings up along your halls a few months ago—the Africa Series, the Himalayan works, the flora and fauna.
Medicine and art are not so far apart. Artists and doctors look at systems, details, influences, and broader implications, and we try to provide inspiration and healing.
Under your Dean and Vice Dean, you’ve been trained as artists of exquisite compassion. Always remember that when you treat a patient, in some ways you also treat her family, and the family’s community, and community’s broader culture, and that culture’s place among others in our wide world.
You are doctors in a time of great need to care for these connections. The Dalai Lama of Tibet reminds us that compassion is not a luxury; it is a necessity, and without it, humanity will not survive.
Go forth with wisdom and compassion. Keep them inseparable. We are all so grateful for your hard work and we applaud your accomplishment.
Jane Lillian Vance
Artist, Community Members
To our lovely daughter Simran Sandhu and the Class of 2020 .... 'Never‑ever‑give‑up' and 'Find‑a‑way' as you all set forth today on this wonderful life journey of adventure and service
Dimple Sandhu and Baldeep Punia
[Speaker 1] Hey, congratulations Nikki. We are so proud of you, bita. What a milestone to celebrate. We love you and many, many more to come!
[Speaker 2] To you bita and the whole class of 2020: all the very best. Continue to grow, achieve and achieve their potential.
[Speaker 3] In life, don't listen to anyone only following your heart.
[All] Yeah. YAY! WOOOO We love you! We love you so much! Congrats.
[Speaker 1] Hi, Farah. This is [name] Shah from Calgary. I have known you as a little sweet and innocent girl who has now grown up to be a strong independent young woman. You took a difficult path and I am so proud of your achievements and there is no doubt that you will be an excellent doctor and I will be in safe hands. Congratulation. Love you, bita.
[Speaker 2] Hi Farah, this is Naurine Shah from Calgary. I am so happy for you. You've made us all so proud. Congratulations for setting a great example for all of us in our family. We're all looking up to you and wish you all the best for today and forever and for whatever comes your way. You totally deserve this, sweetheart. Take care and have a great day.
[Speaker 3] Hi Farah, congratulations on your achievement. It was not an easy thing to do and we were very proud of you and we love you lots.
[Speaker 4] Hi Farah. We're really happy about your accomplishments and your patients are going to be really lucky and happy to have you as a doctor. We love you and congratulations.
Congratulations to each and every member of the class of 2020! All best wishes for the future! It's been a pleasure to serve you in the VTC Med School Library.
Harry Hoyt
VTCSOM Staff Member
You are all amazing, I'm so proud to have known you and so excited to see everything you go on to accomplish!!
~ Grace Lee
Student, class of 2021
Congratulations to my dearest friend Farah Shah on your graduation from medical school! You inspire me everyday and are a beacon of hope in this world. I am in deep admiration of your generous heart and spirit, and of your perseverance over the years.
Not only have you been the most thoughtful and supportive friend to those in your life, but you have never ceased to consider the experiences of vulnerable persons and communities at large. I am in awe of your wholehearted passion for your research and your commitment to highlighting issues linked to health education and literacy.
Today we celebrate the culmination of your journey to being a physician and the incredible person that you are! I love you so much and am so proud of you. I'm forever grateful to have you as my best friend, trusted confidant, and travel buddy. Wishing you the best always. UCLA is so lucky to have you, and I have no doubt that you will continue to shine there as the light that you are!
Love, Nadine
Nadine Skaff
Friend / Family Member
We are the family of Dr. Stephen Owen and Dr. Lena Turkheimer. We want to congratulate the exemplary work for the class of 2020!
[All] WOOOOOOO! You did it! Congratulations!
The journey was not an easy one but you held on. Congratulations our heroes for all the sacrifices that you made to reach this point.
Aminata Yarmah
Friend / Family Member
To earn the title “Doctor,”
is an honor, it is true. Fruition of
a lifelong dream, achieved by a few.
It’s a journey that has brought you,
to this time and to this place,
where you can make a difference
with each challenge that you face.
And when a Doctor cares as much,
as you sincerely do, the world becomes
a better place, no doubt, because of you!
Congratulations, Ben! Your long journey of hard work, commitment, and lots of sacrifices have paid off. We are so proud of you and all your success as you start your; career. We love you!
Jourdan and Cooper
Class of 2020, you all hold a special place in my heart. From being one of the first faces you met on orientation morning until now, I have grown to know each of you. It is an honor to say congratulations. I am extremely proud of you and there is no doubt that each of you will be phenomenal physicians.
With Love and Well Wishes, Jellie
VTCSOM Staff Member
Hey, class of 2020. I just wanted to say congratulations to all of you. You're a great class. You came into VTCSOM super passionate about research. I think most of you are leaving that way as well. I know you're all gonna do fabulous things. I love hearing from you, so please stay in touch and keep moving us forward. Take care and good luck.
Congratulations to the entire class of 2020. You are all entering into a truly noble profession.
Congratulations to Jordan Taylor. For us, this has been a continuing achievement for the third generation of Doctors, although the first MD in the family.
Friend / Family Member
Congratulations class of 2020. You did it, wooo! I'm seriously so proud of each and every one of you. I'm especially proud of my fiance, Dan Park. Thank you for everything that you've done for us the past four years and I can't wait to call VCU our new home. I can't wait to see what else is in store for the rest of you the next three, five, seven, and 10 years even. Let's always keep in touch and I hope that you can find a creative way to celebrate this amazing milestone. Congratulations once again. I love you, Dan. I love you, Class of 2020. Bye!
Congratulations Jordan. I am so proud of you and your success in Medical School and Life. Your devotion and sincerity come through in all you do. I have no doubt this will continue through the years and all your dreams will come true. I love you!!
Susan Zalkin
Proud grandmother of Graduate
Congratulations Sanaz! We love you so much and are so unbelievably proud of you. We can’t wait to see all you achieve in this next stage.
~Love, DAD, MOM, AND SANAM
Congratulations Class of 2020! You have worked so hard and we are in awe of you! We know that you will set the bar high in the medical community and accomplish great things. We celebrate this amazing achievement with you! Justine McGiboney, we love you and are so proud of you!
John and Michelle Miller
Friend / Family Member
Congratulations Hokie grads! The faculty of Virginia Tech are so proud of all you have achieved. Of course today is only a brief pause for celebration. We know you're going to continue to learn and provide the leadership this world needs. More than fifty years ago, John F. Kennedy noted that leadership and learning are indispensible to each other. So, while we are confident you have a solid foundation to build from, our hope is in your on-going commitment to learning and leadership. I encourage you to fully embrace Virginia Tech's motto Ut Prosim (That I may serve). The world is counting on you. Congratulations!
Congratulations Farah! We are so proud of you and all of the hard work you’ve put in to get to this point. Can’t wait to see you do great things!
Love, Jess and Ruth
Friend / Family Member
Congratulations, Tom! We are so proud of you Tom. We love you Tom!
Dear Brian Saway and the class of 2020 - Congratulations on this tremendous and impressive feat!
Brian, we are so incredibly proud of your drive, dedication and perseverance in making your dream come true. We wish you the very best for the next chapter in your medical education journey. Felicitaciones B! With all our love and blessings
~ Papa Gonzalo, Uncle Roger, Tia Mireya, Sofia and Olivia
Kathi Gray and Kathy Roberts would like to say “Congratulations to the class of 2020!” You all have done great things, and are on your way to even greater accomplishments. Good luck to all of you and may God Bless you in your work. We want to give a special wish to our son, Cody Roberts and daughter-in-law, Abby Winn.
Kathi Gray and Kathy Roberts
Friend / Family Member
Hello, ‘Dr. Squidge”. I love you and I'm so glad that I got to go on this journey with you. From the time I met you, you're the, you've always been the smartest person I've known, and I've always believed in you, and I knew that you would one day achieve this dream. And I'm just so proud of you. You've worked so hard and you deserve every accolade that comes your way. You're an amazing person and you're brilliant and super competent, and I love you, and I can't wait to celebrate with you further.
Congratulations to Brendon Fusco and to the graduates! Your determination and hard work paid off. You did it! We are so proud of you. Good luck with all of your future endeavors!
Mr. and Mrs. Dominick Fusco
Friend / Family Member
Congratulations to the entire Class of 2020 but especially to Dr. Anisha Chada! So proud of you and I know you are going to be beloved by your patients and provide the best, most compassionate care! xoxo - Liv
Olivia Slack
Friend / Family Member