New physicians at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine received their diplomas Saturday, May 18, at the school’s 50th annual commencement. Congratulations to Reise Malone, of Manteno, daughter of Michael and Stacy Malone, who now will begin her Family Medical Residency/Delnor Northwestern McGaw/NMH/VA-IL.
The ceremony, at the Performing Arts Center at the University of Illinois – Springfield, celebrated the achievements of the graduates and featured speeches from faculty members, alumni, and administrators. A total of 79 students received medical degrees. It was the school’s largest class of graduating physicians and included SIU’s charter class of Lincoln Scholars, who completed four years of medical training focused on rural health care in downstate communities.
SIU School of Medicine Dean and Provost Jerry Kruse, MD, MSPH, awarded diplomas to the medical students, and Daniel Mahony, PhD, president of Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, conferred the degrees.
John Mellinger, MD, was the commencement speaker. Mellinger is vice president of the American Board of Surgery and professor emeritus in SIU Medicine’s Departments of Surgery and Medical Education. He touched upon the importance of discipline, altruism, and a focus on meaning as the young physicians embark on their new careers.
A doctor should have a deeper sense of purpose in their work beyond titles, awards, and reputation, Mellinger said. Recognize the nobility in service, in treating patients with empathy and compassion, especially those who are marginalized or overlooked.
“The beauty of your professional calling is that you will be able to do this daily. My advice would be to lean into this every chance your energies allow… Help a nurse make up a soiled bed, get a patient a glass of water, notice the grieving loved one at a bedside, and take your hand off the doorknob. Sit down and be silent and present with them.”
Class of ’24 Chair Giuseppe Maiocco, MD, recounted the trials faced by the class due to the pandemic but emphasized his peers’ resilience and adaptability. He also highlighted the class’ commitment to friendship and cohesiveness, a testament to their ability to maintain strong interpersonal bonds amidst adversity.
“We had to acknowledge there was no script to follow, that we could wallow or roll up our sleeves, that we possessed in ourselves the ability to craft our own experiences, to meet our own goals, to become our own advocates. There is no better lesson than to find you have agency despite difficult circumstance.”
The new SIU physicians will begin residency training in their chosen specialties in June.