June 7, 2007

(DAVIS, Calif.) — After four years of rigorous academic training, balanced with hands-on clinical experience, 86 graduates of the UC Davis School of Medicine class of 2007 will receive their Doctor of Medicine degrees June 9. The ceremony marks the 35th anniversary of the school's first graduating class.

Commencement ceremonies will be held at 10 a.m. at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts on the UC Davis campus.

Mark E. Servis will deliver this year's commencement address, entitled “Mystery, Myth and Meaning in Medicine.” Servis is professor of clinical psychiatry and vice chair for education in the Department of Psychiatry and Behaviorial Sciences.

Student Keri Hyatt was selected by her peers to deliver the speech for the Class of 2007. Her talk on “Becoming Physicians” will focus on how the graduates “will be taking on a new role in society and a responsibility for the health and well-being of people,” she says. “We've all gained not only the skills necessary to practice medicine, but the humanness that makes us physicians.”

In addition to medical degrees, 11 master's degrees in public health will be awarded during the ceremony.

A majority of the graduates will be continuing on to residencies in internal medicine. The second most common residency program is pediatrics, with family practice and general surgery as the third most common.

Some of this year's graduates say they're now keenly aware of the demands of the medical profession and have honed their interpersonal skills. They speak of their inspiration to be leaders in medicine.

Reza Farokhpay, a native of Tehran, Iran, who was raised in Austin, Texas and Orange County, Calif., says UC Davis prepared him well “both in the scientific and humanistic aspects of medicine” for his upcoming residency in psychiatry at UC San Diego.

“I have been very fortunate to work with tremendous physicians and mentors who have provided an example of the type of doctor I aim to become,” he says. “I came to medical school hoping to be challenged and inspired by bright and interesting individuals and to establish friendships that would last me a lifetime. I can honestly say I have experienced all of this.” Farokhpay envisions a career in a teaching or academic role, as well as working with adolescents and underserved populations.

Mihal Emberton, who grew up in Pleasanton, Calif., spent her postgraduate years gaining experience in research, public health and teaching before becoming a medical student at UC Davis.

“The thing I've loved about UC Davis is that there are so many opportunities to enhance your education,” says Emberton, who will stay at UC Davis for a one-year residency in preliminary surgery before applying for a residence program in orthopaedic surgery.

“Although the availability of student-run free clinics allowed many students to work with patients from day one of medical school, I liked being in the ER and was able to spend much of my free time learning in an environment that really excited me,” she says. “I also appreciated the continuous presence of the strong support system of staff, caring faculty, college and student deans, advisors and my extraordinary classmates.”

In the future, Emberton would like to continue working with students in academic medicine as well as treating patients.

“What has prepared me most for my career as a physician is the further development of my ability to think, question and find answers,” she says.

After graduation, Mindy Young-Spint, treasurer of the Class of 2007 and a native of Corona, Calif., will start her residency at UC Davis Medical Center in general surgery. She plans to become a plastic surgeon to perform sexual reassignment surgeries and other general cosmetic surgeries.

Spint received a bachelor's degree from UC Davis in psychobiology. At the School of Medicine, she worked with student groups to incorporate into the school's curriculum courses on health topics related to women and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

“I've had the opportunity to work with some of the finest physicians in the country and I've also made lifelong relationships with friends and colleagues,” Young-Spint says. “I know that staying at UC Davis for my residency training will also be an amazing time.”

Medical students aren't the only scholars to graduate on June 9. The UC Davis Family Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant Program will award 32 physician assistant certificates. Two nurses will earn both a family nurse practitioner and a physician assistant certificate. And five more nurses will be presented with family nurse practitioner and physician assistant certificates, as well as a Master's of Science in Nursing degree. The master's in nursing degree program is a partnership with California State University, Sacramento.