photo by Alan Dang, 4th year medical student

The 139 graduates in the School of Medicine's Class of 2005 celebrated commencement May 16 in a ceremony that, even with a famous actor from the TV show "Scrubs" as a speaker, remained intimate and personal.

Speakers who addressed the class of 2005 emphasized the values of adversity and individual challenge in forging a successful medical career.

Dean David A. Kessler, M.D., introduced the ceremony by speaking of the nature of healing, failure, and fear. "Medicine is a covenant of faith and an article of trust, not merely a business contract or an exchange of services," said Dr. Kessler. "Healing is hard work, not a mystical laying on of hands"

The privilege of healing offers "the Churchillian promise" of blood, sweat, toil, and tears, continued Dr. Kessler. "You are a healer who fights for every inch against the odds." Dr. Kessler addressed contemporary controversies when he revealed, "I am fearful from stem cell to birth control to abortion and, this past year, to the last days of life, there is another presence in the (examining) room -- politicians. I do not begrudge any politician his or her beliefs, but unlike you, they are not trained to practice medicine."

Dr. Kessler introduced John C. McGinley from the television series Scrubs as an "actor, producer, and most importantly, a father." McGinley, the 2005 National Buddy Walk Spokesman for the National Down Syndrome Society, drew upon a book written for his son Max that neatly outlined the path for new doctors.

"You purchased a ticket on your untalkative dream train," said McGinley. "You have to pay in the currency of sacrifice, hard work, and determination. No baggage is allowed, including doubts, issues, fears, and critics."

"Guts achieve our dreams," advised McGinley. Ignore "the laughter, ridicule, and disbelief that you are on a fool's errand. These sounds should not deter you. The reward is having the guts to catch the train. Get on board the untalkative dream train. Get on board baby. Get on board."

McGinley's exhortations were followed by the wry humor of Peter de Blank in the senior address. De Blank's melodramatic homage to the patient Annie elicited a raucous response from graduates, whose ministrations to the CPR dummy are an essential rite of passage in medical school.

In his depiction of medical education from the initial awkward acquisition of technique to the first terrifying encounters with real patients, de Blank stressed the critical role of mistakes.

"Medicine is built on a history of stumbles," said de Blank. "I found we must be willing to make mistakes over and over again to learn. What is learned from mistakes? A dose of humility. A lesson of humanity."

"Mistakes are inevitable and necessary," admitted de Blank. "After four years, I see lines of uncertainty and concern on the faces of doctors. But Annie taught me to build confidence. I wish us the ability to make mistakes and be willing to learn from them."

Addressing graduates before the presentation of the senior class, Dean Kessler noted, "You are about to enter a new world. Cynicism is as much an enemy as disease. It is a world of uncertainties. A world of verities, but no sureties. Will you be a healer? I wish you mornings of great promise. I wish you the future."

Also during the ceremony, Vice Dean for Education David Irby presented he Kaiser Awards for Excellence in Teaching to:

• Dr. Denise Davis, Department of Medicine
  
• Dr. Ronald Goldschmidt in the Department of Family and Community Medicine
  
• Dr. Gupreet Dhaliwal from the Department of Medicine
  
• Dr. Henry Goldberg in the Department of Radiology
  
• Dr. Timothy Evans in the UCSF/Fresno Medical Education Program.

The Kaiser awards were established 30 years ago with funds provided by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Any member of the faculty who is active in teaching medical students or residents is eligible for nomination. The awards are particularly significant to those who receive them because only students and residents may submit nominations.

Senior class teaching awards were given by the graduating class to:

• Dr. Mohammad Diab from the Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery
  
• Dr. Henry Goldberg from the Department of Radiology
  
• Dr. Anthony Luke in Orthopaedic Surgery & Family & Community Medicine
  
• Dr. Bradley Sharpe, in Medicine
  
• Dr. Lawrence M. Tierney, Jr., in Medicine

The graduating class also named these as recipients of this year's Teaching Excellence Awards for Cherished Housestaff:

• Dr. Ramin Jamshidi in Surgery
  
• Dr. Brian Missett in Radiation Oncology
  
• Dr. Sangtae Park in Urology
  
• Dr. Brian Shaffer, in Obstetrics & Gynecology
  
• Dr. Michael Yeh, in Surgery

In addition, the Gold-Headed Cane-awarded at the end of each school year to the senior medical student judged by classmates and the faculty as best exemplifying the qualities of a "true physician"-was presented by Senior Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education Susan D. Wall M.D, president of the Gold-Headed Cane Society, to Michael LaFemina. LaFemina will be continuing at UCSF in postgraduate training for internal medicine.

In a poignant moment, a degree was awarded posthumously to Farhad Naji, who died suddenly last August. His sisters and mother accepted the honor, tearfully.

by Peter Bejger