Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar (WCM-Q) celebrated the dedication and hard work of the world’s newest doctors during an online ceremony for the school’s Class of 2020.
The ceremony was held online to observe physical distancing rules, but that didn’t stop friends and family of the new physicians, along with members of faculty and staff from WCM-Q, to log in and watch each new doctor receive their degrees virtually from the College Dean, Dr Javaid Sheikh.
Out of the 38 new graduates, 13 are Qatari. Twenty three graduates are women and 15 are men. The graduates comprise of 13 different nationalities and are the first class to have completed the WCM-Q innovative six-year medical programme, which covers both pre-medical and medical curriculums.
Dr Sheikh paid tribute to the graduates and also thanked the leadership of Qatar Foundation – its chairperson HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and vice chairperson and CEO HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani.
In his message to the Class of 2020, Dr Sheikh mentioned how the recent events underlined for everyone and for the new doctors how medicine makes more demands on people than on any other profession – and how all of them answer the calling for a reason.
Being a doctor takes single-minded discipline and a life-long dedication. While it can be extremely challenging at times, it also brings far greater fulfillment than any other profession that I can think of. You are ready now to go out and be the healers for those in need of your help; all of us wish you the very best in this most noble of endeavours.
WCM-Q has now produced 422 doctors, working in hospitals in Qatar and across the world. The latest cohort of doctors will now begin their residencies – the first stage of their careers – in leading hospitals in Qatar and the United States. Student speaker and Class of 2020 graduate Dr Fawzi Saleem Zghyer reiterated what Dr Sheikh said, adding that being a doctor took more than academic excellence.
To attend to those who suffer and in need, you have to be more than a doctor. You have to be a healer. And to be a healer, not only do you have to put on a white coat, but you have to know when to take it off.
Listen actively, empathise, reflect, and act. Make your patients your one and only priority and be their advocate. Talk to your intubated ICU patients, they may be able to hear you. Reassure but never give false hope. Be kind, be you.
The online graduation ceremony was also joined by Dr Augustine Choi, Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, who said that the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the vital role that doctors and other healthcare professionals have in society.
You are graduating at such an important and unprecedented moment in history. At no other time has there been a disease that has affected so many countries around the world – on such a large scale – while we have the technology to gauge its impact – in real time.
He said the long after this pandemic is over, doctors have the potential to make a real and lasting impact on medicine and science, especially in the MENA region.
You are graduates of Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar, and it’s in your DNA. You’ve received exceptional training from leading doctors and scientists, and you are poised for success.
Dr Choi challenged the graduates to use their talents and abilities to shape the ‘new normal’ and to find novel ways to help patients. He told them to be bold and innovative, to think big and find creative ways to be the best doctor that they can be.
On behalf of Weill Cornell Medicine, I wish you the very best in all your future endeavours. And I look forward to hearing about all that you will achieve as Weill Cornell alumni. Many, many congratulations! Now go make us proud.
For more information about WCM-Q and their medical programmes, visit qatar-weill.cornell.edu.
