Dr. Nestler also touched on how the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of public health and disease prevention and then took the audience through the history of both concepts within the United States. He noted that increased attention to health and well-being has had noticeable effects—such as the significant decrease in infant mortality in the United States from 40 percent in 1850 to under one percent in 2024. Likewise, in 1850, life expectancy was 40 years, but by 2020, this number had doubled to 80 years. Dr. Nestler reassured the graduates that they are prepared for the challenges ahead and that he is sure they are going to improve health outcomes, both locally and globally.

Dr. Nestler then introduced the School’s honorary degree recipient, Sandro Galea, MD, MPH, DrPH, The Robert A. Know Professor and Dean of Boston University School of Public Health. The degree was presented to Dr. Galea by Carol Horowitz, MD, MPH, Dean for Gender Equity at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Horowitz spoke about Dr. Galea’s journey in academic leadership, his extensive research—including his time as a field physician in Somalia working with Doctors Without Borders—and how he is a trusted resource to key organizations, such as the World Health Organization and the World Economic Forum.

Dr. Galea began his remarks by reminding the graduates to thank their friends and family who supported them throughout their academic journey. He then shared a story about an interview in 1996 with then U.S. President Bill Clinton, who commented on a news story about potential alien life on Mars from a meteorite that landed on Earth. The story was serious enough to warrant further inspection from scientists, who found no evidence of aliens. Dr. Galea emphasized how this is a good example of how we all want to build a better world and how science helps us get there. He expressed admiration for the flexibility of science to even consider wild ideas, and how new information can change the world in an instant. Dr. Galea connected this to many global challenges today. He encouraged all the graduates to follow the pillars of epistemic humility, radical compassion, and reform through reason in their careers ahead.

The next speaker was Marta Filizola, PhD, Dean of the Graduate School, who congratulated the Class of 2024. Dr. Filizola explained how students in each major will play a role in advancing science, health, and medicine. She pointed out that the graduates will be called on to handle complex bioethical challenges and to counsel health care professionals. Dr. Filizola noted how the diversity of our graduating class provides a variety of perspectives to improve science and the capabilities of medicine. She ended her remarks by reminding students that they will always be members of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai community.

Kiran Prakash Nagdeo, BDS, MPH, was the School’s student speaker this year. Kiran discussed her journey to the Master of Public Health Program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, which began when she met Emma Benn, DrPH, Founder of the Center for Scientific Diversity. Dr. Benn encouraged Kiran to integrate her oral health experience into a public health career. Kiran reflected on how this graduating class shares a common goal to advance human health and contribute to the well-being of society. Kiran spoke of how the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai provided opportunities for mentorship, professional development, and practical experience that will make this a reality. Kiran reiterated Dr. Filizola’s statement about the benefit of the diversity and said that it enriched all their studies at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences granted a total of 176 degrees to students across nine programs. Students from several programs received additional awards for their achievements. The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences will be excited to see how these graduates use their degrees to improve health, science, and medicine. For more information about the ceremony, read the 2024 Commencement Ceremony program. Congrats to the Class of 2024!