MD, PhD, and Dual Degree Commencement | Icahn School of Medicine

COMMENCEMENT
- MD, PhD, Dual Degree Commencement
- Master’s Commencement
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Celebrating the 56th Commencement Ceremony

The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai held its 56^th Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 8, at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall.

The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai celebrated its 56^th Commencement Ceremony by honoring the Class of 2025’s academic and research achievements, its commitment to compassionately care for patients, and its determination to pursue scientific and medical advancements.

Highlights of the MD, PhD, and Dual Degree Ceremony

In his opening address, Mount Sinai Health System Chief Executive Officer Brendan G. Carr, MD, MA, MS, told the graduates, “We need resilient, optimistic, compassionate leaders in clinical care, in research, and in education, so that we can focus on our true north of caring for our patients, taking care of the communities and neighborhoods that we come from, and really leading the world.”

The ceremony marked lifetime milestones for both the graduates and their Dean Dennis S. Charney, MD, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean of the Icahn School of Medicine, is stepping down as Dean after 18 years leading the School. Dr. Charney said his tenure has been “one of the great joys of my life—my own research has thrived, I have witnessed the awesome accomplishments of our students—you—the leadership of our brilliant faculty, celebrated our scientific breakthroughs, and the cures, yes cures, we have delivered for so many patients locally and around the world.” Dr. Charney will remain on the faculty to continue his research into mood and anxiety disorders.

He praised the Class of 2025 for demonstrating exceptional promise to become great physicians, making scientific discoveries that shed light on human disease, and advocating for human rights and equal opportunity, while urging the graduates to constantly build their resilience skills to help them confront both professional and personal hurdles. “Being a doctor and scientist is hard; it can take a personal toll. So, as important as it is for you to care for your patients, you must also care for yourself,” said Dr. Charney.

Incoming Interim Dean Eric J. Nestler, MD, PhD, said it was “the privilege of a lifetime for me to succeed Dr. Charney.”

Dr. Nestler noted that the Class of 2025 is entering science and medicine at a challenging time, particularly due to announced cutbacks in National Institutes of Health research funding. “This is a threat not only to scientific progress, but also to the future of our health care, as well as to a vibrant economy. After all, science is the very foundation of medicine,” Dr. Nestler said. “As physicians and scientists, our allegiance is to humanity—to apply biomedical research to better understand disease so that we can end suffering, heal patients, and save lives.”

Eric Topol, MD, Director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, delivered the Commencement Address, urging the Class of 2025 to maintain its curiosity, both in scientific inquiry and patient care. “Curiosity is not confined to the laboratory; it is equally essential in the daily practice of medicine. For clinicians, curiosity distinguishes between a routine, almost automatic approach and a practice filled with anticipation for new challenges, learning opportunities, and the unique individuals they encounter,” Dr. Topol said. “Let your curiosity be your guiding star, infusing your daily practice with experience and meaning.”

Dr. Topol received an honorary degree from the Icahn School of Medicine. Other honorary degree recipients were Mary Woolley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Research!America, a nonprofit alliance that advocates for medical and health research; Luigi Naldini, MD, PhD, Professor of Cell and Tissue Biology, and Gene and Cell Therapy at San Raffaele University School of Medicine; and George Yancopoulos, MD, PhD, Co-Founder, Co-Chairman, President, and Chief Scientific Officer of the biotech company Regeneron. Dr. Charney also received an honorary degree for his visionary leadership in medical education, championing translational science that has improved patient care, and making fundamental contributions to the scientific understanding of anxiety, fear, depression, and resilience.

The Icahn School of Medicine granted a total of 173 degrees to graduates in the following programs: 95 MD, 55 PhD, 23 Dual Degree (13 MD-PhD, 4 MD/Master of Public Health; 6 MD/Master of Science in Clinical Research). In addition to graduating with high distinction, the Class of 2025 has made scientific discoveries that have advanced the understanding of complex diseases of the brain such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, and schizophrenia, as well as the pathogenesis of infectious agents; and identified causes and treatments for cancer, diabetes, and inflammatory and heart diseases.

The Class has also worked to improve community health around the globe and has provided free health care to local patients in need through the East Harlem Health Outreach Partnership.

The Class of 2025 joins a network of highly accomplished graduates. The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai’s alumni are known the world over for their clinical and research excellence, altruism, and integrity.

The 2025 Commencement Ceremony program is available to view and download.

Commencement Week Activities

Achievement Awards

On Wednesday, May 7, the Icahn School of Medicine honored members of the Class of 2025 at the Achievement Awards. The awards celebrate outstanding achievement in research, medical education, community service, and global health.

The 2025 Achievement Ceremony program is available to view and download.