Voices From the Class of 2026 at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai’s Commencement

May 12, 2026 | Featured, School

Families and friends of the class of 2026 of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai filed into the David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center on Tuesday, May 5, to celebrate one thing: Commencement for the graduating class.

The Icahn School of Medicine granted a total of 192 degrees at the 57th Commencement: 110 MD, 54 PhD, 16 MD/PhD, 4 MD/MPH, and 8 MD/MSCR.

It takes courage for the many medical and graduate students to make it through school, and it will take much more as they embark on their next steps of residency and postdoctoral training, said Eric J. Nestler, MD, PhD, the Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean of the Icahn School of Medicine, speaking to the audience.

“For scientists, that means being courageous in tackling the most complicated scientific questions facing humanity,” said Dr. Nestler. “Courageous in not being intimidated by failures or by the enormity of bold and risky undertakings.

“For physicians, that means being courageous in assuming responsibility for your patients’ health, even when confronting the most difficult cases,” Dr. Nestler added. “And being courageous and compassionate in comforting patients and their families when you do not have an answer, when there is no cure, and sometimes not even a treatment.”

The road ahead might be fraught, but the Icahn School graduates are well-prepared to navigate obstacles and ultimately improve society, said Brendan G. Carr, MD, MA, MS, Chief Executive Officer of the Mount Sinai Health System. “I think you will discover. I know you will cure. And decrease health disparities and make the world a better place,” he said. “And I know we’re going to take credit for it because we trained you. And we’re almost as proud of you as your parents are in the back.”

The Commencement student speakers echoed sentiments of optimism for the future, but also acknowledged what it takes to get there.

“If I had to name the first theme of tonight, it would be this: gratitude,” said graduating student Katrina Nietsch, who represented the MD class. “Gratitude for the patients who trusted us before we had earned it—who let us fumble through our first histories and physicals, who answered our questions with grace, who shared their stories.” She called on the graduating class to be proud of what they have achieved, and to be hopeful for what is to come.

“We tend to focus on the first or last author and forget the most important scientists of all: ‘et al.’” said graduating student Nesteene Param, who represented the PhD class. “All of us have been ‘et al.’ We have all contributed to meaningful ideas and pushed them forward. Every person in this room, and every scientist we acknowledge in our work, has spent thousands of hours building the knowledge that drives our projects.”

The slideshow below gathers the stories of six graduating students on what it was like being at the Icahn School of Medicine, and what advice they would give their past selves or future students.

Matthew Challman, MD, PhD

Next step: Neurology residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital

What was it like starting at the Icahn School of Medicine?

It was 2018. It was very exciting to come here to finally take the next step, to be involved in medicine and research, to do something that I had wanted to do for a really long time.

What was it like going through your program during the pandemic?

I had just finished our first year of medical school, and as I was starting the PhD part of my program, COVID-19 hit. It was a stressful time, being isolated. But I also got to really experience how medicine and research could improve and impact the world. I got to see that through the discoveries and advances made during the pandemic.

Any advice you would give your first-year self?

Just drink it all in. It’s a long journey. It will be a hard journey at times, but it’s a really exciting experience.

Jessica Crowley, MD, PhD

Next step: Neurology residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital

What was it like starting at the Icahn School?

It was so overwhelming and exciting. You’re meeting so many new people. You’re about to start a whole new career journey. I remember my White Coat Ceremony, and it was so special to have my old friends there, family, and also new friends. And now, I’m at the end of this journey, and I get to call those new friends my “old friends” and start the next phase.

What was it like transitioning back to MD training after your PhD?

It was very challenging going from the PhD years back to medical school. It felt like I had lost almost all of the clinical knowledge I had built in the first years, but the residents, attendings, and my medical school peers were so supportive in making that transition smooth.

Any advice you would give your first-year self?

Have fun! M1 is your time to explore. The world is your oyster to have every new experience.

Lauren Dierdorff, PhD in Neuroscience

Next step: An associate focusing on biotech and life sciences at an investment bank

What was it like starting at the Icahn School?

I started in August 2020, so it was pretty intense due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Right away, I made some really good friends with my cohort, plus I had already been at Mount Sinai previously for a summer program, so I knew some people already. It felt like my home away from home.

Who helped inspire you when faced with challenges?

I am in neuroscience, and in science, experiments fail—most of them. I just kept pursuing my goals, and learned from my lab mates, my cohort mates, and my mentors. They taught me to keep on persevering.

Any advice you would give your first-year self?

You will face the impostor syndrome, but know that it is not real. You can do it; you have all the resources and people supporting you. And one day, you’ll be here: at Commencement!

Sunjay Letchuman, MD

Next step: Anesthesiology residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital

What was it like starting at the Icahn School?

I was the only person in my class from Louisiana, and I studied business in college. I remembered being uncertain about whether or not I would fit into my very accomplished class. But as soon as I got to Mount Sinai, I realized that everyone was treated as an equal here. It didn’t matter whether you came from a small school or an Ivy League school, everyone started at ground zero together. I remember being really comforted by that camaraderie.

A cherished memory during your time in school?

On my first day in New York City, I didn’t know anyone at Mount Sinai. That night, I went to the gym at Aron Hall and decided to introduce myself to one other person there. His name was Christos, a PhD student from Cyprus. When I told him I was hoping to meet people, he was incredibly warm and welcoming and even invited me to a Mount Sinai social event he was helping organize in Central Park the next day. The event introduced me to dozens of fellow students, and my friendship with Christos only grew from there. We ended up living in Aron Hall for three years until he completed his PhD. He’s now in Boston, so we’ll be in the same city when I start residency!

Any important lesson you’ve learned about becoming a doctor?

The most important thing about becoming a doctor is building trust with patients, so that they will allow you to walk alongside them on their journey toward recovery. Building trust with patients first requires competence. You have to study really hard to learn thousands of medical concepts, so you have the knowledge to help people when they’re hurt. And the second part about building trust is being kind and empathetic toward various patients’ experiences. You want to be able to walk a mile in your patient’s shoes. I’m grateful that Mount Sinai taught me how to become a competent, kind, and compassionate doctor.

Farimata (Fari) Mbaye-Rolph, MD

Next step: Anesthesiology residency at Weill Cornell Medicine

What was it like starting at the Icahn School?

First year, I remember being so scared. I was so nervous that it was going to be too much, and that I wasn’t going to have time for friends. I was then surprised by the wonderful community and the flexibility of the classes. It was a really cool time to be learning the things that I had wanted to learn since I was five years old, when I knew I wanted to become a doctor.

A moment where you overcame a tough time in school?

It was during my third-year rotations, it was February—deep winter—and I’m from the south, so I’m not a person who enjoys the cold. I was on my pediatric rotation, getting up super early, going home, studying, my dog was sick—everything was stacking up and crashing down on me at once. But I made it with the support of my husband and friends, who picked me up, as well as a wonderful conference that reinspired me and reminded me why I love medicine. By May, I was back on my feet. Those were a tough couple of months when I really had to lean on the people who knew me the best and cared about me.

Any advice you would give your first-year self?

Enjoy it more. Enjoy the company of people around you more. Enjoy the experiences more. Spend 10 extra minutes with that patient. Spend 10 extra minutes with that friend. The first year is a beautiful time in our lives that we will never have again. Live in that moment, and stop worrying so much.

Jeury Veloz, PhD in Biomedical Sciences

Next step: Microbiology postdoctoral fellow at the Icahn School of Medicine

What was it like starting at the Icahn School?

My first year at the Icahn School of Medicine was one of resource discovery and learning about my interests in research in biomedical sciences—in infectious diseases specifically. I started in 2019, during the pandemic, so it was a really interesting time for students like myself studying virology. It was a very unique experience that I look fondly upon.

What were some challenging periods during your time in school?

In the beginning, it was adjusting to life as a student during the pandemic. Then throughout the PhD years, there were challenges in research where you had hiccups throughout. But with the help of my mentors and peers, I was able to overcome the challenges to get me to the point where I am graduating today.

Any advice you would give your first-year self?

Have an open mind and really put yourself out there. Make yourself uncomfortable if you have to. Put yourself in labs and experiences within the school that you might not have thought to experience previously. Put yourself out there to learn more and grow as a student.

Navigate with the arrows to learn more about the Class of 2026 and their time in medical and graduate school.