Eric J. Nestler, MD, PhD
The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences—in recognition of the enormous growth and importance of its master’s programs—hosted its Inaugural Master’s Commencement ceremony Wednesday, May 11, at David Geffen Hall in Lincoln Center. It was the first time that the conferring of MS degrees was not combined with the MD, PhD, and MD/PhD Commencement.
The presentation of degree candidates was led by Marta Filizola, PhD, newly appointed Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Filizola, an expert in computational biophysics, is also Professor of Structural and Chemical Biology.
Dennis S. Charney, MD, presents Commencement Speaker Laurie Ann Garrett with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.
Addressing a jubilant crowd of graduates, their families and friends, and Mount Sinai faculty and staff, Dr. Filizola said: “The world-class faculty and staff who have put so much time and effort into teaching and mentoring you to make you stronger and more competitive professionals are also exceedingly proud of what you have achieved. We are all here today to celebrate and to reward your hard work and dedication. It is a great honor for me to grant my very first master’s degrees to such an exceptional class as yours.”
A total of 148 master’s degrees were awarded in Biomedical Sciences, Biostatistics, Clinical Research, Genetic Counseling, Health Care Delivery Leadership, and Public Health. Two programs—the Master of Science in Biostatistics and the Master of Science in Health Care Delivery Leadership—graduated their first cohorts of students.
Marta Filizola, PhD, with Grand Marshal Basil G. Hanss, PhD, Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Career Development, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
“By choosing a health-related profession, you have the training and ability to do something valuable, something that truly matters to society,” Eric J. Nestler, MD, PhD, Dean for Academic and Scientific Affairs, told the graduates. “We may all work in different parts of the biomedical world and use our skills and talents to attack problems from very different perspectives, but one thing that we have in common is that we are all integral parts of the health care system.” Dr. Nestler also serves as Nash Family Professor and Chair, Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, and Director of The Friedman Brain Institute.
Among the first cohorts receiving a Master of Science in Health Care Delivery Leadership were, from left: Richard Frieden, MD, MS; Jena Simon, NP, MS; Joanne Stone, MD, MS; Robert Lookstein, MD, MS; and Robin Maley, RN, MPH, MS.
Laurie Ann Garrett, Senior Fellow for Global Health, Council on Foreign Relations, an expert in emerging and re-emerging diseases, bioterrorism, and public health and their effects on foreign policy and national security, and who, as a distinguished journalist, has reported from the front lines on several dozen health epidemics around the globe, received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. In conferring the degree, Dennis S. Charney, MD, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and President for Academic Affairs, Mount Sinai Health System, recognized Ms. Garrett’s “clear and thoughtful examination of the greatest health challenges of our time, and her indelible influence on the craft of science journalism.”
Ms. Garrett, who also delivered the commencement address, cited encouraging global statistics for malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV-AIDS, and noted an overall significant drop in the death rate of children under 5 years of age. “So, let’s keep going,” she told graduates who plan to serve the global community. “Get out there and join the worldwide army of public health advocates. Go forth and save lives.”