On Thursday, May 4, the 2023 Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine’s graduating class of 279 physicians will trade the medical school white coat they received when they entered the college for their resident coat, as we celebrate our grads’ next chapter.
This year’s graduating class showed strength, leadership and compassion throughout the course of a unique and challenging college career, not only personally, but societally. They faced massive changes brought on by COVID after only two and a half semesters in medical school, as well as the events of February 13 at MSU. Yet despite all of the challenges these past years have held, these students boldly continued their mission to practice the science of medicine and the art of caring, during a time when these empathic and dedicated people are needed more than ever. As was pointed out by Dean Andrea Amalfitano, D.O., Ph.D., in his most recent Dean’s Update, the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) has “more alumni practicing in primary care, or underserved areas, than all the alumni of all other medical schools in Michigan combined.”
Class of 2010 alumni keynote speaker, Chaya Pitman-Hunt, D.O., recalls how excited she was for her future during her commencement 13 years ago, before beginning her career as a pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan. “It’s so much fun to think about all the hopes and dreams I had sitting in your seat, and how nervous I was to start my residency,” she shares.
Since her graduation, Dr. Pitman-Hunt has gone on to be recognized for the outstanding work she’s done throughout her career as a D.O., receiving multiple Excellence in Teaching awards from Wayne State University, and being published multiple times for her research on COVID-19’s impact on families.
In reflecting on her time as a newly appointed resident, Dr. Pitman-Hunt encourages students to remember key pieces of advice she learned from those experiences: “Forgive yourself, embrace change, thank the nurses, and finally, learn how to listen.”
As well as sharing key pieces of advice gleaned from her transition from MSUCOM student to highly published and recognized D.O., Dr. Pitman-Hunt honors the many paths our students may take following their graduation.
Join us in person at 5:00 p.m. at the Breslin Center or via livestream at https://commencement.msu.edu.