Order of Exercises

Trumpet Prelude and Processional

Pomp and Circumstance, Sir Edward Elgar

Call to Commencement

Phillip M. Boiselle, MD
Dean of the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine

National Anthem

Anoush Calikyan, MD ‘23

Greetings

Judy D. Olian, PhD
President

Dean’s Remarks

Phillip M. Boiselle, MD

Introduction of Commencement Speaker

Lyuba Konopasek, MD
Senior Associate Dean for Education

Commencement Address

Malika Fair, MD
Senior Director of Health Equity Partnerships and Programs at the Association of American Medical Colleges

Presentation of Candidates for Medical Degrees and Conferral of Hoods

Phillip M. Boiselle

Renu Boatright, MD
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs

Conferral of Degrees

Judy D. Olian

Student Remarks

Whitney L’nicole Nichols, MD ’23

QU Netter Physician’s Pledge

Lyuba Konopasek

Alumni Welcome

Jeanna Doherty ’94
Chair, Alumni Association Board

Recessional

Amor Vittorioso | G. Gastoldi
March | A. Valenti

Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine Physician’s Pledge

AS A MEMBER OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION:

• I SOLEMNLY PLEDGE to dedicate my life to the service of humanity;

• THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF MY PATIENT will be my first consideration;

• I WILL RESPECT the autonomy and dignity of my patient;

• I WILL MAINTAIN the utmost respect for human life;

• I WILL NOT PERMIT considerations of age, disease or disability, creed, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual orientation, social standing or any other factor to intervene between my duty and my patient;

• I WILL ADVOCATE for social, economic, educational, and political changes that ameliorate suffering and contribute to the well-being of my patients and the communities I serve;

• I WILL RESPECT the secrets that are confided in me, even after the patient has died;

• I WILL PRACTICE my profession with conscience and dignity and in accordance with good medical practice;

• I WILL FOSTER the honor and noble traditions of the medical profession;

• I WILL GIVE to my teachers, colleagues, and students the respect and gratitude that is their due;

• I WILL SHARE my medical knowledge for the benefit of the patient and the advancement of healthcare;

• I WILL ATTEND TO my own health, well-being, and abilities in order to provide care of the highest standard;

• I WILL NOT USE my medical knowledge to violate human rights and civil liberties, even under threat;

• I MAKE THESE PROMISES solemnly, freely, and upon my honor.

Adapted from the WMA Declaration of Geneva Updated October 2017 (The Physician’s Pledge) and the AMA Declaration of Professional Responsibility

Doctoral Hooding Ceremony

The 12th and 13th centuries saw the formation of universities under the jurisdiction of the Church. Most students of the day were clerks in the Holy Order, monks or priests. Cowls or hoods adorned their habits and protected the young scholars from harsh weather and the pervading dampness of the stone buildings in which they studied. Hoods also served to cover tonsured heads before the use of the skullcap.

Today, the cap, gown and hood have taken on a symbolic meaning. Color and shape conform to an academic code signifying a university’s conferral of the degree and the nature of the degree conferred. Gowns for the doctoral degree carry velvet panels and three horizontal velvet bars on the upper arm of the full, round, bell-shaped sleeves.

Mace and Medallion

The mace — a symbol of authority — has antecedents in both Roman and Medieval history. The Roman mace (fasces) was carried by a lictor before the chief magistrate of the city, as well as before the legions. During the Middle Ages, the mace (mateola), a weapon of war, became first a symbol of victory and then a symbol of authority. The mace emblazoned with the Great Seal of England became a symbol of authority in Parliament by the end of the 13th century. It is this form of the mace that was the prototype of those symbols of authority, not only of legislative bodies, but also of cities and universities.

In 1246, following some 20 years of strife, the University of Paris was finally conceded the right to its own common seal. Since then, the use of the seal engraved on the mace has come to symbolize the authority of the academic community. In July 2000, Quinnipiac commissioned the noted sculptor Robert Meyer of Westport, Connecticut, to design and execute a new mace for Quinnipiac University. Cast in bronze, the mace incorporates elements of the university seal.

The medallion (medal of office), like the mace and the seal, is also a symbol of authority. It is possible that its roots may be traced back to the Roman “bulla” (a gold amulet of honor). The obverse of the medallion shows the seal of the office the wearer holds — in our case, the seal of the university. Not infrequently, the reverse would show the personal seal or coat of arms of the bearer. Since the High Middle Ages, the medallion has been worn by such officials as the chancellors of England, mayors of cities, and rectors of universities, and came to signify the high personal position such figures occupied in their respective governments. During the Renaissance, medallion design reached unique artistic heights, and in certain portraits the medallion was given particular prominence. The medallion is worn by the university’s president. The Quinnipiac medal showcases the university seal, sculpted in relief and cast in bronze.