Commencement ceremonies honor new physicians

Dick Purtan jokes that he accepted the invitation to deliver the keynote address because it is “a great opportunity to speak to doctors without being billed.”

At the commencement ceremonies for the Wayne State University School of Medicine, 248 graduating medical students were honored with the addition of the letters “MD” after their names. Keynote speaker and local radio personality Dick Purtan asked them to consider adding a third letter--the letter “C”--reminding them to be mindful of communication, commitment and compassion throughout their careers.

Purtan, who is an award-winning radio personality and host of the Oldies 104.3 WOMC Morning Show, recounted his family’s personal experiences with another “C” word--cancer. He explained how physician communication and compassion helped influence his treatment and how those values can improve and alter patient outcomes.

Gathered outside the Detroit Opera House are graduates: Anke Robinson, Vanni Manthiram, and Sarah Mathew.

On June 8, the Detroit Opera House hosted the Class of 1999 and their proud families to celebrate the end of medical school and the beginning of residency training for the community’s newest group of physicians. Wayne State University President Irvin Reid personally congratulated each student and encouraged them to continue achieving great things and to leave their individual marks on society.

Wayne State’s newest physicians include (from left): Michelle Wood, Paul Gryzenia, Amy Schmick, and David Zink.

A Distinguished Service Award was presented to Margaret Taylor Smith for her active service to The Detroit Medical Center and the Wayne State University School of Medicine. She has been a member of the medical school’s Board of Visitors since it was established in 1994 and she has served on the Board of Trustees at the DMC since 1977.

Ann Marie Sundareson gets a hand from Charles Zenzen.

Robert Frank, MD, associate dean for academic and student programs, conferred the academic degrees and honors. He reflected on the past experiences and future opportunities for the Class of 1999. “My hope is that as you progress in your career you will reflect on your early training, which was formative. You’ve cared for people who are of a different class and ethnicity than yourselves...You’ve seen births and deaths. All these experiences have shaped you as a physician...We look to you to create the just and ethical health care system that we have yet to see. ...”