Years ago, I stood in front of the
@LoyolaStritch Class of 2026 as their M2 pathology instructor before heading to Michigan. Today, I had the profound honor of returning to deliver their commencement address. Full circle in the best possible way.
I spoke to them about curiosity. About wonder. About resilience. About the bone marrow, of course (I promise it made sense). More than anything, I want them to remember that medicine is still sacred work. In a world moving faster and louder every day, I hope they protect the part of themselves that still pauses in awe at the privilege of caring for another human being.
One of the most meaningful moments for me was being able to leave each graduate with a personalized copy of Mia the Marvelous Lab Explorer. A small reminder to keep exploring, keep asking why, and never become numb to the miracle inside the human body.
To the Stritch School of Medicine Class of 2026: thank you for allowing me to be a small part of your journey, both then and now. Watching you cross that stage was a privilege I will never forget.
And to Loyola, thank you for welcoming me home.
Memento vivere. Never stop exploring.
For those interested in the speech, you can find it here:
luc.edu/commencement/ceremon…