Families gathered prominently on Saturday, both inside and outside Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, as the Florida State University College of Medicine commemorated the achievement of 113 new physicians entering the profession. Additionally, eight new members joined the incoming medical school cohort for 2029 with the graduation of the Bridge to Medical Sciences master’s program.

Following the 21st commencement ceremony, the College of Medicine now boasts a total of 2,069 graduate physicians providing care across Florida and beyond. Twelve of the newly graduated physicians are included among the 222 graduates of the Bridge pathway initiative, aligning with the legislation that established the school, which marks its 25th anniversary this year.

“If there are four words that embody the mission statement of this medical institution, they are: Responsive to community needs,” stated College of Medicine Dean Dr. Alma Littles in her opening remarks.

“That’s what motivated numerous individuals to attend this school. It’s what drew many of you here as students. It influenced our decisions throughout the admissions process: our conviction that you resonate with our mission and will venture into the world, irrespective of your specialty, and remain responsive to community needs… delivering proficient and compassionate care for your patients. Your lives will be enriched as you enhance the lives of others.”

FSU’s M.D. Class of 2025 will have the chance to impact lives in numerous ways, matching in at least 14 diverse residency specialties, with 51% of the class dedicating themselves to a primary care specialty – family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics-gynecology. These specialties encompass the full spectrum of life and were pivotal to the college’s inception when it was legislated on June 15, 2000.

Dr. Joedrecka Brown Speights, the chair of the college’s Department of Family Medicine and Rural Health, explored the deeper meaning behind the opening line of the Physician’s Oath in her commencement speech.

First, I will do no harm.

Dr. Brown Speights took the students down a nostalgic path, highlighting significant events leading up to the day’s celebration – MCATs, medical school interviews, board exams, rotations, and Match Day.

“Beyond all of that, and doing no harm, is ensuring that whenever we engage with a patient, we are truly present, attentive to underlying concerns, motivations, and fears; honoring their humanity,” she stated. “Our most transformative patient care is an expression of love… Beyond doing no harm is love.”

Dr. Brown Speights’ self-titled address, “Through the lens of Love,” appeared to resonate throughout a day filled with joy among students, families, and friends at various venues:

• In the rehearsal hall, located below the Ruby Diamond stage, where students from all six regional campuses reconnected after two years apart while completing clinical studies, just before lining up for the processional;
• On the northern steps of the Westcott Building, where each regional campus class and the Marianna rural campus convened for regalia photos, perhaps marking their last full assembly together;
• On the grounds surrounding the Westcott Fountain, where graduates and families reunite, some taking multi-generational family photos to commemorate the day.

Early on Saturday, in a corner of the Ruby Diamond stage, Dean Emeritus John P. Fogarty hosted a pinning ceremony for four military graduates and their families, a tradition he established shortly after starting his 14-year tenure as the College of Medicine dean. Fogarty is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and dedicated 20 years to serving as an Army physician.

Initially, some components of the class awards program were conducted the day prior to the major event, and the pinning ceremony was integrated into the day’s festivities around 2014, when the more formal Military Promotion was added to the commencement celebration.

“My grandfather [Carson Peacock] was a 26-year military veteran, Command Sergeant Major (CSM),” Ryan Peacock shared, as he follows the Army path laid out for him. “My father [Roman Peacock] was in the reserves after going through ROTC at Virginia Tech.

“During my gap years between undergraduate and medical school, I determined if I didn’t gain admission [to medical school], I would likely pursue the Ranger team or something related to the military to continue that lineage. However, I got in that year and decided to combine both paths.”

A graduate from FSU’s inaugural class of Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences students, Peacock matched into emergency medicine and will commence residency at the University of North Carolina Hospitals.

Erika Balazs, one of three physicians from the class selecting the Air Force, alongside Mike Llerena and Nathan Steineck, has a noteworthy family connection as well.

“My dad was my motivation,” Balazs remarked. “He served in the military for 22 years, and I grew up in a military community. I admired the camaraderie I observed and always felt inclined to serve.”

George Balazs was a Master Sergeant (MSGT) in the Air Force. Erika grew up in Crestview, Florida, and graduated from Niceville High School, just down the road from Eglin AFB, where she was born.

“I made the decision to pursue medicine in middle school and shadowed general surgeons back at Eglin during high school, knowing then that I wanted to focus on surgery,” Balazs stated, as she prepares for her general surgery residency at Keesler Medical Center Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi.

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I initiated the [military application] process during my sabbatical year. My father had informed me about it. I originally committed in August after finishing anatomy.

After the hooding ceremony for the cohort, the four military scholars marched onto the stage to hear their promotion notices read aloud. Fogarty led the new Graduate Medical Officers in reaffirming their oath.

It’s an impactful moment on a sentimental day – Armed Forces Day – that ended with the playing of the Armed Forces Medley, where current and former members of each branch in attendance stand at attention as their service branch anthem is performed.

Misty-eyed among them were Roman Peacock and George Balazs.

Shortly after the recessional, two other Niceville High graduates with family military ties reunited with relatives for congratulatory hugs and photos in the shade outside the Westcott Building.

Siblings Braden Cathey and Rachel Cervera marked their completion of medical school together, hooded in that sequence. Rachel was visibly radiant in the background as Tallahassee Regional Campus Dean, Dr. Sandeep Rahangdale, placed the hood over Braden’s head.

“I’m just very fortunate,” remarked Rachel, who married her medical school classmate Luis Cervera in April. “I don’t think many people can say that they got to attend school with their sibling while also meeting their spouse and getting married. It’s been incredibly special. I’m very fortunate to have shared this experience with my family. I felt very supported.”

Luis Cervera, who was hooded with his Fort Pierce Regional Campus cohort, blew a kiss to Rachel as he ascended the stage. She stood up to witness campus dean Dr. Juliette Lomax-Homier placing the hood over his head.

“I’m quite sentimental,” Rachel noted, wryly adding, “I didn’t have to stand for Braden because I was right behind him in line.”

One of the other personal, post-graduation highlights was the siblings posing for a photograph with their wheelchair-bound maternal grandfather, U.S. Army veteran Brantley Clark, and other family members.

“We weren’t certain he would be able to attend today,” Rachel mentioned. “Getting him to be here was crucial. I saw him standing during the Army song. I was very impressed.”

The Cervera couple matched at the University of Tennessee Graduate Medical School in Knoxville. The Lambas also matched – Nikhil and Jasmin – who also married this year and are heading to the Tampa area for residency.

“It’s a significant moment, not only to share with her – my new wife – but with my family, as well,” Luis expressed. “Because we recently wed, it means so much more. This is my life partner; the woman I’m going to share my life with. Graduation is wonderful, but to me, she and the family we will form together is my greatest accomplishment. This is just the icing on the cake.

“Having both our families here to witness this further enhances how special this moment is for both of us.”

There seemed to be an abundance of love and gratitude in the atmosphere. Class president Sean Wimberley set the appreciative tone early in the program as he addressed his classmates and those present.

“This speech is not mine alone – it belongs to all of us,” Wimberley stated. “Each voice, each story, and every step in this journey has shaped the collective experience we now celebrate.”

And Wimberley concluded with this:

“To the class of 2025 — thank you for being part of this unforgettable journey. May we advance as physicians who lead with heart, guided by wisdom, grounded in compassion, and inspired by the strength we have discovered in each other.”

For additional information, visit med.fsu.edu.

The post Love, appreciation in the air at FSU’s College of Medicine commencement ceremony first appeared on Florida State University News.

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