Justin Langan, M.D., ’11, carried his daughter across the stage with him as he was hooded by Gold 5 Docent Carol Stanford, M.D. (left), during the School of Medicine’s Commencement on May 26 at the Kansas CIty Music Hall. To view more photos from the graduation ceremony, visit our Facebook page.
Determination is key to Class of 2011 success
As the Class of 2011 basked in the excitement of the UMKC School of Medicine Commencement ceremony on May 26 at the Kansas City Music Hall, class speaker Neal Mangalat reminded his classmates that graduation day represents more than just the day they added a couple of initials behind their names.
“More importantly,” Mangalat said, “it represents the day our dreams truly came true.”
With the School of Medicine celebrating its 40th anniversary, Mangalat joined a group of speakers from Chancellor Leo Morton and University of Missouri Curator Warren Erdman to Ray Cattaneo, M.D., ’03, president of the alumni association, E. Grey Dimond, M.D., Take Wing Award winner Lisa Fitzpatrick, M.D., ’92, and faculty speaker Jared Keeler, M.D., ’94, who encouraged the class to continue building on the legacy that has now produced nearly 3,000 physicians.
Erdman congratulated members of the class on their accomplishment of adding the new title of “doctor” to their names and reminded them of the responsibility that goes with it.
“With this title comes the honor and the responsibility instilled in you by our university to serve, heal and protect your fellow man,” Erdman said. “You have been well prepared for these tasks. You are a representative of the legacy you have inherited. You join the ranks of UMKC School of Medicine graduates who share a fundamental goal — excellent care for patients.”
Fitzpatrick, who received the prestigious Take Wing Award earlier in the day, gave the graduates some principles to follow as they move forward in their careers as physicians, among them to maintain balance in their lives, to follow their instincts and not to be reluctant to ask for help.
“Your path may not always be a straight line,” Fitzpatrick said. “Look for opportunities and take them. You are ready to be a doctor.”
Mangalat, who was chosen by his classmates to speak on their behalf, said the Class of 2011 was “a group of individuals that I am proud to call my friends and now fortunate enough to call my professional colleagues.”
Mangalat said the entire class shared one common and important trait — determination. It was that determination that helped each one through the trials of a demanding six-year medical school curriculum, he said.
“The determination we all have inside of us pushed us to overcome these obstacles and it is with this determination that we will go forward on our various paths to successful careers,” Mangalat said. “I encourage you, Class of 2011, to take this determination with you in the next phase of your journey.”
Class of 2011 Senior Awards
Hala Fatima Adil: Women in Medicine Scholarship Achievement Citation
Mohammed Saif Ahmed: Missouri State Medical Association Honors Graduate
Colleen C. Brennan: St. Louis Friends of UMKC School of Medicine Award for Research
Meghan Marie Chlebowski: Laura L. Backus, M.D., Award for Excellence in Pediatrics
Chanukya R. Dasari: Ratilal S. Shah Medical Scholarship
Neeti Meghnad Desai: American Medical Women’s Association Glasgow-Rubin Certificate of Commendation for Academic Achievement; Women in Medicine Scholarship Achievement Citation
Neha Dhingra: Missouri State Medical Association Honors Graduate
James Lewis Gentry III: American College of Physicians 2011 Betty Drees, M.D., F.A.C.P., Book Award; C.L. Tung, M.D., – E. Grey Dimond, M.D., Matching Scholarship; Western Missouri Friends of UMKC Harry S. Jonas, M.D., Award
Drew Washington Glover: Family Health Foundation of Missouri Achievement Award
Aaron L. High: Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Award
Kirsten Anne Jansen: Women in Medicine Scholarship Achievement Citation
Afrin Kamal: Thomas R. Hamilton, M.D., Award for Excellence in Microbiology; Women in Medicine Scholarship Achievement Citation
Anna Levin: Women in Medicine Scholarship Achievement Citation
Nicholas Andrew Madden: Thomas R. Hamilton, M.D., Award for Excellence in Pathology
Ian Cantisano Malburg: UMKC School of Medicine Alumni Association Award for Excellence in Medical Education
Ashley A. Mann: R.R. Hannas, M.D., Emergency Medicine Award; UMKC School of Medicine Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Senior Partner
Amy Kirit Patel: Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award Presented by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation
Cajal K. Patel: St. Louis Friends of UMKC School of Medicine Basic Science Award; Women in Medicine Scholarship Achievement Citation
Cassie Marie Smith: Blue Cross and Blue Shield Family Medicine Scholarship
Neil Hemant Thakur: Bette Hamilton, M.D., Memorial Award for Excellence in Immunology; Lee Langley Award; Merck Manual Award for Outstanding Achievement in Medical Education
Joshua J. Vaughn: Merck Manual Award for Outstanding Achievement in Medical Education
Adnan Zaidi: Missouri State Medical Association Honors Graduate
