UCSF School of Medicine Class of 2025: Advocating for a Better World

The UCSF School of Medicine Class of 2025 arrived during the COVID-19 pandemic, then learned and lived through complex and uncertain times, showing extraordinary determination and resilience over the last four years. On May 19, 2025, their remarkable journey culminated in a joyful commencement ceremony at Davies Symphony Hall, celebrating 180 graduates of the UCSF School of Medicine.

There was an abundance of celebratory spirit among the graduates, their loved ones, faculty, and guests—each having played a vital role in helping the graduates reach this milestone.

“Graduating from medical school is a big deal,” said commencement keynote speaker, Louise Aronson, MD, Professor Emeritus of Medicine. “But nurturing and creating a good human being is the biggest deal of all—so thank you,” she told the graduates’ families and supporters.

A Class Grounded in Purpose

Throughout the evening, graduates were recognized not only for academic achievement but also for their deep commitment to equity and justice in medicine.

“From the very start, this class brought with it a clear moral compass,” said Talmadge E. King, Jr., MD, Dean of the UCSF School of Medicine. “You challenged systems, advocated for patients, and made space for truth, courage, and humanity. You pushed us to live up to our mission and values.”

Dr. Aronson's keynote cleverly walked through 26 words, from A to Z, that the U.S. government institutions reportedly consider “suspicious” in grant applications. For each word, she offered insight, humor, or encouragement—closing with a message tailored to Gen Z:

“You are collaborative, entrepreneurial, self-driven, fiscally smart, and pragmatic. I can think of few better ways to be equipped to be good doctors or become the leaders that repair our ailing healthcare system.”

Eliana Kim, selected by the class to give the student address, reflected on the meaning of care—not just doing, but being.

“In a system that isolates people by design, that rewards dehumanization and pits people against one another, connection is radical. Refusing to turn away is an act of resistance.”

Reflections That Define a Journey

Before the ceremony began, graduates gathered in the hallways, pausing amid the celebration to reflect on the patients, mentors, and moments that shaped them.

Taylor Hall, a graduate of the Program in Medical Education for the Urban Underserved (PRIME-US) program, spoke about how working at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center revealed the stark socioeconomic disparities in medicine. “It reminded me why I pursued a career in health care.”

Connie Zhou recalled her internal medicine acting internship, where she first felt the full weight of medical decision-making. “The privilege of being trusted to move my patients’ care forward made me certain that becoming a doctor was the right choice.”

Elizabeth McCarthy, a graduate of UCSF’s Medical Science Training Program (MSTP), said her most meaningful memories spanned nearly a decade. “One patient, going through their first surgery, was so grateful after waking from anesthesia. That connection reaffirmed my commitment to medicine.”

Jen Guidera, also an MSTP graduate, remembered her first obstetrics and gynecology rotation. “The teams shared a common goal of providing the best possible patient care. That collaboration and joy in patient care confirmed I was where I belonged.”

For Jennifer Mackinnon Krems, a graduate of the UC Berkeley-UCSF Joint Medical Program (JMP), the certainty came gradually. “It wasn’t one defining moment—it was all the small moments of emotional presence and relationship-building with patients and their families that added up.”

Gratitude That Spans Generations

For many, graduation felt like the culmination of not just personal effort but also the support of families, mentors, and communities.

“This day honors not only our accomplishments, but the years of discovery and growth behind them,” said Alexander Merriman, an MSTP graduate. “My thesis advisor and surgical mentor profoundly shaped my development, and I’m deeply grateful.”

Rayan Lotfi, a JMP graduate, acknowledged those who could not attend, including family and friends celebrating from afar.

“Many people cannot be in the United States at this current moment. I wish we had more time to honor the lives, stories, and sacrifices of those who made this all possible.”

Jessica Crockett, who dreamed of becoming a doctor since childhood, reflected:
“This journey has been long and challenging, but also beautiful and meaningful. Today is not just my accomplishment—it’s a shared celebration with those who stood by me.”

Looking Ahead

Now, the graduates move forward to residency programs across the country, where they will continue their medical training over the next three to seven years.

Seerut Bhullar, a graduate of the UCSF San Joaquin Valley Program in Medical Education (SJV PRIME), summed up the sense of purpose many felt:

“Throughout medical school, I was constantly reminded why I chose this profession – everyone deserves access to health care, regardless of income, English fluency, education level, or health literacy. I hope that in residency, I will continue growing in the same way—challenged, supported, and inspired.”