2,255 Health Professionals Celebrate Graduation and Embark on Careers of Leading Change

Introduction

On May 7 through May 11 of this year, the UIC community enjoyed the annual celebration of spring commencement, as students from across the university crossed the stage and embarked on new careers. From the seven health sciences colleges, 2,255 health professionals graduated and will go on to lead the charge in advanced research and discovery, and expanding access to high quality and compassionate care for all.

“Today is the culmination of the many years of dedication and commitment in pursuit of your dream to become physicians or biomedical scientists. Indeed, you have challenged yourselves and risen to the occasion to be seated before us as the next generation of medical and healthcare leaders,” said UIC Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs Robert Barish at the College of Medicine ceremony. “As you step across the stage today, you will join the ranks of the thousands of alumni who continue to make a difference in the lives of patients near and far, expanding the scope of healthcare delivery to improve individual health and overall well-being of our communities.”

One week prior, nearly 60 students preparing to graduate from the College of Nursing continued the annual tradition of the Pool Jump by donning their scrubs and jumping together into a swimming pool. For more than 40 years, nursing students have partaken in this unique tradition as a symbolic way of marking the transition to their professional lives.