June 3, 2026
The UTMB John Sealy School of Medicine celebrated its 136th MD commencement on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Congratulations to our newest physicians and to the families, friends, mentors, and supporters who helped them reach this milestone. As graduates of UTMB, they move forward prepared to serve their communities with knowledge, compassion, integrity, and a lifelong commitment to learning.
We extend our sincere appreciation to Dr. Jochen Reiser, UTMB President and Chief Executive Officer, UTMB Health System, for presiding over this special occasion. His leadership and encouragement throughout our students’ medical education journey helped make the day a memorable celebration of their achievements.
We are also grateful to the chairs, faculty, and institutional leaders whose presence reflected the strong community that surrounds our students throughout their medical education.
A special thank you goes to our colleagues in JSSOM Academic Affairs; Academic Resources, Classroom and Tech Services; Alumni Relations; the Campus Bookstore; Enrollment Services; UTMB Police Department; JSSOM Student Affairs; University Events; the Office of the President; and the Office of the Provost. Their dedication, planning, and countless behind-the-scenes efforts help ensure the success of commencement each year.
We were honored to welcome Dr. Barry S. Coller, David Rockefeller Professor of Medicine Head, Allen and Frances Adler Laboratory of Blood and Vascular Biology; Co-Director of the Rockefeller University Center for Clinical and Translational Science; Co-Director of the Clinic Scholars Program; and Physician in Chief , Emeritus who delivered an inspiring keynote address to the Class of 2026.
The ceremony also featured welcome remarks from Dr. Richard E. Helmer III, President of the UTMB John Sealy School of Medicine Alumni Association.
Special thanks to the following UTMB leaders for their participation in this year's ceremony:
- Dr. Majka B. Woods, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs
- Dr. Linda Phillips, Professor, Department of Surgery
- Reverend Dr. Tammy Isaac, UTMB Chaplain II
We also recognized the recipients of the 2026 John Sealy School of Medicine Ashbel Smith Distinguished Alumnus (ASDA) Award, who were honored during a special reception held the evening before commencement. We are proud to celebrate these distinguished alumni whose professional accomplishments, leadership, and service reflect the very best of the UTMB tradition:
- Dr. Mary Claire Haver, Residency ’02
- Dr. LaTanya J. Love, ’00
- Dr. Mary Dale Peterson, ’81
- Dr. Vonda G. Reeves, Residency ’80 and Fellowship ‘91
- Dr. Mellick “Mac” Sykes, ‘76
- Dr. T. Lynn Warthan, ‘76
The following individuals received special honors:
Shilpa Rajagopal was selected for the Gold-Headed Cane Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a graduating medical student. Chosen by her classmates, she was recognized as the student who best exemplifies an unwavering commitment to patient care.
Rajagopal was also selected by her classmates to deliver the Class of 2026 address.
Dr. Lemuel Aigbivbalu, Associate Professor of Clinical Practice in the Department of Pediatrics, received the James W. Powers Memorial Award. Selected by the graduates, this award honors a teacher of clinical subjects who has contributed in an eminent way to the development of physicians capable of practicing both the art and science of medicine.
Each year, members of the graduating class elect faculty members to participate in the hooding ceremony. This distinction is among the highest honors that students can bestow upon their faculty mentors. Faculty selected to conduct the 2026 hooding ceremony were:
- Dr. Lemuel Aigbivbalu, Professor of Clinical Practice, Department of Pediatrics
- Dr. N. Miles Farr, Assistant Professor of Instruction, Department of Internal Medicine
- Dr. Amy Gonzalez, Associate Professor of Clinical Practice, Department of Pediatrics
- Dr. Gokhan Kilic, Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Dr. Ruth Levine, Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science
- Dr. John Walker, Professor of Clinical Practice, Department of Surgery
- Dr. Mary Suna Wilkerson, Assistant Professor of Clinical Practice, Department of Internal Medicine
Serving as Mace Bearer for the ceremony was Dr. Michael Boyars, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine. During the academic procession, he carried the ceremonial mace, which bears the seal of The University of Texas and symbolizes the authority vested in the institution.
Leading the faculty procession and coordinating commencement line-up activities were our Chief Faculty Marshals:
- Dr. Bernard M. Karnath, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
- Dr. Cristiana Rastellini, Professor of Instruction, Departments of Neurobiology and Internal Medicine
Faculty Marshals included:
- Dr. Joann Acevedo, Assistant Professor of Clinical Practice, Department of Pediatrics
- Dr. Cleavon Covington, Assistant Professor of Clinical Practice, Departments of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine
- Dr. Michael Erickson, Assistant Professor of Clinical Practice, Department Surgery
- Dr. Monique Ferguson, Professor of Research, Department of Internal Medicine
- Dr. Kevin McKinney, Professor of Clinical Practice, Department of Internal Medicine
- Dr. Richard Lu, Associate Professor of Clinical Practice, Department of Surgery
- Dr. Richard Pyles, Professor, Departments of Pediatrics, Microbiology and Immunology and Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences
- Dr. Misha Syed, Professor, Department of Ophthalmology
Serving as Junior Marshals were third-year medical students from the Class of 2027, selected by the graduating class to assist with the processional, line-up, recessional, and other ceremonial responsibilities throughout commencement:
- Beck Burgelin
- Claramence Clara Dokyi
- Darcey Gus Kobs
- Brianna Adell Leovalles
Special recognition goes to the members of Syncope, the John Sealy School of Medicine student a cappella group, whose performances of The Star-Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful provided a memorable opening and closing to our commencement ceremony. They are:
- Karina Chowdhury, Class of 2026
- Shivani Lotlikar, Class of 2028
- Sarah Elizabeth Muir, Class of 2026
- Trevor Phan, Class of 2028
- Timothy G. Wanninger, MD, Resident for the Department of Internal Medicine
- Dominic Seno, Class of 2029
- Kyle Smith, Class of 2029
- Ngoc Truong, Class of 2029
- Shilpa Rajagopal, Class of 2026
This year marked the 26th Annual Military Commissioning Ceremony. Dr. Russell R. Snyder, UTMB Military Commissioning Advisor and Professor Emeritus in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, delivered remarks, administered the Oath of Office, and introduced the newly commissioned officers.
The following members of the Class of 2026 received commissions as officers in the United States Armed Forces:
- Jonathon Isaiah Gomez: Captain, United States Air Force
- Kristopher Evan Hurst: Captain, United States Air Force
Following the Military Commissioning Ceremony, Dr. Jennifer Raley, Professor of Clinical Practice, Department of Family Medicine, administered the Physician’s Oath to the members of the Class of 2026, as they affirmed their commitment to the ethical practice of medicine and the responsibilities of the profession.
Commencement activities concluded with a reception celebrating the achievements of our graduates alongside their families, friends, faculty, and supporters.
My sincere thanks to everyone who helped make this milestone event possible. Congratulations to the Class of 2026. We are proud to welcome you into the profession of medicine and look forward to the impact you will make in the years ahead.
Save the Date
137th Commencement of the John Sealy School of Medicine
Saturday, May 1, 2027