Congratulations to the Class of 2021

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to congratulate the MD Class of 2021, which officially received their degrees. They will soon be followed by graduates of other programs from the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, including students from Medical Radiation Sciences and research-based graduate programs, who will join the rest of the University of Toronto in marking Spring Convocation on June 23. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these students have experienced a learning environment that few could have envisioned. It has meant lessons shared from a distance, a clinical learning environment under extreme pressure, and thesis defences conducted online instead of in-person. One skill many of these learners have certainly now mastered: donning and doffing personal protective equipment.

Our newest graduates begin the next stages of their lives at a time of uncertainty and change. COVID-19 has presented challenges to our society, to our economy, but most importantly, to how we deliver healthcare in a safe, equitable, and meaningful way. Our communities and society are also wrestling with longstanding injustices and an imperative to meaningfully address historical inequities. As healthcare professionals, we have a role to play in this vital work. Such uncertainty and change can cause anxiety, but they can also present tremendous opportunities.

Just over one hundred years ago, the world was recovering from the Spanish Flu pandemic and World War One. Societies, international alliances, economic order, and global health all needed to be rebuilt. There was ambiguity and, no doubt, a great sense of weariness. Yet, new possibilities were being realized. For example, in a lab at the University of Toronto, insulin was about to be discovered. Significant challenges sometimes present us with great opportunities to reimagine our world for the better, and our quest for discovery continues regardless of crises that may surround us. Herein lies the challenge before the Class of 2021, and I am confident that they can meet the demands of this moment

I hope that the Class of 2021 feels that we – the faculty and staff of Temerty Medicine – have been there to support them through these trying times. Especially now throughout the pandemic, I have seen our faculty and staff consistently go above and beyond to provide a sympathetic ear, helpful suggestions, or alternatives that have made the journey our learners are on a little easier. And while they may graduate, they will always remain members of Temerty Medicine. They join a network of over 60,000 healthcare leaders who are valued members of our community and reinforce the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s world-class reputation. I hope they return to our campuses often as they pursue a lifelong commitment to learning.

On behalf of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2021. And I want to thank all of the people who have helped our graduates reach this milestone; the family and friends, the classmates and alumni, and the faculty and staff. No graduate reaches this moment by themselves, which is why it’s essential that we – as a community – celebrate this collective achievement.

Trevor Young
Dean, Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Vice Provost, Relations with Health Care Institutions
University of Toronto