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By Mary Westbrook

More than 400 medical and health professions students joined the ranks of �鶹����AV alumni on May 17 during the Class of 2025 Advanced Degree Ceremony for Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School and EVMS School of Health Professions at �鶹����AV.

“The EVMS Legacy Ceremony,” held at Chartway Arena, marked the first occasion since the July 2024 integration of EVMS into �鶹����AV that two complete classes from Eastern Virginia Medical School and the EVMS School of Health Professions at �鶹����AV earned their degrees.  

The integration formed Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at �鶹����AV, the commonwealth’s largest and most comprehensive academic health sciences center. In December 2024, two graduates of the EVMS School of Health Professions at �鶹����AV participated in the University’s 141^st commencement ceremonies.

�鶹����AV President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., noted the significance of this year’s ceremony. “Today is more than a celebration of academic achievements — it is a defining moment in the history, progress and future of health sciences education in the commonwealth,” President Hemphill said. “The establishment of Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at �鶹����AV reflects our commitment to enhanced opportunities in education, research, patient care and community health — a commitment that will continue to benefit our students, local communities, the commonwealth and beyond. Our graduates are the embodiment of that commitment, and I have no doubt they will lead with purpose, compassion and impact.”

This year’s class includes 152 medical students, along with 249 health professions students representing 16 programs.

Graduates will pursue careers in direct patient care, research, clinical work, education and community engagement. Many will practice and work in Hampton Roads, serving areas of critical need; others will become ambassadors for the University and its values in other parts of the country and the world, serving across myriad specialties, disciplines and focus areas.  

The ceremony’s keynote address was delivered by Alfred Abuhamad, MD, �鶹����AV’s executive vice president for Health Sciences and dean of the medical school.

Dr. Abuhamad, the Mason C. Andrews Distinguished Professor in Obstetrics & Gynecology and the former president and provost of EVMS, played an important leadership role in the integration and launch of the health sciences center, alongside President Hemphill.

In his remarks, he reflected on lessons learned as a longtime physician. “As you embark on your future journey, I urge you to envision yourselves as advocates for a better, more humane model of care, not only as practitioners of health and medicine, but as ambassadors of healing,” Dr. Abuhamad said. “The future course of healthcare will not be altered by innovations or discoveries, but rather by these simple, time-tested interventions that are so core to our calling and are grounded in truth.”

Bruce Waldholtz, MD, chair of the Board of Directors at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at �鶹����AV, commended students on their achievements.  “Today, we celebrate your years of hard work, unwavering commitment and resilience,” said Dr. Waldholtz. “We look forward to the great things you will do. Your future awaits you.”

Thirteen medical students participated in a “family hooding” tradition during the ceremony. In this portion of the program, family members with specific affiliations to EVMS are invited to “hood” graduates on stage — a symbolic act that signifies the end of students’ academic journeys and the beginning of their professional careers while connecting them to the legacy of health professionals who came before them.

Brannon Johnson, MD Class of 2025, was hooded by his grandfather, Ira Lederman, MD, an ophthalmologist and EVMS longtime community faculty member.

“I remember holding Brannon in one hand,” Dr. Lederman said. “He was barely bigger than my hand, and now he’s well over 6 feet tall. How many people giving hoods get a chance to give it to their grandchild?” he added. “It’s a wonderful feeling.”

Photos and wrap-up footage from this year’s ceremony will be available on ���Ի���; coverage also is available on social media (@EVMSedu).