On May 11, the Class of 2026 of UConn School of Medicine, UConn School of Dental Medicine, and the UConn Graduate School programs of UConn Health walked across the stage filled with Husky pride to accept their UConn degrees at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts at UConn Storrs.
This year marks UConn Health’s 55th Commencement ceremony and the addition of 105 physicians, 52 dentists, and 106 scientists and public health experts to the healthcare workforce of Connecticut and the nation. Since 1972, UConn Health has produced 4,402 physicians, 2,096 dentists, and over 900 scientists and public health experts. This graduating class also includes the awarding of 30 Biomedical Science Ph.D. degrees, 2 Public Health Ph.D. degrees, 10 MD/Ph.D. degrees, 4 Master of Science in Biomedical Science, 3 Master of Science in Clinical and Translational Research, 16 Master of Dental Science, and 41 Master of Public Health degrees.
The National Anthem was beautifully sung by the School of Medicine’s Class of 2026 Ryan Hannon.
The graduates were also inspired by the great scientific career success stories and words of wisdom by the healthcare changemaker Gerald Chan serving as the prestigious 2026 Commencement Speaker.
As a scientist and venture capitalist Chan has forged transformative changes across many fields in medicine and healthcare. He is co-founder of Morningside, a venture investment enterprise that starts and builds science and technology-based companies. Working with academic scientists, Chan has started over two dozen biotech companies across diverse therapeutic areas. Some of these companies have opened up entirely new fields of medicine.
Chan heartwarmingly thanked UConn for the honor of being inducted into the Husky ‘hall of fame’ by serving as the 2026 Commencement speaker for UConn Health and for his UConn honorary doctorate degree, “I learned that once you are a Husky, you are always a Husky!”
He also shared with the crowd of hundreds of graduates, their faculty and families, how his mother just turned 106. “I have good genes, and mitochondria!”
But he stressed the growing importance of lifespan versus health span as we age to the graduates entering the healthcare workforce in Connecticut and beyond.
“The time has come for the reframing of medicine,” said Chan. “Such a reframing of medicine comes with a changing from reactive to proactive. And to help someone’s lifespan converge with someone’s health span…to add life to their years.”
Chan concluded in his Commencement address to the newly minted doctors and scientists: “Today I am happy to be a bystander cheering you on. It is to you that we look for leadership to truly make America healthy again.”
Radenka Maric, president of UConn, also bestowed upon Chan his honorary UConn degree and also addressed the graduating Class of 2026 of UConn Health.
“We are here today because of your great work,” applauded Maric. “Remember to give back. Your profession is all about giving back. It is my greatest honor to serve as your president. I know you are the brightest people on the planet! Go Huskies!”
The Deans of the three Schools also addressed their graduates.
School of Dental Medicine Dean Dr. Steven M. Lepowsky applauded the dental graduates accomplishments. “We have watched you grow and become highly capable and competent dental health professionals. You have distinguished yourselves through academic achievement and by your commitment to service. You have inspired us with your empathy, your compassion, and your talents. I congratulate you on all of your remarkable achievements, but I challenge you to continue to strive for excellence in everything that you do – for that is truly the hallmark of a UConn grad. You will – forever – be part of our UConn dental family. Congratulations again on all that you have accomplished, and I hope that your journey continues to be filled with much success, health, and happiness.”
In her remarks Leslie Shor, Ph.D., vice provost for Graduate Education and dean of the UConn Graduate School shared, “To all of our graduates from the UConn Graduate School, way to go ‘Grad-Grads’. Your achievement is extraordinary! Congratulations Class of 2026!”
“A big congratulations to the Class of 2026,” shared medical school dean Dr. Bruce T. Liang in his address to the School of Medicine’s Class of 2026. “I congratulate each of you newly minted physicians and scholars for making it through medical school with your hard work together with your fellow classmates, faculty, staff, and families! You have done exceedingly well, matching to your number one or top residency programs. And your Match Day was not only electric, it was record-breaking! 40% of you are staying right here in Connecticut for training – and this includes the highest percentage ever at 27% of you matching into UConn-sponsored Graduate Medical Education programs to stay right here at UConn! Go Huskies!!!”
Liang also led a touching moment of silence to remember a fellow medical student who recently passed away.
“Remember Sri Nowduri, your classmate, for he truly represented what it means to train as a UConn doctor with his grace, compassion, curiosity, and dedication – which will remain an enduring part of his legacy.”
Also, heartwarmingly when Nowduri’s name was called aloud as a Class of 2026 graduate the audience cheered.
Outstanding Students Speak at Commencement
Three Class of 2026 graduates were prestigiously selected by their fellow graduates to speak at Commencement.
“Congratulations, Class of 2026 – we did it,” exclaimed medical school graduate speaker Dr. Madeleine Tessier-Kay, MBA who newly accepted her M.D. from UConn and is headed to Johns Hopkins to train as a future dermatologist in residency. She’s had an exciting journey from Harvard basketball athlete to global public health experiences like working for the NBA in rural South Africa to Yale for her MPH to UConn medical school where she discovered her love for dermatology. “I am so proud to be a part of this class, and I cannot wait to see the impact each of us will have on our professions and the world,” shared Tessier-Kay who reflected on the strong sense of family and community that is always built at UConn.
“The kind of community we’ve built doesn’t happen by accident, it’s intentional. It reflects who we all strive to be – kind, compassionate, welcoming, and deeply committed to one another, our patients, and our community. As we move into residency and beyond, our paths will diverge – different cities, different specialties, different experiences. But what we have built here will not be left behind. We will carry it with us – in how we care for our patients, in how we support our colleagues, and in how we show up for the communities we join,” Tessier-Kay concluded.
“Congratulations to the Class of 2026!” shared Dr. Maxwell Marks who accepted his UConn DMD and will be pursuing a pediatric dentistry residency at The Ohio State University/Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
“To my fellow graduates, colleagues, and friends, I want to emphasize the magnitude of what you have accomplished. No small amount of time, effort, or determination was required to reach this momentous occasion,” shared Marks adding, “With our primary focus on our patients, we learned that the most meaningful growth happened in the everyday moments of care. It happened when we walked into the waiting room, called a patient’s name, and invited them back to our chairs. In those short walks down the hallway, we learned how to ease anxiety, build trust, and carry ourselves with confidence. We learned that dentistry is not just about procedures, but about people. Each conversation, each explanation, each moment of reassurance shaped us into more than clinicians — it shaped us into caregivers.”
Graduate Michael Raizin, MPH was the UConn Graduate School programs student speaker earning his UConn master’s of public health. He has joined the Peace Corps and is headed to serve in the Philippines to further fulfill his love for adventure and public and global health.
“We’ve worked tirelessly and with commitment to reach this academic milestone in our lives. Together, we have navigated our journeys that led us here, and become public health practitioners, dedicated to improving the health and well-being of others. Our collaboration shows that teamwork isn’t just a theory. It is the cornerstone of effective, compassionate public health and healthcare practice. Even if you aren’t wearing a pink cape and tassel today, you are part of the interprofessional collaboration that powers public health. These lessons, now ingrained in our minds and mission statements, will carry us forward as we help shape a healthier world, where public health is dynamic and resilient. Public health is as much about knowledge and values as it is about people. So, as we step into this next chapter, remember don’t work in silos, build bridges, and be life-long learners.”
Raizin ended his remarks recommending to his fellow graduates, “As Master Oogway from Kung Fu Panda said, ‘Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.’ Congratulations, Class of 2026, cherish this moment! The world needs your dedication and drive.”
His UConn Graduate School programs leader couldn’t be prouder of the Class of 2026.
“I am so proud of this year’s graduate students who have completed their programs. They have worked hard to earn their degrees and have bright futures as they embark on their next steps. Congratulations to all of them!” concludes Barbara E. Kream, Ph.D., associate dean of the UConn Graduate School programs at UConn Health.
Doctor Dreams Come True Thanks to HCOP
The UConn School of Medicine’s Class of 2026 includes the new Dr. Lucia Duenas-Bianchi, MPH, 30, of Glastonbury, who immigrated to the U.S. from Peru when she was four years old. Since the age of 13 she’s been a part of the Health Career Opportunities Programs (HCOP) at UConn Health, founded and directed for over two decades by physician-scientist Dr. Marja Hurley that aims to get Connecticut’s young people of all socio-economic backgrounds interested in future careers in the health sciences. After graduation Duenas-Bianchi is staying at UConn for her internal medicine residency training. “I’m staying! I’m excited! UConn is family, I can’t leave my family behind. I’m here to stay!” Duenas-Bianchi said. “I went through all the HCOP programs, even for research. I am happily following in Dr. Hurley’s footsteps.”
Duenas-Bianchi, who earned her dual medical and MPH degree from UConn, says graduation day from UConn’s medical school feels surreal in the most beautiful way.
“You spend years working toward something, pouring everything you have into it, and then suddenly the moment is here and your brain almost cannot process it. I have dreamed of this moment since I was a little girl, I even had a Fisher Price doctor’s bag to prove it. And now that it’s finally here, I find myself just wanting to pause and soak in every single second of it. I keep having to remind myself that this is real: that graduation is actually happening. It’s a reminder that dreams, the ones you fight for, do come true,” she concludes and looked forward more than anything to give her husband and parents the biggest hug after graduation.
“My parents sacrificed so much to give me every opportunity to be here today and my husband has been my rock every step of the way: through every late night, every moment of doubt, and every milestone along this journey. When I walk across that stage, I will be thinking of them every step of the way. This degree is theirs as much as it is mine: their love, every sacrifice, every moment of encouragement brought me to that stage. That hug will be our moment of celebration, one we have all earned together.”
This year’s UConn School of Dental Medicine’s graduating class also includes standout student Dr. Wesia Meriam Malik, 27, of Berlin, Conn. who also participated in HCOP’s HCOP pipeline programs during high school and then proceeded to also becoming a peer counselor during college.
“My favorite part of HCOP was getting mentored by the medical and dental students because they made the experience feel motivating. Now it feels like a full circle moment, where a dream I thought about a long time ago is finally coming true!” says Malik.
It also feels surreal Malik says to be walking across the Commencement stage finally at UConn.
“I feel like I blinked and here I am being called Dr. Malik. I am excited for my journey post-grad, where I will be at Saint Francis Hospital for my general practice residency,” Malik shares. “My UConn School of Dental Medicine experience was both rigorous and rewarding. The program challenged me academically and clinically, while also giving me a strong foundation across all areas of dental medicine. I am forever grateful to everyone I met along the way, friends, mentors, and faculty who were incredible and played an instrumental part of my growth in dental school.”
Malik also remarked about HCOP’s impact and its longtime leader Hurley.
“I don’t think my dream of becoming a doctor could have been achieved if it weren’t for HCOP and all the opportunities it provided. Dr. Hurley is an incredible leader, mentor, and physician who has played an instrumental role in shaping the type of healthcare providers we are becoming through her work with HCOP. Her dedication to mentorship, education, and student development created an environment where we felt supported, challenged, and encouraged to grow both personally and professionally. She consistently led by example through her compassion, leadership, and commitment to serving others, which made a lasting impact on my experience in HCOP.”
Malik shares her advice to others dreaming of future careers in the health sciences: “Take every failure as a stepping stone for growth, don’t every be afraid to ask – the worst thing that someone can tell you is no, but it might be a doorway for more opportunities to open up, get involved and learn as much as you can!”
BOD Faculty Recognition Award Winner
The 2026 recipient of the UConn Health Board of Directors Faculty Recognition Award was Dr. David Shafer, associate professor and chair of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the UConn School of Dental Medicine.
Shafer is a nationally and internationally recognized scholar in oral and maxillofacial surgery and implantology and has made significant contributions to both the postdoctoral and predoctoral curricula in the School of Dental Medicine. Shafer is an accomplished practitioner who is sought after by dental and medical colleagues throughout the state and region for the management of complex patient needs.
Shafer has made significant contributions to both the postdoctoral and predoctoral curricula in the School of Dental Medicine and the Graduate School. Shafer is a nationally and internationally recognized scholar in oral and maxillofacial surgery and implantology.
In addition to his departmental leadership role, Shafer has served on numerous School of Dental Medicine and UConn Health committees. He continues to serve as the Associate Chief of Staff of the Medical Staff and has been the Chief of the JDH Department of Dentistry since 1997. In addition, Shafer serves as a voting member of the UConn Health Board of Directors Clinical Affairs Subcommittee, a position held since 2002.
Congrats to the UConn Health Class of 2026! Watch the replay of UConn Health’s 55th Commencement.
