Future physicians graduate today
[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Low_Donald.jpg” caption=”Dr. Donald Low will receive an honorary Doctor of Science degree today for his role in calming the public’s fears during the SARS outbreak. Photo courtesy of FHS.”]Young and smart is the profile of the largest graduating class of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine.
One hundred and fifty-two physicians will graduate at the Faculty of Health Sciences spring convocation at Hamilton Place on Friday, May 23. It's a group that, when entering the program, had more than 85 per cent younger than 25 and the highest entering mean grade point average (3.88) in the history of McMaster's medical school.
Among the class are three women, Suzanne Dullege, 50, of Newmarket, ON; Nathalie Slaney, 38, of Sudbury and Norma Charriere, 48, of Thompson, MB, who had previous careers as nurses.
The class also includes sisters Rebecca Kruisselbrink, 23, and Richelle Kruisselbrink, 22, home-schooled sisters from Tara near Owen Sound, ON. They are musicians with seven recordings to their credit. Their upbringing, they say, made McMaster's medical school a natural choice because of its internationally respected problem-based, self-directed learning program.
Another physician graduate is Lieutenant Brad Stewart, 47, a member of the armed forces who is also a professional engineer and holds an MBA degree.
At the convocation, an honorary doctorate will be bestowed on Donald Low, the doctor who helped steer a frightened public through the SARS outbreak five years ago. He will receive an honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) degree.
Low is microbiologist-in-chief at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto and a professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto.
A recognized authority in microbiology and infectious diseases, Low has published more than 170 papers in peer-reviewed journals.
In total, 373 will graduate at the convocation, receiving baccalaureate degrees in midwifery or health sciences, and masters and doctorates degrees in science, physiotherapy and other diplomas.
