Harvard Medical School Graduates Face "Treacherous Times" Amidst Funding Cuts and Misinformation, Dean and Keynote Speaker Urge Courage and Action
The graduating class of 2025 from Harvard Medical School’s master’s programs is stepping into a professional landscape fraught with challenges, Dean George Q. Daley declared at the convocation ceremony. Daley painted a stark picture of "treacherous times," citing "catastrophic funding cuts" to science and academia and the cancellation of vital research. He highlighted the increasing public misunderstanding of public health, placing Harvard squarely in the crosshairs of a shifting political climate, particularly referencing the stance of U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on vaccines and scientific institutions. Despite this daunting backdrop, Daley emphasized the power graduates wield through their knowledge and training, particularly those in programs like the Master of Science in Media, Medicine, and Health. He urged them to utilize their skills to combat the rising tide of misinformation and defend the integrity of science and healthcare.
Daley underscored the critical need for graduates to actively counter the erosion of trust in healthcare providers and scientists fueled by the proliferation of misinformation. He showcased the work of Comfort Ofori, a 2022 graduate actively debunking harmful narratives surrounding COVID-19 vaccines, infectious diseases, and health policy. Daley acknowledged the existence of adverse side effects associated with medical interventions but stressed the importance of rigorous study and nuanced policy analysis to effectively address them, rather than succumbing to fear-mongering and misinformation. He called upon the graduating class to confront these challenges head-on, using their education as a shield against the spread of false narratives.
Keynote speaker Linda Villarosa, an acclaimed journalist, educator, and author of "Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on Health in America," echoed Daley’s call to action. Villarosa emphasized the unique responsibility this generation of health professionals bears in combating misinformation. She framed the current challenges as opportunities for positive change, urging graduates to continue using inclusive language, even in the face of potential backlash. Above all, Villarosa championed the importance of courage, a quality she believes is often neglected in medical training.
To illustrate the power of courage, Villarosa shared three compelling anecdotes. The first recounted a young woman training in obstetrics and gynecology who witnessed a medical team disregard a mother’s pain during childbirth, prioritizing clinical protocols over patient comfort. The student, overwhelmed yet determined, offered the only solace she could: holding the mother’s hand. Villarosa praised this simple act as an embodiment of the courage needed in the medical field. The second story focused on two Black medical students who challenged a professor’s use of a race-based correction for kidney function, a practice rooted in outdated and scientifically flawed assumptions. Despite the professor’s dismissal, the students bravely reported him to the administration, demonstrating the courage to challenge established norms.
Villarosa’s third story highlighted the work of artist and activist Michelle Browder, who confronted the dark legacy of Dr. J. Marion Sims, a figure revered as the "father of modern gynecology" despite his unethical experimentation on enslaved Black women. Browder is establishing a memorial and women’s health clinic on the site of Sims’s former practice, transforming a place of historical trauma into a space of healing and empowerment. Villarosa lauded this act as a profound display of courage, reclaiming a painful past to create a brighter future.
These stories served as a powerful call to action for the graduating class. Villarosa implored them to embrace courage in their careers, extending their mission beyond medical practice to "heal civilization." Invoking the words of the late Toni Morrison, she urged them to speak, write, and take action, reminding them that it is during times of adversity that good people must step forward and work towards healing and progress. She emphasized the importance of truth, science, empathy, and love as guiding principles in their endeavors, reminding them that their roles extend beyond treating individual patients to addressing systemic issues and promoting a more just and equitable healthcare system. Villarosa’s message resonated with the graduating class, leaving them with a powerful reminder of their potential to make a meaningful difference in a world grappling with complex challenges.