On May 16, 2026, the UAB Heersink School of Medicine celebrated its annual Commencement ceremony. The event was held at Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.
Following the formal academic procession led by school leadership and faculty, those gathered were greeted by Anupam Agarwal, M.D., senior vice president for Medicine and dean of the UAB Heersink School of Medicine. “Nothing is more invigorating than standing before you today knowing that each of you is about to embark on a journey that will shape the future of medicine. Celebrating this milestone with you fills me with immense pride and hope as I know the world is gaining not just doctors but extraordinary and compassionate healers.”
He noted the impact this graduating class will make on the field. “The students hooded today represent 179 new physicians for our esteemed profession. An exciting highlight that is pivotal for our state is that 39% of our class will be staying in Alabama next year for their residency training.”
The 2026 keynote speaker, Victor M. Montori, M.D., M.Sc., implored graduates to understand the importance of dedicating their lives to care. “When care is reduced to the processing of information, of data, of people, something essential is lost. Patients are not data clouds, and care is not computation. No organization system, data, or technology can care; only humans can care. And that is why your work, your craft is indispensable.”
Craig Hoesley, M.D., senior associate dean for Medical Education, announced the school awards. The Hugh J. Dempsey Memorial Award is presented each year to the student with the highest overall cumulative academic achievement. This year’s recipient was Garrett Nathaniel Hawkins. The Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award, sponsored by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, is presented each year in recognition of the value of humanism in the delivery of care to patients and their families. This year’s recipient was Audria Stevyn Wood.
The Medical Alumni Association Leadership & Community Service Award was also presented during the ceremony by Rebecca R. Byrd, M.D., president of the UAB Medical Alumni Association. This year’s recipients were Edward Jacob Higginbotham and Cayla Dianne Graham.
A full list of 2026 campus departmental award recipients is located in the Heersink School of Medicine Commencement program. View photos from the ceremony, and watch the full recording of the Commencement livestream.
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