Postbac Premed Students Celebrate at Certificate Ceremony

More than 90 students were recognized as candidates for and recipients of the Certificate in Premedical Sciences at the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program’s Premedical Sciences Certificate Ceremony on May 15 in Low Memorial Library Rotunda.

Honorees and their guests were formally welcomed by School of General Studies Dean Peter J. Awn.

The welcome was followed by the keynote address given by Robert Marion, MD, director of admissions and professor of pediatrics, obstetrics, gynecology and Women's health at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Marion playfully advised students on the dos and don'ts of a medical school interview.

The keynote address was followed by a presentation of certificate candidates and alumni pins, in which Postbac Premed students were recognized for the completion of their premedical coursework.

A highlight of the ceremony was the student address entitled, "What Color is your Coat?" given by Shekinah Elmore, a former public health professional turned premedical student. Elmore playfully spoke about the difference of between public health advocates and doctors through the choice of the color of their coats-colorful versus white.

Andrew Sunshine, director of the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program and Associate Dean of Students, closed the ceremony thanking all those who supported Postbac students throughout their tenure at Columbia University.

To view more photos from the ceremony, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/columbiags/sets/72157618914051998.