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New Physicians Will Serve in U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force

Major General Matthew G. Glavy (United States Marine Corps), administers the Navy oath to his daughter, Jena Glavy, 25, during the military ceremony.

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Red, blue, and now white, brought new meaning for 91����’s as five members of its class of 2018 proudly represented three branches of the United States military at the medical school’s . These newly minted physicians will be entering the military immediately to serve as officers – a record number in the medical school’s history. 

These graduates participated in a special military ceremony during the main graduation ceremony, which took place in the in Boca Raton. Jena Glavy, 25, who is entering the Navy will conduct her medical residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the Naval Medical Center San Diego in California. Her father, (United States Marine Corps), administered her Navy oath during the ceremony along with Kristen Azzam, 38, who also is entering the Navy to conduct her medical residency in family medicine at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton in California.

Emma Craig, 25, is entering the Air Force to conduct her medical residency in internal medicine at the San Antonio Military Medical Center in Texas. Michael Migita, 29, also is entering the Air Force to conduct his medical residency in pediatrics at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in Virginia.

Trevor Reitz, 26, class president, is entering the Army to conduct his medical residency in radiology at Triple Army Medical Center in Hawaii. He was “hooded” by his older sister Cara Reitz, M.D., 28, who graduated from 91����’s College of Medicine in 2016 and also is in the Army. 

All 63 class members on stage were “hooded” during the ceremony, which is a symbolic rite of passage from one generation of physicians to the next generation of physicians.

From left: Major General Matthew G. Glavy (United States Marine Corps); Jena Glavy, M.D.; Kristen Azzam, M.D.; Emma Craig, M.D.; Trevor Reitz, M.D.; Michael Migita, M.D.; and Larry Brickman, M.D.

“Today is a momentous occasion for Jena, Kristen, Emma, Michael and Trevor as they prepare to proudly serve our country as well as for all of our graduates in the class of 2018,” said , M.D., dean of 91����’s College of Medicine. “As you move forward in your careers, remember that medicine is a team sport. Much of the power of medicine lies in the successful teamwork of many individuals, and 91���� has primed you for the team sport of medicine.” 

During the military ceremony, the officer’s oath was administered by , M.D., an associate professor of surgery, director of clinical education in surgery and a retired major in the U.S. Army Reserve.

, III, M.D., Ph.D., the Ellen and Melvin Gordon Distinguished Professor of Medical Education and professor of orthopaedic surgery at Harvard Medical School, provided the keynote remarks. White advocates for diversity in health care equality and is the first African-American to graduate from Stanford School of Medicine. He also served as a captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in Vietnam, earning him a bronze star.

“Fellow physicians, today is the culmination of years of hard work, inspiration and dedication,” said , M.D., senior associate dean of student affairs and admissions in 91����’s College of Medicine. “On behalf of all of us in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine and 91���� we wish you continued success in all of your endeavors. Congratulations class of 2018.”

Markowitz, , M.D., senior associate dean for medical education, and , M.D., assistant dean for student affairs, in 91����’s College of Medicine, presented four awards and later announced and hooded the M.D. candidates during the graduation ceremony.

“We have another tremendous milestone this year as 19 members of our graduating class have been hooded by a physician family member,” said Markowitz.

Approximately one-third of the class of 2018 will remain in Florida to do their residencies. In line with  91����’s College of Medicine’s mission, one-third of the graduating class will enter primary care specialties. Highly competitive residency programs also are represented such as urology, anesthesiology, dermatology, neurology, orthopedics and surgery specialties.

Among the various Florida institutions are: University of Florida College of Medicine - Shands Hospital, Gainesville; University of Miami Miller School of Medicine at Jackson Memorial Hospital; University of Miami Miller School of Medicine at Holy Cross; University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa; Kendall Regional Medical Center, Miami; Orange Park Medical Center,  Orange Park; University of Central Florida, Orlando; and the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Boca Raton.

The class of 2018 also placed in several top institutions nationally including: Harvard/ Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston; Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire; Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania; Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, D.C.; Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina; Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York.

Following the graduation ceremony, the class of 2018 and guests enjoyed a special reception in the Live Oak Pavilion generously underwritten by Michael T.B. Dennis, M.D., a member of 91����’s Board of Trustees and chair of the advisory board for 91����’s College of Medicine.

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