Dr. Victor Dzau, President of the National Academy of Medicine, has been the honored guest at two distinguished commencement ceremonies this academic year.
On May 19, 2023, Dzau spoke at the commencement exercises of Tulane University’s School of Medicine on the future of physicians and how they can affect societal change.
“As the newest participants of our health care system, you have been empowered to help shape its future.” Dzau said in his keynote address. “Maybe this sounds a bit grandiose, but I believe in doing so, you’ll be shaping the future of our entire nation as well.”
In addition, Dr. Dzau gave the commencement address and received an honorary degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, in recognition of his work in leading the global response to COVID-19 and developing lifesaving hypertension and heart failure treatments.
“We need to make a fundamental shift from not only treating disease” Dzau said in his remarks, “but also treating the inequity and indifference in our society.”
You can watch his address and acceptance speech here at the 1 hour and 29 minute mark.
