Rowan-Virtua SOM recognizes graduates who raised standard for academic excellence

On Thursday, May 15, the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine (SOM) community celebrated as 206 new doctors crossed the stage as graduates of the Class of 2025. Part of the Virtua Health College of Medicine & Life Sciences, SOM’s ceremony provided an opportunity for families, friends and faculty mentors to celebrate the graduates as they join the ranks of compassionate, driven osteopathic physicians. SOM Dean Richard Jermyn warmly welcomed attendees to the event and introduced esteemed guests, including Provost Anthony Lowman and Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) President Emeritus Dr. Frederick Keating. 

Addressing the graduating class, Dean Jermyn praised their resilience, noting that they began their medical school journey amidst the challenges posed by the global pandemic. He noted that despite the challenges, the Class of 2025 set a new bar for excellence in medical research with more publications and conference presentations than any prior class.  

Looking ahead to the class’s immediate future as our nation’s newest physicians, Jermyn remarked: “As SOM-trained doctors, you embody the tenets of our mission and the most humbling and fulfilling parts of our shared professional mission: to heal, to comfort, to care, and to affirm the dignity of each person you will treat.” 

A significant highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the Medal of Excellence to Dr. Fred Keating, the inaugural president of RCSJ, in recognition of his life’s work as a visionary educational leader and valued partner of Rowan University and SOM.  

The ceremony also featured an uplifting message from Srujan Dadi, president of the Class of 2025, who spoke about the tenacity of the graduating class. “Over the past four years, we've been tested by exams, long days in the clinic, moments of failure and never-ending lessons to learn,” he said. “I’ve seen some of my phenomenal peers go from a sleepless night of exam prep, straight to volunteering in the Philly/South Jersey area, and then smoothly transition into finalizing research projects to present at national conferences. The sheer tenacity of this group is something that students for years to come will be inspired by.” 

To close the ceremony, Dean Jermyn led the graduates in reciting the Osteopathic Oath, symbolizing their pledge to serve humanity with compassion and integrity.