Medical School graduates celebrate achievements at 2025 commencement

Published on: June 23, 2025 By: Staff Reports

Med School commencement gallery banner — UT Southwestern Medical School graduates raise their diplomas to celebrate earning their degrees on May 16, 2025. Rejoicing at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center (from left) are Braden Wu, M.D., Lacey Barnes, M.D., Karen Shore, M.D., Ankur Bhagwath, M.D., and Pooja Venkatesh, M.D.

The atmosphere was electric with joy and anticipation on Friday, May 16, as families, friends, and faculty gathered in the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center to honor the years of hard work of 226 UT Southwestern Medical School graduates. Members of the Class of 2025 shared emotional embraces and smiled proudly, commemorating the journey they had undertaken to become physicians. The keynote address was delivered by Ross Perot Jr., a Dallas business leader and humanitarian.

The commencement ceremony not only marked the culmination of a rigorous medical education but also celebrated the dedication and accomplishments of these graduates ready to start their medical careers.

See the full residency match list, a story on Match Day at UT Southwestern, and profiles of medical student award recipients. Also, enjoy highlights from the commencement ceremony captured in photos below.

Select an image to begin the slideshow.

Charles Ginsburg, M.D., former Vice Provost and Senior Associate Dean for Education at UT Southwestern, presents the Ho Din Award to Prajwal Gowda, M.D. The Ho Din is the highest medical student honor given at UTSW, bestowed by Southwestern Medical Foundation.

Dr. Gowda delivers his acceptance speech after receiving the Ho Din Award.

Matthew Cali, M.D., receives his diploma from Daniel K. Podolsky, President of UT Southwestern.

Medical students anxiously await their turns to receive diplomas.

The monumental moment includes reciting the Physician’s Oath. At front center is Viviana González, M.D., and behind her is Sarah Gibson, M.D., M.P.H.

Dallas business leader and humanitarian Ross Perot Jr. delivers an inspiring keynote address.

Angel Sandoval, M.D., proudly displays his diploma.

Yves Kenfack, M.D., (left) and Michelle Ibidapo, M.D., celebrate their graduation.

Anusha Naeem, M.D., (left) and Pooja I. Kumar, M.D., M.P.H., are all smiles following the ceremony.

For Natalie Gault, M.D., (left) and Arushii Nadar, M.D., M.P.H., there is nothing better than a bouquet to commemorate the accomplishment.

Graduates Daniel Shay, M.D., (left) and Faraaz Azam, M.D., (right) are lifted in honor of their achievement by fourth-year medical student Alex Turner.

Ahmed Alshaikhsalama, M.D., receives a big hug for his achievement.

From left: Meena Tadros, M.D., Drupad Annapureddy, M.D., William Turlington, M.D., Varun Ravi, M.D., Vikram Aggarwal, M.D., Mahad Rehman, M.D., Ali Abbas, M.D., Rohan Tummala, M.D., Prajwal Gowda, M.D., and Cyrus Steppe, M.D., are all smiles as new UTSW Medical School graduates.

Center front: Joelle Abdallah, M.D., gives a big hug to a fellow classmate as they both complete medical school. Top, from left, are graduates Jai Prasadh, M.D., Sarah Dolphin, M.D., and Nina Stephen, M.D.

Milan Ho, M.D., is all smiles during the ceremony.

Chijindu Iheanacho, M.D., (center) receives final words of encouragement from Angela Mihalic, M.D., Dean of Medical Students and Associate Dean for Student Affairs.

Riddhi Patel, M.D., looks up at her loved ones while walking across the stage.

Tung To, M.D., (left) shakes hands with Dr. Podolsky upon receiving his diploma.

Sahiti Patibandla, M.D., (left) and Lucia Zhang, M.D., share a warm hug in celebration.

The Class of 2025 recites the Physician’s Oath, officially becoming physicians.

Sainath Kondapaneni, M.D., (left) and Ruchita Iyer, M.D., share a cheerful moment.

From left: Afeefah Khazi-Syed, M.D., Tenzin Palkyi, M.D., Davyani Srivastava, M.D., and Zureyat Sola-Odeseye, M.D., raise their diplomas in joyous celebration.

Anna Buford, M.D., (left) and Katherine Lake, M.D., take a selfie to remember the day.