May 9, 2025

Congratulations, Warrior M.D. Class of 2025: School of Medicine graduates more than 300 new physicians

Friends in the M.D. Class of 2025 pose in front of the Fox Theatre in Detroit before the Commencement and Hooding Ceremony on May 8.

After four years of medical education at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, Madison Graifman, M.D., is prepared to be a pediatrician in her home state of New York.

“It is time to go home, but Wayne prepared me well,” she said, a few hours before being handed her diploma by School of Medicine Dean Wael Sakr, M.D.

“There was very early hands-on experience, and I feel prepared for residency. I feel like there is no catching up to do,” she said.

Graifman celebrated becoming a doctor with 308 classmates during the Class of 2025’s Commencement and Hooding Ceremony, held May 8 at the Fox Theatre in Detroit.

Class of 2025 M.D. graduate Nili Modi adjusts her tam in the mirror before the ceremony.

Also among the new physicians was John Knapp, M.D., whose parents are School of Medicine graduates Carole Kowalczyk, M.D., ’89, and John Knapp, M.D., ’87.

“I’m very blessed and honored to be here and follow in my parents’ footsteps, for them and for my school,” Knapp said.

“He always wanted to be a doctor,” Dr. Kowalczyk said. “I’ve been crying all day. There are no words to describe the love and pride I have.”

The new doctors were officially congratulated on stage by members of the faculty, including department chairs and directors, School of Medicine executive leadership, deans and members of WSU President Kimberly Andrews Espy’s cabinet and the WSU Board of Governors.

Graduate John Knapp, center, with his parents Carole Kowalczyk, M.D. '89 and John Knapp, M.D. '87.

“To our esteemed graduates, on behalf of the faculty of the School of Medicine, I offer our heartfelt congratulations on the completion of this remarkable milestone. We share with your family, faculty and your friends the immense pride in what you have accomplished,” Dean Sakr said.

Detroit-born and -raised Christopher Smith, M.D., graduated from Wayne State University with his undergraduate degree in 2020, only months after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of all commencements at Wayne State. He will start a Family Medicine residency at Henry Ford Health in Detroit this summer.

“This is my first college graduation. I’ve never walked across the stage,” he said.

Hours later, he walked, then stood in front of a jubilant audience that included his own cheering section of family and friends.

The ceremony’s speakers included Dean Sakr, Mistress of Ceremonies and Senior Associate Dean of Students and Undergraduate Medical Education Initiatives Margit Chadwell, M.D., ’94; WSU Board of Governors member Michael Busuito, M.D., ’81, Res. ’88; WSU Senior Vice President of Health Affairs Bernard Costello, M.D.; WSU Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Laurie Lauzon Clabo, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN, to officially confer the degrees; and Medical Alumni Association President Piero Simone, M.D., ’95.

The commencement address was given by keynote speaker Natasha Bagdasarian, M.D., who graduated from the School of Medicine 20 years ago and is now chief medical executive for the state of Michigan in the Department of Health and Human Services.

“You have made it. You’re here today and you leave this hall with a new title – doctor,” she said.

Six School of Medicine graduates who attended medical school as part of the U.S. Health Professions Scholarship Program were promoted to their current rank at the ceremony.

Before the ceremony, Dr. Bagdasarian reflected on how having a medical degree opened doors, giving her the opportunity to practice medicine in the United States and internationally, and to advocate for public health causes important to her.

“This degree is different. This degree comes with trust. In this moment, your voice matters more,” she said later, moments after taking a selfie with the graduates from the stage.

The Marshal of Students was Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Eva Waineo, M.D. ’05, Res. ’09, an honor selected by students and given to a faculty member who has contributed greatly to their education. The Marshal of Faculty was Nashat Imran, M.D., associate professor of Internal Medicine (Nephrology) and president of the School of Medicine Faculty Senate.

After the investiture of the doctoral hoods, Senior Vice Dean for Medical Education Richard Baker, M.D., administered the professional oath to the new physicians.

In a solemn moment, Dr. Chadwell spoke of Warrior in Memoriam Coltrane Groves, a Class of 2025 student who died May 16, 2023. The school honored Groves, and will gift his family with a class composite that includes his photo, and a silver tassel symbolizing him as the first physician in his family.

Then, a Military Officer Promotion Ceremony for six Class of 2025 members was held, led by United States Air Force (retired) Col. Arthur Eisenbrey, M.D. ’86, Ph.D., ’80., a clinical professor of Pathology, and included 2nd Lt. Natalie Amodei, M.D., U.S. Army; 2nd Lt. Aaron Wilke, M.D., U.S. Army; 2nd Lt. Nicholas Stevenson, M.D., U.S. Air Force; ENS Crisshy Auguste, M.D., U.S. Navy; Capt. Victoria Allard, M.D., Michigan Army National Guard; and 2nd Lt. Jordan Tall, M.D., Michigan Army National Guard.

Class of 2025 President Aarti Patel, M.D., closed the ceremony by directly addressing her classmates, and reminding them of the four-year journey they took together.

“We became a community. We became leaders, advocates, collaborators, learners and fighters. We became Warriors,” she said.