Fauci Urges Graduates to "Make a Difference" in Trouble World

As COVID-19 continued to rage, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci told the newest cohort of Yale School of Public Health graduates gathered in Amistad Park that the world needs them now more than ever.

“The challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic at home and abroad have brought into sharp focus the world’s need for the science and art of public health professionals,” the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said to the 186 students receiving their M.P.H. degrees as friends, family and guests watched online. Thirty-seven students earned M.S. degrees and 10 earned a Ph.D.

Over six decades of leadership at NIAID, Fauci has advised seven presidents on HIV/AIDS as well as many other domestic and global health issues and has become a leading government voice on the coronavirus. Fauci was recipient of YSPH’s Centennial C.-E. A. Winslow Award in 2015 in honor of his life’s work in combating domestic and global public health issues.

And from his livestreamed keynote address to the socially distanced group of students, Fauci had more choice advice for when technical difficulties arise.

“Expect the unexpected,” he said. “Seize the opportunities to make a difference when the unexpected arises.”

YSPH Dean Sten H. Vermund, who delivered his commencement speech from the dais, told members of the graduating class that they were well equipped to meet the challenges of a post-coronavirus world—and to make sure that the new normal is equitable and fair.

“You have a skillset that the world desperately needs right now,” he said. “We all hope that you leave with pride, knowing that your studies in public health happened at a truly historic time of challenge for our nation and our globe.”

Vermund then highlighted the promising work of two of the YSPH graduates. Joanna Chen, M.P.H. in biostatistics, researches ways to accelerate the process of drug discovery using artificial intelligence and investigates new treatments for veterans with migraines, among other activities. She was honored as student marshal. Allison Bailey, M.P.H. in epidemiology of microbial diseases, who volunteers extensively for the New Haven community as a contact tracer and in other roles, served as the banner-bearer.

For graduates who spent a considerable portion of their studies remotely, their achievements and scholarship left quite an impression. “Engaging with you, our future public health leaders, learning about your accomplishments, plans and aspirations, gives me a tremendous sense of optimism for the future of our field,” Vermund said.

Graduate Misikir Wondaferahu Adnew underscored the importance of health equity in her address as the class speaker.

Adnew told her classmates of the challenges she had to overcome to succeed at YSPH, from dealing with imposter syndrome to being an international student. But she said the difficulty also gave her a chance to grow.

“Indeed, I was challenged, but in a good way,” she said. “I jumped on board the various great opportunities Yale had to offer and learned a lot.”