Class of 2026 Celebrates Transition to Clinical Education

Photos by Michael DiVito

Second-year medical students in the Class of 2026 celebrated their transition from classroom-based instruction to clinical education with the Steven Z. Miller Student Clinician’s Ceremony on Jan. 5 before moving on to a series of rotations through hospital and ambulatory settings at Columbia University Irving Medical Center/NewYork-Presbyterian and affiliated hospitals.

In his remarks as the clinical faculty speaker at the event, Said Saab, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics & gynecology, encouraged the students to keep an open mind as they embark on their clinical rotations: “Remember the enthusiasm and the fire you feel right now. Use it to thrive on the wards and reflect back on it when things become difficult and challenging. You might be feeling internal or external pressure to choose a specialty, but I encourage you to keep an open mind and be open to new experiences. If you remain open to exploring, or if you’ve decided and look for the relevant threads in every block, that curiosity will propel you forward.”

Students read their class oath, which states their values and affirms their commitment to medicine and duty to their patients and communities.

Benjamin Lebwohl, MD, associate professor of medicine and epidemiology, was the faculty pre-clinical speaker at the event. He emphasized the critical role that the students will have in patient care: “MCY reaffirmed my faith in pursuing a career in medicine. You’ll be the interpreter between the physician and the patient, and your role is central to the team and to our hospital. There are times when a team doesn’t have an MCY student and it diminishes us. As you navigate this year and learn to take care of patients, take care of each other. When MCY students have each other’s backs, it helps the whole team.”