This morning, I had the privilege of welcoming the Class of 2030 as they began their journey at the .
This is my 12th 鈥渇irst day鈥 as dean of the Morsani College of Medicine, and it never gets old. Every year still hums with the students鈥 excitement, energy and eagerness.
Every year, the students鈥 academic preparation seems to get a little bit stronger (median MCAT score of 521 鈥 at the 98th percentile and median GPA of 3.98).
Every year, the students somehow look a little bit younger.
And every year, the body of medical knowledge they are expected to master grows exponentially.
That is why I stress that the most important skill they will acquire here is not simply what to learn, but how to learn, how to reason critically, question thoughtfully and remain lifelong learners. I also remind them that while medicine is the noblest of professions, it is also among the most demanding.
Their education will therefore blend the newest technologies 鈥 from artificial intelligence to high-fidelity medical simulation 鈥 with the ancient wisdom of Stoic philosophy, helping them build resilience and grit, think deeply, and embrace challenges rather than retreat from them. Each year, we give our first-year students Ryan Holiday鈥檚 The Obstacle Is the Way as an accessible introduction to Stoicism and its enduring lessons in resilience, perspective and transforming adversity into opportunity.
Today, their four-year journey through medical school began. But the most important lesson is that their learning must never end.
To learn more about the Class of 2030, click here.