Class of 2024 donned with academic hoods at annual ceremony

Medical students in the Class of 2024 took the Hippocratic Oath during the ceremony.

Cheered on by their families, faculty and staff, the Class of 2024 received their academic hoods at the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine’s Academic Hooding Ceremony, held Friday, May 3, in the Mitchell Center. 

Seventy-four medical students took the Hippocratic Oath and were hooded by people of their choosing. Those with military affiliation took the military oath of office and received their new rank. Two graduating doctoral students in the Basic Medical Sciences Graduate Program were awarded doctoral hoods by their major professor. 

When they were conferred their degrees at the University of South Alabama’s Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 4, the Class of 2024 became the 49th class to receive medical degrees from the Whiddon College of Medicine.

As the college closed out its 50th anniversary, USA President Jo Bonner asked the class to reflect on the history of the Medical Sciences Building, where the students received their pre-clerkship education. “Think of all the lives that have been touched, that have been changed, that have been healed, that have been saved, because of the young men and women who have entered the doors of your tired, old building,” he said. 

Bonner said he wished the Class of 2024 would have the opportunity to learn and study in the new College of Medicine building that is under construction. While the new facility isn’t scheduled to open until early 2027, he encouraged the soon-to-be physicians to come back as alumni “to be a part of what you have helped build.” 

Antwan Hogue, M.D., speaks to the Class of 2024.

The students selected Antwan Hogue, M.D., a 2012 alumnus of the Whiddon College of Medicine, to address the class. The charismatic faculty member holds several positions in the Whiddon College of Medicine and USA Health. He is an assistant professor of internal medicine, a senior hospitalist, and medical director of the Johnson Haynes Jr., M.D. Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center. He and his wife, Ashley Williams Hogue, M.D., co-founded Project Inspire, a USA Health hospital-based injury prevention program designed to curb youth gun violence.

Among his involvement with students, Hogue is a faculty advisor for Black Men in White Coats and the Student National Medical Association. At last week’s honors ceremony, the senior class bestowed upon Hogue the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award for demonstrating outstanding compassion to patients and their families. 

In February, Hogue accompanied several members of the class on a medical mission trip to Rwanda. He shared with the audience a term he learned in Africa: Nimeza. In the Kinyarwanda language, the phrase simply means, “I’m OK” or “I’m good.” 

“Nimeza seemed to be a way of life for the people of Rwanda, many of whom have endured a great deal of suffering,” Hogue said. As the volunteers made their rounds and asked patients how they were doing, their response was always the same. No matter how well or how critically ill the patients may have been, they would boldly say, “Nimeza.” 

Hogue was encouraged by their determination to seek good in every situation. “Always remember that your response and reaction is a choice,” he said, “and that it will shape your way of life and the way that you practice medicine.

“As you don your hood today, do it proudly,” he added. “Let it not only reflect your hard work, dedication and academic achievement, but it should also be a reminder of the trust that has been placed in your hands and the profound responsibility that comes with being a physician.” 

Carey Johnson addresses his classmates.

Carey Johnson, president of the Class of 2024, began his final address to the class in an unconventional way. He asked everyone in the audience to take out their cell phones. “First off, I want you to take a selfie, because man, y’all look good,” Johnson said. He demonstrated by flashing a smile while taking his own photo at the podium. 

Then he instructed the crowd to turn their phones to video mode. “I want you to press record and repeat after me: ‘You got this. I’ve made it through before. Nobody can do it like I can.’” He advised his peers, “Remember this day when things inevitably get difficult, and refer to this video when you need just a little more motivation for your day.” 

Johnson was a scholar in the Primary Care Pathway and was elected to the Arnold P. Gold Humanism in Medicine Honor Society. He was involved in numerous organizations including the Pediatrics Interest Group, Black Men in White Coats, and the Student National Medical Association. 

Soon, Johnson will begin his residency training in pediatrics at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital. “As we transition into our prospective residencies, continue to lean on each other and your support system,” he said.

Johnson said they may encounter doubters along the way. In those moments, he reminded them of a saying from one of his mentors. “When the haters ask, ‘How did you do it?’ I hope you respond like the late, great Dr. Johnson Haynes: ‘Just like you. I just did it better.’” 

Several faculty awards also were announced at the Academic Hooding Ceremony. They were:

• Best Pre-Clerkship Module: Respiratory
• Best Pre-Clerkship Educator: Abu-Bakr Al-Mehdi, M.D., Ph.D.
• Best M3 Clerkship: Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Best Clerkship Educator: Nicolette Holliday, M.D.

View more photos from the Academic Hooding Ceremony and Spring Commencement on Flickr. 

Watch video of the recorded livestream on YouTube.