Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar graduates 17 new physicians into international medical community

The graduates, 13 women and four men, represent 10 different nationalities. These include Qatar, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Tunisia and the United States.

They will move on to the next stage of their medical and scientific careers, going to residency training or research programs in the United States and Qatar.

Speakers at today's event are Javaid Sheikh, MD, MBA, interim dean of WCMC-Q; Antonio Gotto, Jr., MD, dean of the Weill Cornell Medical College, David Skorton, president of Cornell University, and Imran Farooq, MD, a member of the Class of 2009 and Student Commencement Speaker.

Dr Sheikh said:

"As we celebrate the graduation of our second class, we welcome the opportunity to reflect on the growth of these men and woman as individuals, as physicians and on the growth of our institution as we implement our triple mission of education, research and patient care. Their progress and ours is testimony to the dedication and hard work of all employees here and our partners."

Dr Sheikh added, "We are indebted to the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah and Qatar Foundation for their vision and commitment to our program which is producing graduates of the highest quality. We also pay tribute to our colleagues in Weill Cornell Medical College in New York and Cornell University for their key roles."

"The success of the Class of 09 is also evidence of the strength of the relationship we have built with Hamad Medical Corporation, our partners in medical education, clinical training and research. There are currently 130 Cornell appointed faculty in HMC working with us to educate our students and they are instrumental in their development. So much so that we are delighted to include representatives of HMC in our ceremonial this evening as a mark of their contribution," stated Dr Sheikh.

Imran Farooq, WCMC-Q Class of 2009 graduate and Student Commencement Speaker, said, "Today is one of the highlights of our lives. This class will be bonded forever by our experiences and the relationships we have forged during our time here. Our appreciation goes to our faculty, our parents and all those staff and partners of WCMC-Q who have made our education possible. We look forward to joining the international medical community and are proud to have received our degrees in this country with its unique commitment to, and investment in, education, scientific research and healthcare."

"We are tremendously proud of our WCMC-Q graduates and their commitment to science and medicine," said Antonio M. Gotto, Jr., M.D., dean of Weill Cornell Medical College. "I am confident they will make their contribution to the health and well being of patients here in Qatar and around the world for the benefit of mankind."

Cornell University President, David Skorton, added, "I am delighted to come to Qatar again to award the Cornell MD degree to members of the second class graduating from WCMC-Q. The educational mission of the college is in full swing and each year we are witnessing new doctors emerging in the country. For the University, this will always be a notable landmark in our annual calendar as it is for the students and their parents. I wish them well on their journey."

The graduating students will also attend the general commencement of Weill Cornell Medical College students at Carnegie Hall in New York City on June 2. Cornell is the first American University to offer its MD degree outside the United States.