Albert Einstein College of Medicine honored its Class of 2025 on May 21 at its graduation ceremony at David Geffen Hall in Lincoln Center. At the event, Einstein conferred 167 M.D. degrees and 28 Ph.D. degrees. In addition, 10 graduates of Einstein’s Medical Scientist Training Program received both an M.D. and a Ph.D. degree, and 13 graduates received master of science degrees or other certificates.

Ruth Gottesman, Ed.D., congratulates a graduate

Barry S. Coller, M.D., David Rockefeller Professor and vice president for medical affairs, physician-in-chief, head of the Allen and Frances Adler Laboratory of Blood and Vascular Biology, and co-director for the Center for Clinical and Translational Science at The Rockefeller University, delivered the keynote address. Dr. Coller is known for his research in platelet physiology and the invention of the anti-clotting drug abciximab, which has been used to treat more than five million patients worldwide.

“You have demonstrated a superhuman capacity for delayed gratification and made many sacrifices to prepare yourselves for this day, which marks the beginning of your careers in scientific discovery and the healing arts,” said Dr. Coller. “And your reward is the ability to apply your unique intellectual gifts, your hard-won new knowledge, and your humane sensitivity to advancing our understanding of basic biomedical science and alleviating suffering from illness. Each of you should feel very good about your choice, your calling, and yourself.”

Barry Coller, M.D., delivers the keynote address

Other speakers included Philip O. Ozuah, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Montefiore Medicine and Yaron Tomer, M.D., the Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean at Einstein and chief academic officer at Montefiore Einstein. Amanda Raff, M.D. ’98, professor of medicine and interim associate dean for medical education at Einstein, served as grand marshal.

Medicine is not merely about treating ailments; it is about building relationships based on trust and compassion,” said Dr. Tomer. “In a time when technology can overshadow human connection, remember that you are not just healers but also listeners, supporters, and champions of hope.”

Jehron Pura-Bryant, M.D., who will begin a residency as an internist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center in July, said he loved his time at Einstein, where he cherished memories of friends, family, and community. “What I hope to take with me from Einstein is the emphasis on patients first and being compassionate with patients,” said Dr. Pura-Bryant. “That’s something I hope to bring to the table wherever I end up. I’m looking forward to working with patients as a physician and I know that I’m a much more competent physician now that I’ve been at Einstein than I honestly think I’d be at any other medical school.”

Edward Burns, M.D., poses with a graduate

At the event, the Einstein Alumni Association honored several alumni with awards:

• Dominick P. Purpura Lifetime Achievement Award: Lynda Chin, M.D. ’93, co-founder and CEO, Apricity Health
• Distinguished Ph.D. Alum Award: Roger A. Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D. ’00, the J. Samuel Staub, M.D. Professor, and breast cancer program leader, Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine; director of basic science, Basser Research Center for BRCA; director, Penn Center for Genome Integrity
• Distinguished Alum Clinical Practitioner Award: Michael Zelefsky, M.D. ’86, professor and vice chair of academic & faculty affairs in the department of radiation oncology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine; director of brachytherapy services, Perlmutter Cancer Center
• Distinguished Alum Humanitarian/Service Award: Morris Hartstein, M.D. ’90, clinical associate professor of ophthalmology, Tel Aviv University; medical director of ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery, Shamir Medical Center
• Distinguished Alum Einstein Service Award: Ira Leviton, M.D. ’84, professor of medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; chair of the Montefiore Einstein Institutional Review Board; continuing medical education course director for infectious diseases grand rounds, Montefiore Einstein
• Einstein Honorary Alum Award: Amarilys R. Cortijo, M.D., attending physician and former medical director, Mt. Hope Family Practice; adjunct clinical assistant professor of family and social medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
• Rising Star—Clinical Practitioner Award: Lauren Roth, M.D. ’16, assistant professor of pediatrics and director of service-learning, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; pediatrician, the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore
• Rising Star—Scientific Investigator Award: Ayana Jordan, M.D., Ph.D. ’11, endowed associate professor of psychiatry and population health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine

The graduation ceremony also honored several Einstein faculty members for teaching or research excellence:

• Samuel M. Rosen Award for Outstanding Teaching (Pre-Clerkship): Sun M. Chung, M.D., assistant professor of pathology director of pathology undergraduate education, course director of surgical pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; pathologist, Montefiore Einstein
• Samuel M. Rosen Award for Outstanding Teaching (Clinical): Staci E. Pollack, M.D., M.S., professor, director of undergraduate education, and clerkship director in the department of obstetrics & gynecology and women’s health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; obstetrician and gynecologist, Montefiore Einstein
• Harry Eagle Award for Outstanding Pre-Clerkship Teaching: Mark A. Erlich, M.D. ’75, adjunct instructor of department of pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; assistant professor, Columbia University; assistant professor, The City College of New York School of Medicine
• Harry H. Gordon Award for Outstanding Clinical Teaching: Oladimeji (Ladi) Oki, M.D., assistant professor and associate director of medical student education in the department of family and social medicine, and director of health system science and equity course, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; site director, Williamsbridge Family Practice, Montefiore Einstein
• Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Teaching: Miriam Schechter, M.D., associate professor and director of medical student education in the department of pediatrics, and pediatric clerkship director, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; pediatrician, Comprehensive Family Care Center, Montefiore Einstein
• LaDonne H. Schulman Award for Excellence in Teaching: Julie Secombe, Ph.D., professor of genetics and in the Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, and course director of molecular genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

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