Pasadena, CA – The Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine (KPSOM) graduated its inaugural class of students yesterday, a milestone for the new school, which opened in July 2020. The first-ever commencement ceremony honored the Class of 2024 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, surrounded by faculty, staff, family and guests. Two-time NBA Hall of Famer, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, was the guest commencement speaker.
With a vision to change medicine for the better, KPSOM is one of the newest medical schools in the country, offering forward-thinking medical education for future physicians by integrating a reimagined curriculum, cutting-edge technology and the latest pedagogical innovations in medical education. Named after the late Bernard J. Tyson—former Kaiser Permanente chairman and CEO—the school is committed to promoting diversity in medical education and the health profession, achieving health equity for all and eliminating health disparities wherever they exist.
In the first year of residency placements, the school confirmed 100 percent of graduating students matched to an impressive list of residency programs where they will begin their careers. The students’ most matched programs include Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Family Medicine.
“Four years ago, we set out to provide a world-class medical education as we welcomed our first class of students,” said Mark Schuster, MD, PhD, KPSOM Founding Dean and CEO. “These students took a chance on a brand-new school, started their medical education journey during the early pandemic, and spent their time not only learning, but also making important contributions to clinical care, medical scholarship, and our school’s growth. I am filled with pride as I reflect upon their achievements and celebrate how they have developed the qualities that define the best physicians. They leave us now to enter their residencies with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide compassionate, patient-centered care while improving care quality and addressing health inequities.”
“When you represent this name [of Bernard J. Tyson], it’s not about money you make, but about making change. I want you to go out there and change the world step by step,” Johnson shared during his commencement address. “Nobody will remember you being a doctor…what they will remember is how many people you touched…Remember, that’s what you got to be about. Life is beautiful when you affect somebody else’s life in such a great way.”
