Van Hollen Joins Uniformed Services University Medical Students, Nurses for First-Time Virtual Commencement
USU Students Graduate Early to Serve on Coronavirus Front Lines
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) participated in the first-ever virtual graduation ceremony for the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU), marking the early graduation of the Class of 2020. USU, located in Bethesda, Maryland, is the nation’s federal health professions academy, educating and developing health professionals and scientists to serve our military. Medical students and advanced practice nursing students from the USU Class of 2020 are graduating several weeks early to help support their colleagues in the military health system amid the global coronavirus pandemic.
Video of the Senator’s remarks is available here.
During his remarks, the Senator said, “USU is a unique, world-class university. Your predecessors populate the top ranks of healthcare professionals in the Armed Services, U.S. Public Health Service, and they're among the finest researchers in the world on TBI, PTSD, and other health challenges facing our service members and our country. I've long been a supporter of your work, and, as a Senator from Maryland, I'm proud that this national treasure has its home in our state.”
He went on to note, “By graduating early, you follow in the footsteps of other military university students who finished early or entered into service at times of peril. Like then-future President Jimmy Carter and before him, future President Dwight Eisenhower, during World War I. An early graduation hasn't been done in more than seven decades, and that is a reflection of the gravity of the challenge before us.”
The Senator underscored the important of their service, saying, “As most Americans practice social distancing, you are headed to the front lines to fight the COVID-19 epidemic. The public health crisis underscores the importance of USU to our nation – a unique school with a vitally important mission.”
He closed his remarks, “Be leaders, wherever you go. We don't know how long this public health crisis will last. But we do you know this: your knowledge, your skill, your patriotism and compassion, will help our country weather the storm and emerge strong on the other side. Your coolness under pressure will save lives. This is the time to show what you can do. Thank you and Godspeed.”
A full transcript of the Senator’s remarks follows:
Greetings to all of you, the Uniformed Services University Class of 2020. Congratulations. I wish we could all be gathered in person, but under the circumstances, it's an honor to address this virtual graduation.
USU is a unique, world-class university. Your predecessors populate the top ranks of healthcare professionals in the Armed Services, U.S. Public Health Service, and they're among the finest researchers in the world on TBI, PTSD, and other health challenges facing our service members and our country. I've long been a supporter of your work, and, as a Senator from Maryland, I'm proud that this national treasure has its home in our state. For those of you from elsewhere, I hope you've had a chance to eat some Maryland crabs with Old Bay seasoning during your time here.
As you embark on your tours of duty, I know President Thomas, Dean Kellerman, Dean Romano, and the entire USU faculty have prepared you well. You're ready to continue to serve our country in this new capacity. By graduating early, you follow in the footsteps of other military university students who finished early or entered into service at times of peril. Like then-future President Jimmy Carter and before him, future President Dwight Eisenhower, during World War I. An early graduation hasn't been done in more than seven decades, and that is a reflection of the gravity of the challenge before us.
As most Americans practice social distancing, you are headed to the front lines to fight the COVID-19 epidemic. The public health crisis underscores the importance of USU to our nation – a unique school with a vitally important mission. And its graduates – all of you – combine superb healthcare expertise with top leadership skills. USU grads have served our country for over 50 years. And the country and Congress must provide you with all the resources you need to defeat the coronavirus. As new needs arise, I promise to do everything possible to ensure that you have all the tools and protective equipment you need in this fight.
Our nation needs help. And this battlefield promotion is the moment for each of you to do exactly what you – more than any other physicians and nurses – are trained to do: work in austere conditions, bring order from chaos, deploy to new environments on short notice, and stand up new facilities.
Be leaders, wherever you go. We don't know how long this public health crisis will last. But we do know this: your knowledge, your skill, your patriotism and compassion will help our country weather the storm and emerge strong on the other side. Your coolness under pressure will save lives. This is the time to show what you can do.
Thank you and Godspeed.
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