On a momentous Monday, May 19, 2025, Yale School of Nursing (YSN) celebrated its 99th commencement ceremony, marking another year of academic excellence and dedication in the field of nursing. The celebration began at the storied Old Campus of Yale University for the university-wide ceremony and ended at the prestigious Shubert Theater with a diploma ceremony and commencement keynote address by Dr Richard E. Besser, president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF).
The ceremony at Old Campus commenced with the traditional exuberance, as more than 20,000 friends, family, faculty, and the graduating class gathered to celebrate their accomplishments. YSN Dean Azita Emami presented 138 candidates to Yale President Maurie McInnis for her official act to confer upon them Master’s of Science in Nursing, Post Master’s Certificates, and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees.
Leading the YSN procession were MSN graduate Brenna Keogh ‘25 as Banner Bearer and Professor Joanne Iennaco as Faculty Marshal carrying the School mace. Student Marshals included Brianna Jackson ’25 PhD, Grace Lesser, ’25 MSN, Kimberly Medina ’25 DNP, and Anita Onuoha, 25 MSN.
The ceremony at Old Campus was followed by a diploma ceremony at the Shubert Theater where Dean Azita Emami opened by acknowledging the historical significance of the moment and recognizing the land of the Quinnipiac people. Dean Emami’s words resonated deeply with the audience as she highlighted the mission of YSN to foster better health for all people, emphasizing the importance of health justice for those facing unacceptable health disparities.
Dr. Besser, former acting director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and a prominent figure in public health, shared his vision for an equitable healthcare system where health is recognized as a right for everyone.
In his inspiring keynote speech, Dr. Besser told the story of his immigrant grandmother who worked in sweatshops before a scholarship to nursing school changed her life. He recounted how her care and advocacy for her patients, which spanned over 50 years, served as his north star throughout his own career as a medical doctor, government official, epidemiologist, and philanthropist. “There will be many times in your life and career where you will have to be guided first and foremost by your values. Instead of succumbing to fear, I want to encourage you to continue scanning your environment and the horizons of your life for a north star,” he told the graduating class of 2025.
He closed his remarks with a task for the world’s newest advanced practice nurses–the beating heart of healthcare and the most trusted health professionals. “Use the trust people feel for you. See the humanity in every patient. Work to make sure that everyone has the opportunity for health. Dream and imagine better, healthier lives for the people you will encounter and know that your extraordinary, unique abilities along with courage and empathy are your superpowers,” he said to applause.
The ceremony also featured heartfelt speeches from student representatives. Clinical Doctor of Nursing Practice graduate Melinda Rosado delivered an address about the resilience and adaptability of nurses, underscoring the critical role they play in both patient care and the broader health system.
Another poignant moment was marked by the address from Family Nurse Practitioner and Master of Science in Nursing graduate, Michael Backman. His speech resonated with the audience as he called on his peers to be innovators and change-makers in the healthcare system, advocating for a bridge between science and the soul in patient care. “We believe—not abstractly, but viscerally—that the care of the human being is sacred,” he said, “We are entering the world, armed with science, with skill, and above all, with heart. May we advocate boldly, practice humbly, and lead courageously.”
The graduates received their diplomas and the traditional nursing pins, a symbol of their readiness to join the esteemed ranks of Yale nurses and midwives. This moment was especially significant, representing the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and resilience.
As the ceremony concluded, the graduates were encouraged to hold on to the core values of compassion, integrity, and excellence instilled during their time at Yale.