Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons

Congratulations to the Class of 2023! Contact your individual school with questions related to Class Day ceremonies, and visit the graduating students and announcements pages for the most current updates.

Columbia Vagelos College graduates smiling for the camera

The Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons has several events to honor the accomplishments of the graduating students from its different programs.

The Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons marks its students' successes and milestones with several ceremonies and events throughout their medical education. These momentous occasions include the White Coat Ceremony, the Steven Z. Miller Student Clinician's Ceremony, Match Day, Class Day, and Commencement.


Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Graduation Ceremony

This ceremony recognizes graduates earning a Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biomedical Sciences.

Date: Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: The Armory, 216 Fort Washington Ave

Speaker: Atul Gawande, MD, MPH. Assistant Administrator for Global Health at USAID

Diplomas: Diplomas will be sent to students at their “Diploma (DP) Address” on file with their school’s student service portal. Need to verify your diploma details? Get more information here.

School Graduation Website: Commencement | Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons

School Contact:
Andrea Patterson
[email protected]
(212) 305-3806


Institute of Human Nutrition

Class Day Ceremony

This ceremony is an annual event celebrating the achievements of the graduating MS class. 

Date: Thursday, May 18, 2023
Time: 2:30 p.m. (Doors open at 2:00 p.m.)
Location: Alumni Auditorium, Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Speaker: Qais Karim, MD, MS. Fellow Department of Pediatrics Division of Neonatology

Diplomas: Diplomas will be sent to students at their “Diploma (DP) Address” on file with their school’s student service portal. Need to verify your diploma details? Get more information here.

School Contact: 
Alexander Sosa
[email protected] 
(212) 305-4808


Program in Genetic Counseling

MS Year-End Celebration 

This ceremony is an annual event celebrating the achievements of the graduating MS class. 

Date: Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Location: Vagelos Education Center (VEC) 201, Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Speaker: Michelle Takemoto, MS, CGC. Genetic Counselor for the Hawai'i Department of Health

Diplomas: Diplomas will be sent to students at their “Diploma (DP) Address” on file with their school’s student service portal. Need to verify your diploma details? Get more information here.

Registration: Contact [email protected]

School Contact: 
Amanda Bergner, MS, CGC
[email protected]
(212) 304-6500


Professional Health Therapy Programs

Programs in Occupational Therapy

Date: Thursday, May 18, 2023
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Alumni Auditorium, Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Speaker: Wendy Hildenbrand, Ph.D., MPH, OTR/L, FAOTA. Program Director and Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy, University of St.Mary and Former President of AOTA

Diplomas: Diplomas will be sent to students at their “Diploma (DP) Address” on file with their school’s student service portal. Need to verify your diploma details? Get more information here.

School Contact: 
Benjamin Koch
[email protected]

Programs in Physical Therapy

Date: Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Alumni Auditorium, Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Diplomas: Diplomas will be sent to students at their “Diploma (DP) Address” on file with their school’s student service portal. Need to verify your diploma details? Get more information here.

School Contact: 
Jean Fitzpatrick Timmerberg
[email protected]
(212) 305-2814