Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) awarded Cornell University medical degrees to 50 new doctors—the largest graduating cohort to date—at the institution’s annual graduation ceremony on May 9.
The Class of 2024 comprises 26 women and 24 men, hailing from 13 different countries, including 18 Qatari nationals. WCM-Q has now produced nearly 600 medical doctors, serving patients and pursuing research in leading health care institutions worldwide, since the college’s inaugural graduation ceremony in 2008.
Dr. Javaid Sheikh, dean of WCM-Q, congratulated the new doctors and advised them to seek support from the ‘WCM-Q family’ as they embark on their new careers.
“Class of 2024, I want to leave you with a reminder that while you are now moving on to pastures new, you will remain a member of the WCM-Q family for good,” he said. “Keep in touch, share your challenges and struggles, for in this family you will find you can give and receive humor, strength and support that will nourish your lives and careers in many ways, and which will help you all to be the best physicians you can be.”
Dr. Sheikh also gave thanks to Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chairperson of Qatar Foundation, and Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, vice chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, along with the leadership of Qatar, for providing essential support and guidance.
The ceremony saw the newly qualified physicians presented with their degrees before an audience of family, friends, WCM-Q faculty and faculty visiting from Weill Cornell Medicine in New York.
“Seeing this class of exceptional students taking the Hippocratic Oath and becoming fully qualified physicians is a truly special moment, said Dr. Thurayya Arayssi, vice dean for academic and curricular affairs at WCM-Q. “They have shown huge resilience, great intellectual curiosity, and a steadfast commitment to learning the art and science of medicine to earn the right to be here today. We are immensely proud of them and wish them the very greatest success in all their future endeavors.”
Dr. Robert A. Harrington, the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine, was in attendance to confer medical degrees upon the graduates. “I am delighted to be here in Qatar to celebrate the Class of 2024 receiving their medical degrees and beginning their professional journey as physicians,” he said.
“Their success in this endeavor mirrors that of this remarkable, groundbreaking institution, which for more than 20 years has been a pioneer of medical education, research and patient care in the Middle East. I am very gratified to have received such a warm welcome here, and to have the opportunity to offer my warmest congratulations to the Class of 2024 in person,” he added.
The new doctors will soon begin the next stage of their careers as they take up residency positions at health care institutions in Qatar and the U.S., including Hamad Medical Corporation, Sidra Medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, Yale New Haven Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, Case Western University Hospital, Virginia Commonwealth University Health and University of Michigan Hospital.
Maryam Ali Al-Quradaghi, who gave the English graduate address, recognized those that made this day possible. “I am here today, not by mere coincidence, but by the efforts of a country that has given and continues to give, and by the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Moza to bring world-class education to the Gulf region,” she said. “Her vision was brought to light through the dedicated efforts of countless individuals, including our mentors, faculty, and staff in Qatar and New York and the physicians at Hamad Medical Corporation and Sidra Medicine.”
“Thanks to the efforts and support of our faculty and parents, we have to say as we stand before you, we are ready today to serve in the health care sector of this generous homeland, which is waiting for us today to return the favor, said Mai Nasser Al Subaie, who delivered the Arabic graduate address. “We extend our congratulations to our beloved homeland on our graduation today as doctors. We proudly say that we are the fruits of your giving in this new phase of development, growth and harmony.”
Alumnus keynote speaker Dr. Jehan Al-Rayahi, a member of WCM-Q’s first graduating class in 2008 and now a pediatric neuroradiologist at Sidra Medicine, spoke of the joy and responsibility of providing life-changing and life-saving care.
“Medicine is not just a job—it’s a calling,” she said. “Each day, we hold the lives and well-being of others in our hands, and that’s something we must never take lightly. Embrace it with compassion and never forget that with this great privilege comes great responsibility. Congratulations doctors. Go forth and make us proud.”
View full Qatar Commencement photo gallery here.