Sometimes there’s just too much good stuff to fit into one graduation story. Below are anecdotes from two days of joy, pride and unseasonably warm weather.
Natalia Correa, M.D. 2023
Dr. Natalia Correa’s parents were born in Colombia and came to the U.S. about 30 years ago, but she is Miami born and bred. She had a large contingent supporting her both at Friday’s Awards Ceremonies & Reception and Saturday’s graduation, including her grandmother and her godparents, who had flown from Bogota to be here.
“On my mom’s side of the family, I’m the only girl and the only doctor,” said Correa, who is headed to the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale for residency in general surgery.
Her family created a giant congratulatory banner to mark the occasion.
Alma Littles, Interim Dean
This year’s graduation marked two significant changes in Dr. Alma Littles’ role.
At every one of the College of Medicine’s 18 previous commencement ceremonies, she led the faculty processional and recessional carrying the mace, an ornamental staff that symbolizes the authority of the university president, dean and faculty to confer degrees upon worthy candidates.
This year, that honor fell to Paul McLeod, M.D., senior associate dean of regional campuses and dean of the Pensacola Regional Campus. Littles had a bigger role to play, that of the dean overseeing the ceremony.
Dr. Tim Gemesi, M.D. 2023
Dr. Tim Gemesi begins his residency in obstetrics and gynecology soon at Stanford Health Care in Stanford, California. At Friday’s Class of 2023 Presentation of Awards ceremony, he was named recipient of the J. Ocie Harris Outstanding Student Award which recognizes the student who has shown the best all-around promise of becoming a physician of the highest caliber. He also was co-recipient, along with Katherine Oliver, of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology’s outstanding medical student in OB/GYN in this year’s FSU class. Gemesi was also recognized as the Sarasota Regional Campus Dean’s Award winner, in addition to his membership in both medical honor societies, Delta Chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha and the FSU Chapman Chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society.
Initially, this first generation Hungarian-American seemed destined for a very different career. Gemesi spent much of his childhood playing piano and training as a classical singer. He graduated in 2016 from Oberlin College’s rigorous dual-degree program with a bachelor of arts in anthropology and a bachelor of music in vocal performance.
After completing his premedical classes at the University of South Florida’s Sarasota-Manatee campus, the Sarasota native began medical school at FSU in 2019.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to study medicine here,” Gemesi said. “I hope to represent the Florida State University College of Medicine well as I build on that foundation at Stanford.”
Dr. Amber Hannah and Dr. Shellon Baugh, M.D. 2023
A couple of proud Mamas bragged about their daughters at Friday’s Awards Ceremony & Reception.
“I am so very proud of my daughter. I am exhilarated!” said Deborah Hannah, mother of graduate Dr. Amber Hannah, a Quincy native who is headed to a residency in general surgery at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. “She is very determined to do her best always, and she’s always loved learning. The first day I dropped her off at pre-K, I was waiting for the tears. She just waved her little hand and said ‘Bye, Mama. See you later.’ “
Sharon Baugh similarly praised her daughter, Dr. Shellon Baugh, who is soon starting a residency in family medicine at AdventHealth in Orlando. The family moved to Florida in 2006 from Jamaica.
“She is determined. She is humble. She is elegant, trustworthy, a hard worker,” Sharon Baugh said. “I am over the moon. It’s a dream come true.”
Dr. Lauren Smiarowski and Dr. Barrie Bedasee, M.D. 2023
Mary Ann Hall, whose niece Lauren Smiarowski graduated Saturday and begins her residency in pediatrics at Orlando Health, was grateful to see the military promotion ceremony incorporated into Commencement Exercises.
“I was very glad to see the military represented,” said the former U.S. Army nurse who lives in Gainesville. “I have never seen that done before and I really appreciate it.”
She was happy to see Dr. Jordin Giles Zuelke among the three officers promoted to captain – with Dr. Brian Nykanen and Zuelke in the Army and Dr. Eric Minnix in the Air Force.
“It meant a lot to me, especially since there weren’t a lot of women in the military when I was in it.”
She was also pleased a woman was among the four U.S. Navy veterans standing on stage for the playing of “Anchors Aweigh” during the Armed Forces Medley.
Dr. Barrie Bedasee was touched to learn that her Navy service meant something to Hall. “Thanks for telling me.”
Bedasee was in the Navy from 2015 to 2018, stationed at Camp Pendleton, California. She starts her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at University of Miami/Jackson Health System.
Armed Forces Day falls on the third Saturday in May, just as the FSU College of Medicine graduation does. Dean-emeritus John P. Fogarty, a physician and retired U.S. Army colonel, established the promotion ceremony as part of the graduation program early in his tenure as dean. Earlier that morning, Fogarty led a pinning ceremony held for the military graduates.