Rear Admiral Steven K. Galson, MD, MPH, the acting United States Surgeon General, urged the Drexel University School of Public Health’s graduating class of 2008 to make the world a different and better place by helping others learn how to help themselves and improve their years and quality of life.
“You will leave here today with the skills, the energy, the credentials and the wherewithal to shape the future of thousands of people whose names you may never know. You have the chance to make a real difference in the lives of your neighbors, your community, our nation and the entire world,” said RADM Galson, who gave the Commencement Address to graduates from the School of Public Health, as well as Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions and Goodwin College of Professional Studies.
“As a citizen activist of any stripe or as a public health practitioner or nursing professional you can help me as the Surgeon General and you can improve the quality of life around the world. I can’t tell you exactly what your role will be, but I can tell you to seize this moment,” continued RADM Galson.
The Commencement ceremony was held on Saturday, June 14, 2008 at Drexel University’s Daskalakis Athletic Center. RADM Galson also encouraged the graduates to continue learning and embrace innovation.
“You will be receiving your degree today, but your lifetime of learning is just beginning. The degree of technological change and innovation you will see during your lifetimes is likely to make the changes of the past 20 years seem minor by comparison. Remember that people in need, from Allentown to Cape Town, can always use what you have,” said Galson.
As the Acting Surgeon General, RADM Galson serves as the nation’s chief “health educator” and oversees the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, which is a uniformed force of 6,000 officers working to promote, protect and advance the health and safety of people in the United States and across the globe.
Congratulations to all of this year’s graduates.