Doha: Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q), a partner of Qatar Foundation, marked the graduation of its largest class since inception, the Class of 2026, which includes 52 doctors with 22 being Qatari nationals. The ceremony was attended by prominent figures such as HE Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad Al Mahmoud, HE Advisor to Prime Minister for Public Health Dr. Hanan Al Kuwari, HE Governor of the Qatar Central Bank Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed Al-Thani, and HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al Naimi.
According to Qatar News Agency, the event also saw the presence of key dignitaries such as HE Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Qatari Businessmen Association Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al-Thani, CEO of Qatar Foundation Yousif Al Naama, President of Higher Education at Qatar Foundation Dr. Francisco Marmolejo, HE Director General of Hamad Medical Corporation Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Suwaidi, and Chief Medical Officer at Sidra Medicine Prof. Ibrahim Janahi. Faculty members and families were also in attendance as graduates received US-accredited Doctor of Medicine degrees from Cornell University, increasing the total number of WCM-Q graduates since 2008 to 693.
The new graduates are set to join leading residency programs in Qatar and the United States, including Hamad Medical Corporation, Sidra Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Case Western/University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, and New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Dr. Javaid Sheikh, highlighted the graduates' accomplishments in overcoming challenges and expressed confidence in their potential as future physicians and researchers. The university's president, Dr. Michael Kotlikoff, emphasized Cornell's global unity and extended congratulations to the Class of 2026.
Vice Dean for Academic and Curriculum Affairs, Dr. Thurayya Arayssi, noted that the graduates' achievements reflect their adaptability to rapid technological advancements in the field of medicine.
During the keynote address, alumna Dr. Muneera Ali Al Muhannadi encouraged graduates to uphold human values and commit to lifelong learning. Graduate speakers Dr. Al Dana Al Khalaf and Dr. Kareem Aly delivered addresses in Arabic and English, respectively, sharing reflections on their journeys and future aspirations.