Commencement 2026
“You are exactly what this world needs in this moment.”
— Dean David H. Perlmutter, MD
WashU Medicine Commencement ceremonies celebrate the graduating Class of 2026.
Video: Katie Gertler/WashU Medicine
WashU Medicine graduates, faculty, family and friends celebrated Commencement with recognition and hooding ceremonies May 12-15, 2026.
Scroll below for coverage of WashU Medicine Commencement ceremonies, or jump to the ceremony for graduates of:
Class Acts 2026: Ariel Hernandez-Leyva
For about an hour, Ariel Hernandez-Leyva held a scientific secret. A discovery only he had uncovered. Hernandez-Leyva, a graduating MD/PhD student at WashU Medicine, helped conduct groundbreaking research on breath and gut microbiome health. “I had this moment where I was alone in the lab and realized I was the only person with this knowledge,” he recalled. “It felt weird, exciting and a lot of fun. I knew I wanted to experience this again.” In July, he will begin a residency in pathology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.
All-University Ceremony
Friday, May 15, 2026 | 9 a.m. | Francis Olympic Field – Danforth Campus
All-University Commencement
University-wide Commencement livestream and details »
Keynote speaker: Andy Cohen, a St. Louis native, Emmy Award-winning host, producer and author; Cohen received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts during the ceremony
Read the full story: Cohen urges graduates to rethink their definition of success
Marcus E. Raichle, Sr., MD, the Alan A. and Edith L. Wolff Distinguished Professor of Medicine at WashU Medicine and winner of the Kavli Prize in Neuroscience, was one of five honorary degree recipients.
Raichle is a pioneering neuroscientist who has served on the WashU Medicine faculty for more than 50 years. His contributions to the development of now widely used technologies to image the brain, namely, positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), have helped transform the study of human brain function and the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases.
MD Ceremony
Thursday, May 14, 2026 | 9 a.m. | The Field House — Danforth Campus
Commencement Recognition Ceremony
MD Commencement program (PDF) »
MD Ceremony recording »
Keynote speaker: Jeffrey I. Gordon, MD, director of the Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology at WashU Medicine, is credited with founding the field of gut microbiome research. His transformative studies have demonstrated that human health and disease are shaped by the communities of microbes that live in the human gut.
After the welcoming bagpipes and applause settled down, the crowd assembled at the Field House Thursday, May 14, to recognize the achievements of the Class of 2026. Just four years ago, these individuals received their white coats for the first time; today they left with hoods, signifying that they have achieved a major milestone toward a career devoted to healing others.
During his keynote speech, Jeffrey I. Gordon, MD, the Dr. Robert J. Glaser Distinguished University Professor at WashU Medicine, imparted four important points of wisdom to the graduating medical students:
“First, discover your calling.
Second, your capacity to see the world through the lenses of others will enable you to establish trusting, beneficial relationships with your patients and with your colleagues. It will enable you to help place others in environments that are most supportive of their needs and your strengths.
Third, find interdisciplinary environments where you can mix your restless curiosity with the gift of attention; where you will experience trust, kindness, generosity, a shared sense of purpose and a shared joy in pursuit of answers to complex yet inspiring questions.
And, lastly, joyfully embrace the fact that life is in so many respects unanticipated. Be open to change within and outside of yourselves, so that you can be the best agent of change that you can be.”
In closing, Gordon implored students to “use your voice, devote your energies and employ your wonderful minds to care for others in ways that allow them to flourish. In so doing, you too will flourish.”
David H. Perlmutter, MD, executive vice chancellor for medical affairs, the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Distinguished Professor and the George and Carol Bauer Dean of WashU Medicine, explained why this ceremony bore special significance.
“This is not a typical commencement for me because I’m also graduating, stepping down from my leadership role for new adventures,” Perlmutter said, referring to the conclusion of his deanship at the end of June. “And that means this day is more emotional and I’m feeling many of the same butterflies you are experiencing, as you begin to realize the transition to your future that this day embodies.”
This year, WashU Medicine students matched to 61 hospitals for residency training across 26 states and in 32 specialties. As the graduates prepare to gain further expertise in their chosen fields of medicine, Perlmutter urged them to remember what it’s like to be a patient.
“Try to hold onto that feeling,” he said. “Try to retain that understanding of what it’s like to be on the outside of medicine, even as you barrel headlong into your years of intense training.”
Veronica Jones / WashU MedicinePerlmutter also reminded them that their experiences at WashU Medicine have prepared them well for the next step. “We know you’re ready because you’ve trained at one of the best medical schools on planet Earth,” Perlmutter said, “and because you’ve worked hard, and because you are exactly what the world needs in this moment. You are exactly what the world needs in this moment. Congratulations Class of 2026!”
Photos by Matt Miller. Click to enlarge.
Audiology & Communication Sciences
Friday, May 15, 2026 | 1:30 p.m. | Eric P. Newman Education Center — Medical Campus
Commencement Recognition Ceremony
PACS livestream recording »
The Program in Audiology and Communication Sciences celebrated a new generation of clinical audiologists and teachers of the deaf at its Commencement recognition ceremony on the Medical Campus.
Amanda Ortmann, PhD, associate professor and director of audiology studies, welcomed the graduates and the friends and family who supported them along the way. Ortmann noted that the graduates came from undergraduate backgrounds as diverse as criminal justice, biology, linguistics, psychological and brain sciences, early childhood development, and speech and hearing sciences, brought together at one of the most selective and rigorous audiology and hearing science programs in the country.
“We told them that it would be tough,” Ortmann said. “And it was, but they were up to the challenge. They were and are the cream of the crop.”
Casey Reimer, PhD, assistant professor and director of deaf education studies, gave the concluding remarks and congratulated students. “Through your diligence and dedication, you have risen from the ranks of students to professional colleagues. As a faculty, we congratulate you all.”
Click photos to enlarge.
Biology & Biological Sciences
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 | 9 a.m. | Graham Chapel – Danforth Campus
DBBS Hooding & Recognition Ceremony
DBBS Commencement program »
DBBS livestream recording »
Keynote speaker: Jarret Glasscock, PhD, founder and CEO of Cofactor Genomics
“My specialty did not define my opportunities. As you venture into the world, remember that your foundational training can go anywhere.”
— Jarret Glasscock, PhD
Keynote speaker
The Roy and Diana Vagelos Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences (DBBS) recognized 97 graduates at the 2026 Hooding & Recognition Ceremony May 12. Representing the division’s largest graduating class to date, the celebration reflected not only the accomplishments of students, but the dedication and support of the faculty and staff who helped make each scholar’s academic journey meaningful and memorable.
Following the ceremony, graduates, their families and guests, faculty and staff gathered in Holmes Lounge to continue the celebration. Speakers included Steve Mennerick, PhD, associate dean of graduate education for DBBS, and Jarret Glasscock, PhD, founder and CEO of Cofactor Genomics. As an alumnus of the division, Glasscock reminded graduates of the impact they can make as they begin the next chapter of their careers, encouraging them to “continue to seek out the space where you are uniquely contributing. This is the space where your maximum value will be.”
Joint Master’s Programs
Thursday, May 14, 2026 | 4 p.m. | Eric P. Newman Education Center — Medical Campus
Commencement & Recognition Ceremony for master’s programs in Applied Health Behavior Research, Data Science and Biostatistics, Clinical Investigation, Genetic Counseling, Medical Physics, Population Health Sciences, and Predoctoral Clinical Research (TL1)
Keynote speaker: Sandro Galea, MD, DrPH, the Margaret C. Ryan Dean and the Eugene S. and Constance Kahn Distinguished Professor at the Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky School of Public Health and vice provost for interdisciplinary initiatives
Occupational Therapy
Friday, May 15, 2026 | 1:30 p.m. | Graham Chapel — Danforth Campus
Diploma Ceremony
Keynote speaker: Jill Cigliana, executive director of Memory Care Home Solutions
Physical Therapy
Friday, May 15, 2026 | 1:30 p.m. | Khorassan Ballroom, The Chase Park Plaza
Diploma Distribution & Hooding Ceremony
PT livestream recording »
Faculty speaker: Dale Thuet, DPT, assistant professor of physical therapy and of orthopedic surgery and program coordinator of orthopedic residency in physical therapy at WashU Medicine