The Cooper Medical School of Rowan University hosted the inaugural commencement ceremony sending 43 students into the next steps of their careers.
CAMDEN - Four years ago, the charter class of Cooper Medical School of Rowan University started their journey at their white coat ceremony
Less than two months ago, they received their placements for residency on "match day."
Today, they make history as the first class of the med school (CMSRU) to graduate.
"It's surreal, I can't believe it's here already," said Jennifer Bleznak, member of the graduating class. "It hasn't quite hit me yet."
Bleznak and her 42 classmates make up the first class to go through Cooper Medical School. The class, largely comprised of tri-state area residents, walked at their commencement ceremony on Monday.
Speakers at the ceremony included Dean Paul Katz, Rowan University President Ali Houshmand, and Governor Chris Christie. Congressman Donald Norcross was slotted to speak at the ceremony as well, but was unable to attend due to the death of his mother on Saturday.
In his remarks, Christie gave students praise for what they've done for Camden and the state of New Jersey as a whole.
"CMSRU put together a world class faculty, attracted top notch students, trained and educate them in city of Camden, and have them go forth as ambassadors for the school, community, and ambassadors of the quality of education here," said Christie. "It's probably hard for you all to grasp how important that is... But you 43 students are the first tangible evidence of Camden's future."
"This is a big deal for us," said Katz. "We shaped these students but they also shaped us."
Through a mutual dedication to learning and service, the members of the charter class and CMSRU worked together to help turn the school what it is today.
"We had a vision for this class before we even had them enrolled, but these students took that vision and reshaped it into something better," said Katz. "
"A lot of people asked us during our interviews for residencies, why would you pick the first year school," said Bleznak. "If you had other choices would you have picked it?"
"I feel I matched the mission of the school and the school matched my mission, so, yes, I would have," she added.
"It was worth taking a chance on being the first class," said Martin Weaver. "They listened to us when we had feedback, they worked with us and let us work with them to make this program work."
For the past four years, the students learned the general knowledge they needed to continue on into fields of their choice. Their educators went above and beyond to make sure their educations were well rounded, emphasizing service and community into their regular lessons.
"When the dream of starting the medical school here came to light many years ago, a big part of it was giving back to the city of Camden and helping the city to grow and develop," said Katz. "In order to do that we had our students work with Camden residents in their clinic program."
"Working with the community was everything," said Gabriela Chaviano. "We got to see the community and understand them. You learn why they are the way they are and see how much of an impact the community has on the individuals."
"When I first got into the student clinic, I couldn't even take a blood pressure," said Bleznak. "But these people weren't sure how to let themselves be cared for. It was a symbiotic relationship."
All 43 students were matched to residencies. Of them, 11 will remain in New Jersey, and 24 will be in New York City, Philadelphia, and Wilmington. The remainder of the students will be as far as Miami.
"When we selected the first 43 students, we looked for more than just the smarts," said Kantz. "We looked for more than activities, more than just grades, more than just kids that could learn. We looked for 43 students who could give back, who could be a part of our mission and take that mission with them from here on out, no matter how far they go to continue their educations and careers. This is bigger than 43 students," he added. "This is 43 students, plus every patient they'll touch, plus the friends and families of those patients."
"We're so proud of what we've built here," Katz added. "I look forward to the future of CMSRU and the futures of these students."