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May 21, 2026
Mayo Clinic celebrated the graduation of 19 physicians and scientists at its Jacksonville, Florida, campus, recognizing the achievements of students from Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
The ceremony reflects the continued growth of the Florida campus and its role in preparing future leaders in medicine and science. Medical student graduates in Florida follow a distinctive training pathway, completing foundational coursework in Arizona or Minnesota before finishing their clinical education in Jacksonville.
The 19 Florida medical and graduate school graduates join 164 classmates graduating across Mayo Clinic campuses in Rochester and Arizona this spring, forming a national cohort of physicians and scientists who will advance to residencies and research roles at Mayo Clinic and institutions nationwide. Together, they will contribute to patient care, scientific discovery and the evolving needs of healthcare.
Student speakers emphasized the importance of purpose, growth and responsibility as graduates move into the next phase of their training and careers.
Graduating medical student Ryan May reflected on the shared experience of growth and the commitment ahead.
"We are each graduating as beautifully distinct works in progress, headed to further hone our craft and continue carving our respective paths," he said. "What I do hope we share is a commitment to showing up fully — for our patients, for each other and for ourselves."
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Graduating Ph.D. student Jaida Lue spoke to the personal transformation that defines scientific training.
"Your degree is as much about who you are becoming as it is about academic achievement," she said. "It forces you to decide who you are when no benchmark exists, and no one is keeping score. It asks you to set your own standard in the absence of a clear one. To believe in work that has not yet produced results. To defend ideas you built from nothing in front of people who have spent their lives in that exact space. To find motivation from within when external validation is scarce."
Abba Zubair, M.D., Ph.D., vice dean of the medical school in Florida, encouraged graduates to carry forward the Mayo Clinic mission.
"I am reminded of the profound legacy of Mayo Clinic and its unwavering dedication to excellence in patient care, research and medical education," he said. "Go forth and make a difference in the world, for you are the future of medicine."
About Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine is preparing the next generation of physician leaders through excellence in education and a deep commitment to patient-centered care. As part of the integrated Mayo Clinic enterprise, the school delivers a learner-centered curriculum grounded in strong scientific foundations, ethical practice and real-world clinical experience. Small class sizes, a 3:1 faculty-to-student ratio, and a national multi-campus model foster close mentorship with world-renowned physicians and scientists. Graduates are equipped to deliver high-value, evidence-based care while leading improvements in compassionate healthcare delivery and scientific discovery.
About Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is revolutionizing healthcare by catalyzing multidisciplinary science and preparing the next generation of leaders in biomedical research. Embedded within Mayo Clinic’s integrated model of research and patient care, the school delivers innovative, individualized, and technologically advanced training that advances discovery and improves lives worldwide. Across its campuses in Minnesota, Florida, and Arizona, students work alongside internationally recognized mentors to translate scientific breakthroughs into meaningful impact.
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