Home / National Academy of Medicine President to speak at medical student diploma ceremony
Dr. Victor J. Dzau, MD, is President of the National Academy of Medicine; and Chancellor Emeritus and James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Medicine at Duke University.
Tulane University School of Medicine is proud to announce Dr. Victor J. Dzau, MD, as this year’s speaker for the Class of 2023 medical student diploma ceremony. Dr. Dzau is President of the National Academy of Medicine; and Chancellor Emeritus and James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Medicine at Duke University. Dzau will address the nearly 190 Tulane students earning their medical degrees Saturday, May 20.
Dr. Dzau has a long and distinguished career in cardiology research and patient care, where his work laid the foundation for the development of ACE inhibitors to treat hypertension and heart failure. He pioneered gene therapy for vascular disease and was the first to introduce DNA decoy molecules in humans in vivo.
Dr. Dzau has also been a leader in health policy. Under his tenure, the National Academy of Medicine has advanced efforts to improve health equity, address racism, and educate the public about climate change and health. Dr. Dzau is also researching and working to address the crucial issue of clinician burnout.
“It is an honor to have Dr. Dzau speak to our graduating medical students,” said L. Lee Hamm, MD, Senior Vice President and Dean of Tulane University School of Medicine. “Our students are about to begin their medical careers, and we know they’re ready to make great changes in the world. Dr. Dzau has been working to improve medicine for decades, and his insight and advice will help inspire our students to do the same.”
The Tulane University School of Medicine Diploma Ceremony will be held Saturday, May 20, 2023, in the La Nouvelle Orleans Ballroom, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Doors open at 1:00 pm, and the ceremony begins at 2:00 pm. The event will be live streamed here.