In Commencement address, MD graduate will offer pandemic-informed perspective of the study and practice of medicine.
It all makes sense in hindsight, says Sudheesha Perera ’17 MD’24, MPH, of the unique educational path that led him to where he is today—about to graduate from The Warren Alpert Medical School with the MD Class of 2024.
While Perera, the son of Sri Lankan immigrants, always wanted to study medicine, he discovered along the way that he also wanted to learn, try, and do many other things, including a full-time job in the financial sector, data science work in Thailand, and a Master of Public Health degree. Fortunately, he says, being a student at Brown meant that he was able to engage with his wide-ranging interests and gain invaluable experience.
“Brown provided an absolutely incredible opportunity to explore both within and outside of medicine,” Perera says. “I knew that there was this amazing community and institution at my back every step of the way.”
Perera’s 131 fellow graduates selected him to deliver remarks at the Medical School ceremony on Sunday, May 26, during Brown’s Commencement and Reunion Weekend. His address is titled “When Do We Become Doctors?”, which is fitting for a graduating medical student whose education timeline has been impacted not only by personal decisions, but also by world events.
