WHAT: University of Utah School of Medicine Commencement Ceremony

WHEN: Saturday, May 23, at 10 a.m. Graduates will line up for procession at 9 a.m.

WHERE: Kingsbury Hall, 1395 E. President’s Circle, U of U Campus

WHO: 2009 U of U School of Medicine Graduates, Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) President Darrell G. Kirch, M.D., Friends, Family, Faculty and Administration.

When Debra Regier, Ph.D., first came to the University of Utah, fresh out of graduate school at Wake Forest University in North Carolina, she never thought she’d be a student again. But, as the mysteries of life unfolded, she realized her anticipated path was going to take a sharp turn.

Debra was recruited to the U of U originally to be part of a genetic research team for the Huntsman Cancer Institute. A California native, she figured she’d be in Utah for a while, but eventually move on. Soon though, long hours in the lab lead her to begin questioning whether she really wanted to be a full-time researcher. She found answers by going back to school for her M.D. and specializing in pediatric genetics.

On Saturday, Debra, one of only a few Ph.D. holders in her class of new medical doctors, will reach another milestone in her education by graduating from the U of U School of Medicine and adding a few more impressive letters next to her name. She will join 286 additional graduates, all earning Bachelors, Masters, M.D.’s, or Ph.D.’s.

Also during the ceremony, AAMC President Darrell G. Kirch, M.D., will present the commencement address entitled “The White Coat Becomes Real”. His remarks will challenge new physicians to ask and answer tough questions about our heath care system. Dr. Kirch has agreed to do phone interviews prior to the commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 20, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Debra Regier has also agreed to talk to media prior to commencement. Contact the Office of Public Affairs to schedule time.