Exams, elegance and emotions
At the MHH Alumni e.V. graduation ceremony on January 14, 2023, more than 110 graduates of Human medicine celebrated their farewell to the MHH together with friends and family.
Sequined dresses and stilettos, smart suits, ties and the odd bow tie - the newly qualified physicians' joy at passing their exams could be seen in their shining eyes and elegant outfits. This Saturday afternoon in the MHH Canteen was all about celebrating and letting yourself be celebrated. In keeping with this, MHH student and musical singer Nina Nienhaus and pianist Jonathan Reitze set a highly emotional tone right at the beginning with two ballads.
Alumni Chairman Professor Siegfried Piepenbrock began by welcoming the guests and offering his congratulations. Dean of Studies Professor Ingo Just then congratulated the new colleagues, but also emphasized that the healthcare system has changed dramatically due to the strong focus on economic efficiency and that physicians are now exposed to completely different pressures. It is therefore important to acquire and maintain a special resilience. "And if frustration gets the better of you, think back to why you were originally enthusiastic about this profession. That sometimes helps in such moments." Dr. Marion Renneberg, Vice President of the Lower Saxony Medical Association, made a similar recommendation, explaining that despite all the adversity, she still feels like she is living her dream job.
Graduate Lennart Simon looked back eloquently and not without comedic talent on his turbulent time as a student, but also struck a serious note with regard to the current state of the healthcare system and concluded by thanking the university, Presidium and Dean of Studies for the good cooperation he had experienced as a member of the AStA board, especially during the pandemic. He inspired everyone present so much with his speech that the applause was almost endless.
MHH President Professor Michael Manns was not stingy with anecdotes either: "The program now says: 'The President hands over the certificates. That must be me then." He cheerfully called the graduates up to the stage one by one and presented them with their certificates, while Professor Piepenbrock presented them with the obligatory farewell rose from the alumni association.
Between the speeches, a clarinet trio led by Lutz Hesse provided the musical backdrop. Hesse was also on stage as the father of a graduate and MHH alumnus and performed classical music and jazz together with two students from the University of Music, Katharina Muhr and Carlo Righetti. Graduates, family and friends ended the afternoon with champagne and canapés.
It was great!
The exam ceremony in pictures
