Excitement, anticipation, a few tears of joy were all part of the experience at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute today as the medical students of the Class of 2027 celebrated their first official day of class.

Edwing Daniel, PhD, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine assistant dean of admissions.

The admissions team, led by Edwing Daniel, PhD, sorted through more than 5,500 applicants to select 182 of the best and brightest candidates representing a wide variety of backgrounds including (unique prior careers).  This cohort of students represents another academically strong class and the most diverse yet, with a record 23% from those groups traditionally underrepresented in medicine (URM).  The life experiences and previous careers of the class are equally diverse with students who were NCAA athletes, weightlifters, gardeners, and musicians.

Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.

Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine, gave a presentation on the book The Obstacle is the Way, which provides a framework for turning obstacles into opportunities.  He said whether in medical school or as a practicing physician, obstacles will be a mainstay in health care.  Knowing how to navigate those obstacles will be the difference between success and failure in medical school, and positive patient outcomes as a physician.

“Life is tough. Medical school is really hard. There are a lot of obstacles ahead of you.  You’re going to embrace them.  When you do, you’re going to be incredibly successful,” said Dr. Lockwood to his newest medical students.  “You’re entering, truly, one of the most noble of professions.  We have a joyous job. But it’s also one of the hardest jobs you can imagine.”

The new medical students will receive their first white coat during the Class of 2027 White Coat Ceremony Aug. 31.

Class Profile:

182 Students: 126 Core, 56 SELECT

Median GPA: 3.92

Median MCAT: 518

52% Male, 48% Female

23% Under-represented in medicine

Residency: 47% Florida, 53% Out of State

More Images:

Story by Freddie Coleman.  Photos by Freddie Coleman and Ryan Rossy.

The Class of 2026 looks on as Edwing Daniel, PhD, MCOM dean of admissions, gives his presentation about who makes up the class.

Excitement and anticipation filled the atmosphere at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute today as the medical students of the Class of 2026 celebrated their first official day of class.

The admission team, led by Edwing Daniel, PhD, sorted through more than 5,600 applicants to select the best and brightest candidates that come from a wide variety of backgrounds including an Olympic fencer, an Indian folk dancer, and a few NCAA athletes from five Division 1 sports.

In his address to the class, Charles Lockwood, MD, MHCM, dean of MCOM and USF Health senior vice president, told the students how much the school has grown since he joined eight years ago.  The number of research grants has nearly tripled, clinical revenue has nearly doubled, performance on the USMLE Step 1 and 2 exams are well above the national average, and USF Health has strengthened its relationship Tampa General Hospital, its primary teaching hospital.   Dr. Lockwood also reiterated to the group the resources available to them as they navigate the next four years transforming from student to doctor.

Charles Lockwood, MD, MHCM, MCOM dean and USF Health senior vice president addressing the medical students of the Class of 2026.

“You have joined us at a momentous time in our history, a period when our medical school is making great advances in all three of our core missions of education, research, and patient care,” Dr. Lockwood said.  “But you are also joining us during a transformative moment for the field of medicine, coming off of a major public health crisis of the past century with long-lasting implications for the practice of medicine across the globe.”

Class of 2026 profile:

177 students – 121 Core, 56 SELECT

54% Female, 46% Male

18% Under-represented minorities

Undergraduate Education:  58% Out of State, 42% In State

3.91 average GPA*

More images from the first day of class:

*This story was updated with more current info that includes GPAs.