“I’ve walked through classrooms in institutions where I was the only one who looked like me. I’ve felt unseen, felt unheard and have had to find my voice in spaces that weren’t built with my story, experiences or world view in mind. For people like me, success often means proving ourselves twice – the reality of having to prove myself both academically and that I even belonged at all. Underrepresentation is not just about numbers. It’s about not shrinking yourself to fit into places that demand you leave parts of yourself at the door. But I’ve also learned what happens when we surround ourselves by those who remind us of our worth. When family and community stand in the gaps teaching us to be proud of who we are and where we come from. Teaching us not to internalize the lie of inferiority and showing up with love, with lessons, with truth.” – Rajean Willis, PhD, Valedictorian (Friday ceremony) (fb)

"When I began this work, I wasn’t seeking awards or titles—I was focused on the gaps. Gaps in care. Gaps in access. Gaps in dignity. In this field, we are not only treating some of the most challenging cancers affecting women—we are also confronting the broader systems that shape a woman’s experience with illness: from the barriers that delay diagnosis, to the stigma that silences symptoms, to the inequities in treatment across race, income, and geography. Being a gynecologic oncologist means walking alongside women during some of the most vulnerable and profound moments of their lives. We provide complex surgical care and chemotherapy—for diseases that are not only physically daunting but emotionally and socially challenging as well. I have the privilege of bearing witness to strength, determination, generosity, and grace in the face of unimaginable hardship. These women—our patients—inspire me daily. They leave me no choice but to demand better. Better access to care. Better technology, better therapies and surgical tools. A better healthcare system that meets their unique needs. The resilience they show in the face of cancer deserves nothing less than our very best in return." — Dr. Stephanie A. Scott, MD, FRCSC, MSc (MHPE), DHumL, Honorary Degree Recipient (Friday morning ceremony) (fb)