American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) celebrated nearly 400 graduates during its 2019 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 18. The event, held at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida, drew more than 2,800, attendees, including graduates, friends and family, and faculty leaders from the university’s medical sciences campus in Sint Maarten.

Elliott Chen, MD '19 graduated from AUC with not only his top choice residency placement, but also a heightened sense of empathy and an expanded worldview.

What does it mean to be named a chief resident? Your program director and peers have deemed you ready to handle additional responsibilities in postgraduate training—such as mentoring and advocating for other members of your team, doing work to support overall program objectives, and other added leadership or administrative duties.