#  Commencement 

 



#  Honoring HSDM's Class of 2026 

 COMMENCEMENT RECAP 

The Harvard School of Dental Medicine Class of 2026 celebrated the culmination of years of study, research, patient care, and service during Harvard University's 375th Commencement. From memorable remarks by Commencement speaker Conan O'Brien to longstanding Class Day traditions and student recognition events, graduates were honored as they prepared for the next chapter of their professional journeys.



 

 [ Read more arrow\_forward ](/news/2026/05/celebrating-milestone-moment-hsdms-graduates) 

 

      ![graduates throw caps in the air ](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_4_3__1540x1160/public/2026-05/IMG_02741.jpg?itok=JjOOa9uy) 

 

 



 

 



##  Class of 2026 by the numbers 

 



35

DMD graduates

 



32

AGE graduates

 



52

degrees awarded

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

##  Conan's HSDM moment 

Commencement speaker, Conan O'Brien, brought laughs to Tercentenary Theatre, including an unexpected shout-out to the Harvard School of Dental Medicine that quickly became one of the day's most memorable moments.

 

 



  

 



 

 

 

 

##  2026 Awards & Honors 

Recognizing outstanding achievement, service, scholarship, leadership, and clinical excellence among the graduating Class of 2026.



 

 



 [ Read more arrow\_forward ](/2026-commencement-awards-and-honors) 

 

 

 

 

 

##  Celebrating our graduates 

Get to know members of the Class of 2026 through stories and reflections that highlight their journeys, achievements, and what lies ahead.

 

 



  [### Learning from patients beyond the clinic

 ](/news/2026/05/learning-patients-beyond-clinic) May 20, 2026 

 

   ![headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/lin-banner.jpg?h=14d0a88e&itok=QcPpqjd8) 

 



 

 

   [### The power of transformative patient care

 ](/news/2026/05/power-transformative-patient-care) May 18, 2026 

 

   ![headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/IMG_01742%20%281%29.jpg?itok=sax4HztX) 

 



 

 

   [### Creating connection and community during dental school

 ](/news/2026/05/creating-connection-and-community-during-dental-school) May 13, 2026 

 

   ![headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/IMG_58522%20copy.jpg?h=51f4cb78&itok=kemhntTn) 

 



 

 

   [### From mentee to mentor at HSDM

 ](/news/2026/05/mentee-mentor-hsdm) May 08, 2026 

 

   ![headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/IMG_58382.jpg?itok=bbzxc6il) 

 



 

 

   [### A path to HSDM shaped by a chance encounter

 ](/news/2026/05/path-hsdm-shaped-chance-encounter) May 05, 2026 

 

   ![headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/IMG_5823%20copy.jpg?h=c57d85be&itok=BwGgMwae) 

 



 

 

   [### Bringing a team mindset to the treatment of orofacial pain

 ](/news/2026/04/bringing-team-mindset-treatment-orofacial-pain) April 22, 2026 

 

   ![headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-04/IMG_58701.jpg?h=034d157e&itok=bG55zFsL) 

 



 

 

   [### Student Research Day highlights innovation and discovery at HSDM

 ](/news/2026/04/student-research-day-highlights-innovation-and-discovery-hsdm) April 08, 2026 

 

   ![Student presenting research to another individual](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-04/IMG_6010.JPG?itok=jUkMqO5w) 

 



 

 

   [### Mapping out the next steps in their professional journey

 ](/news/2026/02/mapping-out-next-steps-their-professional-journey) February 02, 2026 

 

   ![Two people holding up match day signs](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-04/SFX01517.jpg?h=01c08cd6&itok=ZiTirBsO) 

 



 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

###  Finding fulfillment through medicine 

Get to know Harvard Medical School (HMS) graduates pursuing singular paths to advance science and improve health.



 

 



 [ Meet HMS graduates arrow\_forward ](https://hms.harvard.edu/education-admissions/graduation#profiles) 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

CEREMONY KEYNOTE SPEAKER

### Monica Bharel named Class Day speaker 

 

Physician-executive, internist, and public health innovator Monica Bharel will deliver the keynote speech at the HSDM/HMS Class Day ceremony on May 28.

She serves as clinical lead for global and public health at Google Health and as vice chair of the Harvard University Board of Overseers.



 [  arrow\_forward  Learn more about Dr. Bharel ](https://hms.harvard.edu/news/monica-bharel-named-2026-class-day-speaker) 

 



      ![headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/2026-04/Bharel_headshot_0.jpg?itok=_FVgjrlb)