Dr. Fauci To Deliver Keynote Address At UMB Graduation Thursday

BALTIMORE, MD — White House chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci will deliver the keynote address to 2022 University of Maryland graduates in Baltimore on Thursday morning.

According to the university, the graduating class of students includes future nurses, doctors, and pharmacists who played a critical role in patient care and vaccine research and development during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"His keynote speech will be an excellent send off to congratulate and inspire these graduates as they enter the professional fields of medicine, health care and research," the university said.

Over the last few years, Fauci has become a familiar figure and voice to many Americans as the country continues to navigate its way through the coronavirus.

His experience, however, in the medical field goes back decades. He's been the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984. Since that time, he has advised seven presidents on HIV/AIDS and many other domestic and global health issues.

On Monday, Fauci made headlines Sunday after telling CNN's Jim Acosta that he would not continue to serve in his role if Donald Trump was elected to a second term as president. The 45th president of the United States has teased that he may run again for commander-in-chief.

"If you look at the history of what the response was during the administration, I think, you know, at best you could say it wasn't optimal," Fauci told the cable network host.

The commencement ceremony is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Thursday at the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena, which is at 1000 Hilltop Circle in Baltimore.

The following schools will have graduates at the commencement ceremony: University of Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Nursing, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, University of Maryland School of Social Work, University of Maryland School of Law and University of Maryland Graduate School.