St. George’s University marked a significant milestone in its relationship with Botswana with a special Commencement Ceremony, giving SGU School of Medicine graduates the opportunity to celebrate their achievements in their home country alongside family, friends, fellow alumni, and members of Botswana’s healthcare community.
View Botswana Commencement Ceremony Facebook album
Held June 27 in Gaborone as part of SGU’s 50th anniversary celebrations, the ceremony recognized 26 physicians from Botswana, including members of the Class of 2026 and graduates from previous classes. It also celebrated SGU’s longstanding relationship with Botswana, spanning over three decades and encompassing more than 130 Botswana citizens who have graduated from the University.
For SGU president and dean of the School of Medicine Dr. Marios Loukas, the chance to celebrate SGU graduates in their home country made the occasion especially meaningful.
“It’s a great honor, a privilege to stand before you here today, not in New York, but here in Botswana, on African soil,” Dr. Loukas told the graduates. “You chose to come home, and that’s very important.”
Celebrating a global SGU community
SGU provost Dr. Mark Clunes welcomed graduates, families, government officials, healthcare leaders, alumni, and other guests, reflecting on the University’s international mission and its 33-year relationship with Botswana.
“Being here in Botswana, I see reflected the truly international spirit of our institution,” Dr. Clunes said. “As part of our 50th anniversary celebration, it’s an honor to gather here in this remarkable country with this distinguished local community, united by connections that transcend cultures, countries, and continents.”
He reminded graduates that their journeys were shaped not only by their own determination, but also by the families, mentors, sponsors, and communities who supported them.
“Each of those journeys has been unique, with its own share of struggles and sacrifices, moments of doubt and also moments of triumph,” Dr. Clunes said. “As we celebrate your success, we recognize that you’ve reached this goal together.”
Today, SGU’s global School of Medicine alumni community numbers more than 25,000 physicians, with graduates practicing and serving communities around the world.
From SGU student to national healthcare leader
The keynote address was delivered by Botswana’s minister of health, Honorable Dr. Stephen Modise, an SGU School of Medicine Class of 2011 graduate.
For Dr. Modise, returning to SGU as Botswana’s minister of health made the occasion deeply personal. He reflected on his journey from Botswana to Grenada and the sacrifices that accompanied his pursuit of a career in medicine.
“Long before public office and leadership responsibilities, I was simply a student pursuing a dream of entering the medical and health profession,” Dr. Modise said. “Like many Botswana students studying abroad, I left home carrying not only my own ambitions, but also the encouragement, hopes, and sacrifices of family, mentors, and my community.”
More than a decade after his own graduation, Dr. Modise now leads Botswana’s health ministry and has seen firsthand the contributions of SGU-trained physicians throughout the country.
“As the minister of health, I’ve had the opportunity to interact and work with graduates from SGU all across the layers of healthcare,” he said. “I’m very proud to say this in front of you, Dr. Marios Loukas, that St. George’s University graduates are a stellar example.”
He encouraged the graduates to view healthcare challenges as opportunities to innovate and collaborate, while keeping compassion at the center of their practice.
“Challenges must excite us,” Dr. Modise said. “They must get us excited about coming up with new ideas and new innovations.”
He also offered a simple reminder for the physicians beginning the next chapter of their careers: “Always remember to serve your patients with care and a smile. Serve them with compassion.”
Honoring an SGU alumna
The ceremony also recognized the contributions of Dr. Orapeleng Phuswane-Katse, an SGU School of Medicine alumna and prominent public health leader in Botswana. Dr. Phuswane-Katse received the SGU Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of her contributions to public health, healthcare leadership, and community empowerment.
Over the course of her career, Dr. Phuswane-Katse has served in Botswana’s Ministry of Health, including as head of preventive services, where she led national efforts in disease prevention, health promotion, and emergency preparedness. She is also the founder of Bespoke Wellness Consultancy, focused on advancing access to affordable, patient-centered healthcare services in Botswana.
Her connection to SGU’s commencement tradition in Botswana runs deep. She served as class speaker at the University’s first Botswana commencement in 2012 and emceed the 2016 ceremony before returning more than a decade later to be recognized for her contributions to the country’s healthcare community.
Introducing the award, Dr. Loukas described Dr. Phuswane-Katse as “a distinguished public health physician, health leader, and entrepreneur whose career has been dedicated to improving health outcomes and strengthening health care systems in Botswana.”
Dr. Phuswane-Katse was also the first medical doctor from Botswana selected for the Mandela Washington Fellowship and continues to be recognized for her contributions to public health leadership and community empowerment.
Bringing world-class training home
For Botswana, the decision of physicians to return home carries significance beyond the individual graduate. During his remarks, Dr. Loukas highlighted the importance of building healthcare capacity within communities and addressing the loss of trained professionals through international migration.
“You did not have to choose between world-class training and your home. You got both,” he said. “That model, bringing accredited medical education closer to students who need it in the countries that they need it the most, is one of the most powerful tools we have against the brain drain.”
Dr. Loukas also encouraged the graduates to embrace the rapid changes transforming medicine while preserving the human connection at its heart.
While AI will increasingly become part of clinical practice, Dr. Loukas emphasized that technology cannot replace the uniquely human role of the physician.
“AI cannot hold a patient’s hand. AI cannot look a terrified mother in the eye and say, ‘I’m here with you.’ AI cannot sit with grief. AI cannot translate fear into trust,” he said. “And this is you. That has always been you. You are irreplaceable.”
A lasting SGU-Botswana connection
The Gaborone ceremony continued a tradition that began more than a decade ago, celebrating the accomplishments of Botswana’s SGU graduates while strengthening the connection between the University and the country it has served for more than 30 years.
For graduates, the opportunity to walk across the stage at home made the occasion particularly memorable.
“As a special highlight of our 50th anniversary, we wanted to bring the stage to you,” Dr. Clunes said. “Today is a symbolic milestone as you get the chance to walk the stage in your home country and celebrate your success in the presence of your family and friends.”
The ceremony also reflected the culture and spirit of Botswana, with the Mafitlhakgosi Traditional Dance Group performing traditional music and dance for guests.
As SGU celebrates 50 years of educating physicians and other healthcare professionals, the return to Botswana offered an opportunity to honor both the University’s history and the graduates who continue to extend its impact around the world.
“To the graduates and young people here tonight, I encourage you to continue pursuing excellence, discipline, integrity, and service,” said Dr. Modise. “Botswana’s future will always depend on the commitment and potential of her people.”
Dr. Loukas offered the graduates a final message of pride and purpose.
“You’re now physicians, not almost, but you are now, and you did it,” he said. “This world needs you. Botswana needs you. It needs you yesterday. Congratulations.”
