Victor M. Montori, M.D., M.Sc., Robert H. and Susan M. Rewoldt Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic and consultant in the Division of Endocrinology, will deliver the keynote address at the 2026 UAB Heersink School of Medicine commencement ceremony.
Commencement details
The 2026 Heersink School of Medicine commencement ceremony will be held Saturday, May 16, at Bartow Arena, 617 13th St. South. Doors will open at noon, with the ceremony beginning at 1 p.m. Family, friends, faculty, and staff will come together to celebrate the accomplishments of this year’s graduating class.
Introduction of keynote speaker
Montori is an endocrinologist, researcher, author, and advocate for patient-centered care. Throughout his career, he has advanced the practice of medicine through research focused on chronic disease management and how care is delivered to patients. Montori brings a deep well of insight and experience to this year’s ceremony as Heersink graduates prepare to enter the next stage of their careers in medicine.
About the commencement speaker
Victor M. Montori, M.D., M.Sc., is the Robert H. and Susan M. Rewoldt Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic and a consultant in the Division of Endocrinology. He is also an investigator in the Knowledge and Evaluation Research Unit, where his work focuses on improving care for patients with diabetes and other chronic conditions.
Montori has authored more than 850 peer-reviewed publications and is among the most cited researchers in clinical medicine and social science. His work has helped shape modern approaches to evidence-based medicine, shared decision-making, and care that better fits within each patient’s daily life.
His academic training reflects a strong foundation in medicine and research. Montori earned his medical degree from Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia and completed his internal medicine residency and chief residency at Mayo Clinic. He went on to complete fellowship training in endocrinology, along with a research fellowship in clinical epidemiology and biostatistics at McMaster University. Montori also earned a master of science in biomedical research from the Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. He was a 2024-2025 Human Rights and Technology Fellow at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
In addition to his clinical and academic work, Montori is the author of Why We Revolt: A Patient Revolution for Careful and Kind Care, which reflects his commitment to care in healthcare, based on competence, compassion, and meaningful partnership between patients and clinicians.
A message to the graduates
Montori is honored by the opportunity to address the 2026 UAB Heersink School of Medicine graduating class. “It is a day of pride in the accomplishment of the students for themselves, their families, friends, and their teachers. To play a small part in that day is an enormous honor for me, and I hope to make a small contribution to the significance of the event for all of them.”
He also reflected on the responsibility this class will carry into the future of medicine. “The choices this generation of physicians will make will shape the nature of medicine for most of the rest of this century and beyond. Before them lie awesome choices. My hope is for them to become artisans of care and to shape a future of careful and kind care for all.”
Montori also shared his excitement for the opportunity. “This is the first time I have been honored with an invitation to give a commencement address, so, just as for these students, this will be a new experience for me. I am incredibly excited about what lies ahead for them and the meaningful careers they are beginning in service to others.”
More information about the 2026 commencement ceremony, including location and parking details, is available on the UAB Heersink School of Medicine Commencement webpage.