Former medical staff member Herb Abrams, emeritus professor of radiology, joined other medical staff members, faculty and students at Stanford Medical School on June 16 to deliver the commencement address.

Abrams spoke to a crowd of 1,500 graduates, faculty, guests and family members. In all, 30 graduates received the master’s of science degree, 89 were awarded doctorates and 76 became M.D.s. Some people received multiple degrees.

Abrams, introduced by Dean Philip A. Pizzo as the epitome of a physician-activist, went on to call physician activism “the fourth dimension of medicine”—after the other three tasks of patient care, research and teaching. Abrams warned the new physicians of the challenges to stay active, even though the medical and graduate students have already participated in projects in 48 countries on seven continents.

“You are entering a new phase ... with huge demands on your time and energy that may limit your vistas as the 24-hour day consumes you,” he said. “You may find it difficult to find the time to savor and enjoy the activist experience.”

The speaker reflected on his own involvement in two physician movements formed to alter national and international policy toward nuclear weapons. He was on the national board of Physicians for Social Responsibility and was founding vice-president of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, which received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985.

Medical staff members receiving awards for their clinical involvement with trainees or as caregiving role models, included:

• YASSER Y. EL-SAYED, obstetrics and gynecology — The Alwin C. Rambar-James B.D. Mark Award for Excellence in Patient Care. This award was established in 1984 to recognize and honor a Stanford physician who excels in patient care, exemplified by his or her ability to meld competence with compassion. The awardee is also recognized for working productively with all members of the health care team. The honor is open to all Stanford physicians, regardless of where they deliver care, and nominations come from fellow physicians and other caregivers.

• JAMES BAXTER, medicine; PAUL FISHER, neurology and pediatrics — the Arthur L. Bloomfield Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Clinical Medicine.

• AUDREY SHAFER, anesthesiology — the 2007 Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Award for Outstanding and Innovative Contributions to Medical Education.

• PAUL FISHER, neurology and pediatrics; STEVEN GUEST, nephrology; JOHN “JAY” JERNICK, medicine (family and community medicine) — the 2007 Kaiser Family Foundation Awards for Excellence in Clinical Teaching.

• ELIZABETH STUART, pediatrics — The Franklin G. Ebaugh, Jr. Award for Outstanding Dedication to Advising Medical Students.

• NEIL GESUNDHEIT, medicine (endo-crinology) — The Lawrence H. Mathers Award for Exceptional Commitment to Teaching and Active Involvement in Medical Student Education.