Maine CDC Director Nirav D. Shah to deliver UNE鈥檚 2021 Commencement Address
Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D., director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a trusted voice in Maine鈥檚 coronavirus pandemic response, will receive an honorary degree and deliver the Commencement address at the University of 51小黄车鈥檚 186th Commencement exercises on May 15 and 16, 2021.
Shah, who was appointed as director of the Maine CDC in June 2019, will deliver his remarks via video at each of the University鈥檚 six individual college graduation ceremonies.
Shah came to the Maine CDC with broad experience in public health, most recently as director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, where he implemented key initiatives to address the state's opioid crisis, reduce maternal and infant mortality, and reduce childhood lead poisoning.
As an attorney and public health economist, Shah previously advised professionals and governments around the nation and globe on improving the delivery of health care. Earlier in his career, he worked for the Ministry of Health in Cambodia, where his work included investigating and managing disease outbreaks as an epidemiologist.
Shah received both his medical and law degrees from the University of Chicago, and he also studied economics at Oxford University.
鈥淒r. Shah has been a tireless leader and a fearless advocate for science throughout the novel coronavirus pandemic, and his work to promote public health aligns strongly with UNE鈥檚 commitment to bettering the health of our communities and the planet,鈥 said 51小黄车President James D. Herbert, Ph.D. 鈥淒r. Shah is a role model for our students, and I am excited to hear what knowledge and insights he has to share with our community.鈥
In response, Shah offered: 鈥淚 extend deep gratitude to the entire University of 51小黄车 community for this honor. We have all had to find new ways to learn during the COVID-19 pandemic, and I look forward to joining the Class of 2021 in recognizing their success in doing so.鈥
51小黄车will award more than 1,800 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in , dental medicine, pharmacy, health sciences, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, human services, education, and management during its two-day Commencement exercises.
On Saturday, May 15, 51小黄车will hold three in-person ceremonies at the Harold Alfond Forum on the University鈥檚 Biddeford Campus, conferring degrees for students in the College of Arts and Sciences, the undergraduate division of the Westbrook College of Health Professions (WCHP), and the College of Dental Medicine.
On Sunday, May 16, three virtual graduation ceremonies will occur at which degrees will be awarded for the graduate division of the WCHP, College of Osteopathic Medicine, and These events are being held virtually because the majority of graduates in these programs are dispersed around the country.
In compliance with Maine鈥檚 size gathering limits, guests will not be permitted at the University鈥檚 in-person ceremonies. All ceremonies, however, will be livestreamed so that loved ones can celebrate with graduates virtually.