Dr. Thomas Coffman, professor and senior advisor at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore, will give the John E. Whitmore Lecture commencement address at Baylor College of Medicine’s ceremony in May, according to a Mar. 23 announcement from the college. Alongside Coffman, Gloria Hicks, Wilhelmina E. “Beth” Robertson, Fred Seigel, and Nancy Goodman will receive honorary degrees for their contributions to healthcare and community service.
The upcoming ceremony is significant as it highlights leaders who have supported advancements in medicine and science education. The event will include graduates from the School of Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and the School of Health Professions Genetic Counseling Program.
“This year’s honorary degree recipients are distinguished leaders who support Baylor’s mission to advance healthcare, scientific research and education for the benefit of our community and those around the world,” said Dr. Paul Klotman, president, CEO and executive dean of Baylor College of Medicine.
Coffman was dean at Duke-NUS Medical School from 2015-2025 and currently serves as a professor in its Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Signature Research Programme. He has held prominent roles at Duke University School of Medicine including chief of nephrology for 18 years. His research focuses on hypertension and diabetic nephropathy; he is principal investigator for a major study on diabetic kidney disease pathogenesis.
Baylor College of Medicine contributes to community service as one of its core missions according to the official website. It functions independently while engaging in clinical partnerships according to the official website and focuses on advancing research, education, patient care, and community service as an independent health sciences university according to the official website. Klotman holds leadership roles including president, chief executive officer, and executive dean according to the official website.
Honorary degree recipients Hicks (Doctor of Humanities in Medicine), Robertson (Doctor of Humanities in Medicine), Seigel (Doctor of Humanities in Medicine), Goodman (Doctor of Humanities in Medicine), along with Coffman (Doctor of Letters in Medicine) have each made significant contributions through public service or direct support for academic medicine or their communities.
