Page 19 - RUSM 2023 Commencement Program

Student Commencement Speaker

Ryan Azarkhail, MD
Class of 2023

Dr. Ryan Azarkhail was born in Ft. Lauderdale,
Florida, and raised by his Iranian father and
Midwestern American mother. Shaped by his love
of family and community, he went on to attend
the University of Central Florida where he earned
his bachelor’s degree in health sciences. Before
enrolling at Ross University School of Medicine
(RUSM), Dr. Azarkhail spent four years working as
a healthcare recruiter. During that time, his passion
for the community led him to coach high school
basketball, host food drives for the homeless through
the Broward Partnership, assist refugee families through the Refugee Assistance Alliance
program, and mentor middle school students.

While at RUSM, championing the voice of the student body and serving the school
community were always at the heart of his medical school journey. Dr. Azarkhail served
multiple leadership roles, including Clinical Student Government Association (CSGA)
Honor Council senator, SGA class representative, Welcome Committee member,
IMF Orientation member, and student ambassador. However, one of his proudest
achievements came when he was elected as the second-ever SGA president for the new
Barbados campus in May 2019. Embodying the resilient, passionate, and enduring spirit
of the RUSM community has and always will be the greatest honor and privilege for
Dr. Azarkhail.

In his spare time, Dr. Azarkhail enjoys playing basketball, cheering on the Miami Heat,
playing with his dogs Brodie and Athena, watching Netflix with his fiancé, traveling with
his family, picking on his younger sister, and eating Persian food. In July, he will be starting
his internal medicine residency at Wellstar Kennestone in Marietta, Georgia. Above all else,
he is tremendously grateful for all of the opportunities, timeless memories, and lifelong
friendships that he has forged with RUSM. His love for his fellow colleagues, especially
the Class of 2023, will always run deep.

19