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Atul Gawande flays federal actions in Harvard keynote
Gawande shared his center lost funding, calling it a sign of larger threats. “We must stay true to our values.”
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Pranavi Sharma - Sun, 15, Jun 2025
- 01:45 EDT
- 56
Gawande served as assistant administrator for global health at USAID until early 2025 / Harvard Gazette
Indian American surgeon and public health expert Atul Gawande delivered the keynote address at Harvard Alumni Day on June 6, calling out recent federal actions for undermining public health and damaging academic institutions like Harvard.
Gawande, who served as assistant administrator for global health at USAID until early 2025, told a crowd of over 9,600 alumni gathered in Tercentenary Theatre that such measures posed “existential questions” for the university. “The discussions have been hard, but the answer was ultimately easy,” he said, according to Harvard Gazette. He thanked Harvard president Alan Garber and the Corporation “for standing strong against demands that threaten the foundation of teaching, scholarship, and discovery.”
Gawande, a surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and professor at Harvard Medical School and the T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said he learned just last week that funding had been cut for his own research center focused on reducing surgical patient mortality. Despite this, he emphasized the importance of staying grounded in principle. “Navigating an uncertain future,” he said, “is far easier when we know who we are and what we stand for.”
The Alumni Day event was part of Harvard’s 374th Commencement week and drew a record number of attendees. The day began with a traditional alumni parade and included performances, the presentation of the Harvard Medals, and remarks from university leaders.
President Alan Garber, who received a standing ovation, acknowledged a difficult year for the university and said Harvard was working to respond to legitimate criticisms while also defending itself against “misrepresentations and retaliatory actions from the federal government.”
“Only one thing about Harvard has persisted over 388 years, and actually it’s not our name,” Garber said according to Harvard Gazette. “It’s our embrace of scrutiny, advancement, and renewal.”
Harvard Alumni Association President Moitri Chowdhury Savard also addressed the crowd, urging graduates to “hold multiple truths” and uphold shared values such as freedom of thought and kindness. Executive director Sarah Karmon thanked volunteers and paid tribute to longtime university official Jack Reardon, who is retiring after more than 60 years.
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