Dr. Eric Cioè-Peña ’01 to Give 2026 Commencement Address

This spring, Moses Brown School is incredibly proud to welcome back Dr. Eric Cioè-Peña ’01 to deliver the keynote address at the 2026 Commencement exercises. As the founder and Vice President of the Center for Global Health at Northwell Health, Eric has forged a remarkable career as a physician, humanitarian, and champion of global health equity.

The decision to invite Dr. Cioè-Peña emerged from a collaborative selection process. Each year, Head of School Katie Titus partners with senior class leaders to identify a speaker whose life and work will resonate deeply with the graduating class.

“Having a voice in choosing our speaker shows how much MB values student input,” said Sam L. of the 12th grade selection committee. “Dr. Cioe-Peña’s work in countries like India, Botswana, and El Salvador reflect a belief that, as global citizens, our responsibilities extend far beyond our immediate surroundings. His adaptability in new and unprecedented situations will serve as a strong guide to us as we prepare to step into the world ourselves. We know he’ll give the perfect send-off for this year’s senior class.“

An Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Eric’s academic background includes an M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, an MPH in Humanitarian Assistance from Columbia University, and an MBA from Hofstra University. He has worked extensively across Ecuador, Guyana, India, Botswana, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Ukraine, focusing on trauma care, mental health access, and health systems development. In 2020 and 2021 during the height of the pandemic, Eric served as the Medical Director of a 108-bed COVID alternate care facility in New York, directing the care of over 1,000 patients. 
Most recently, Eric’s tireless efforts earned him the Schwab Foundation's 2025 Corporate Social Innovator of the Year, which was presented to him at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Inviting graduates back to the Grove to share their post-MB journeys provides invaluable insight for our seniors. Dr. Cioè-Peña's return — following his recognition as the Moses Brown Alumni Association's Outstanding Young Alum in the fall of 2023 — is a powerful testament to the enduring bond of the MB community.

“We are continually amazed by the diverse and meaningful paths our graduates take," shared Head of School Katie Titus. "Eric’s dedication to humanitarian aid and closing the health-equity gap perfectly illustrates the Quaker values we strive to instill in every student. We are honored to have him share his experiences with this year's seniors.”

By accepting the invitation to serve as Commencement speaker, Eric adds his name to a remarkable roster of past alumni speakers who have shared their wisdom under the elms. The 2026 commencement ceremony will be held on June 11, 2026 and is open to graduates, their families, and invited guests.