Dr. Manish K. Sethi, a Class of 1996 alumnus and member of the School’s Ancient Guard, will deliver the keynote address at Webb’s 2026 Commencement Exercises on the School’s Upper Field beginning at 11 AM, on Saturday, May 23, in Bell Buckle, Tenn.
Dr. Sethi, an orthopedic trauma surgeon and Professor of Orthopedic Trauma at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, is a distinguished physician, educator and author whose work reflects a deep commitment to service and caring for others. After graduating from Webb, Dr. Sethi earned an undergraduate degree from Brown University and, later, a medical degree from Harvard Medical School, where he likewise completed his orthopedic surgery residency.
Dr. Sethi’s work places him on the front lines of medicine, helping patients and their families navigate some of life’s most difficult moments. A Fulbright Scholar, he spent one year in Tunisia after college, working with children affected by muscular dystrophy—an experience that deepened his commitment to a life of service through medicine.
In addition to his clinical and academic roles, Dr. Sethi has engaged in public service, campaigning for the United States Senate in Tennessee in 2020 and co-founding Healthy Tennessee, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing preventive healthcare statewide. Dr. Sethi is also the author of numerous peer-reviewed publications and books, including his most recent, The American Dream in Tennessee: Stories of Faith, Struggle, and Survival, which reflects on the role of faith, family and community in healing patients who have faced life-threatening trauma.
As this year’s Commencement keynote speaker, Dr. Sethi returned to The Webb School campus on Friday, May 1, to spend time with Seniors in the Class of 2026 before their graduation. During their meeting, Dr. Sethi shared stories, answered questions, and shed light on his own journey at Webb and beyond. “Coming back to Webb and spending time with the next generation of leaders has been incredibly special. While I graduated nearly 30 years ago, the traditions of honor and service still connect me deeply to the Class of 2026,” said Dr. Sethi.
During their meeting, he offered this powerful advice to the Senior class: “Open yourself up to new experiences and new ways of thinking.” He noted, “The fear of the unknown is common, but what matters is how you embrace it. If you do, you are going to see sides of yourself you've never known.”
The Webb School looks forward to welcoming Dr. Sethi back to campus for Commencement on Saturday, May 23. He currently resides in Nashville, Tenn., with his wife, Maya, and their two children.