Campbell’s Turner Auditorium, filled with family members and friends of 166 first-year medical students, was the site of the Class of 2021 White Coat Ceremony today that symbolizes the transition of the students to the clinical aspects of their education.
The invocation from second-year med student Meleigh Groff, president of the Christian Medical and Dental Association, noted that the white coat is a representation of them, the School of Osteopathic Medicine and the medical field.
“Support from loved ones and studying have now come to this milestone,” she said.
University Chancellor and medical school namesake Jerry M. Wallace greeted the Class of 2021: “From the bottom of my heart I am so grateful and so proud of each one of you. You will touch the lives of many people who will be blessed by your servant leadership.”
Current president of the American Osteopathic Association, Mark A. Baker, DO, addressed the medical students noting that with the white coat comes tremendous responsibility, “You must take advantage of your years here; learn as much as you can, increase the knowledge, skills, intellect, work ethic, passion and love. Accept the honor and responsibility of the white coat with a sense of urgency,” he said.
He reminded the students that as physicians, they will see many people at their worst — when they are hurting, sick, frightened, lonely or desperate. “It is a privilege to be a physician. Never forget that.”
Once students were presented with their white coats by academic advisors, the class was led in taking the Osteopathic Oath by associate dean Dr. Robin King-Thiele.
First-year medical student Bradley Dorius empathized with his classmates saying, “Medical school can be overwhelming, to say the least. Some days are worse than others, but moments like this remind us why we’re here in the first place.”
Dr. Eric Gish, associate dean of OMM integration, addressed the students summing up the meaning of the white coat; a constant reminder of the strength as a physician and as a person. A reminder of the promise to every patient—the promise to heal and cure.
About the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2021
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Class motto Strengthened through diversity. Innovating together. Healing as one.
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166 students
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24 is the average age
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26 percent are North Carolina natives
- 30 states and several countries represented