College of Medicine Holds White Coat Ceremony for Class of 2022

As life markers go, the White Coat is right up there with the biggest—a “major milestone event,” as President Gershen put it in his opening remarks to the 145 students from the College of Medicine present to be “coated’ Monday, Sept. 17. When a first-year student dons a white coat for the first time, it’s a big psychological step in the journey toward becoming a physician. While it may be daunting, and because the coat symbolizes such authority, Elisabeth Young, M.D. (’85), dean of the College of Medicine, offered the students of the Class of 2022 some advice at their White Coat ceremony.

You’re not alone

It’s important to practice compassionate care —and to practice it on yourself, not only on your patients, said Dr. Young.

And remember: You’re not alone.

In fact, that second statement was the mantra for Dr. Young’s remarks, which touched on the following thoughts:

• Remember to take time for relationships. Don’t isolate yourself.
• Establish and maintain healthy routines for sleeping, eating and other daily activities.
• Ask patients about their feelings: What are their hopes and fears?
• Practice self-awareness. Take a few moments each day to practice mindfulness or meditation.
• Take time to be grateful for the sacrifices made by others for you.

Students chose six of their peers from the College of Medicine Class of 2021 for the honor of ‘’coating’’ each member of the Class of 2022 as they processed onstage to the sound of their name being called by Sandra Emerick, Ed.D., chief student affairs officer. Coaters for the College of Medicine were Stephen Grossi, Saeed Khoncarly, Nathan Nahhas, Michelle Pfeffer, Andrew Whipkey and Eesha Zaheer.

John Boltri, M.D., professor and chair, Department of Family and Community Medicine, delivered the keynote address for the College of Medicine after receiving the 2018 College of Medicine Dean’s Leadership Award. He exhorted students to nourish themselves and to ‘’seek help when you need it.’’