Medical Students Mark the Start of Their Educational Voyage at White Coat Ceremony
The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry recently welcomed its newest class, the Class of 2027, into the world of clinical practice during the Robert L. & Lillian H. Brent White Coat Ceremony, which took place on Aug. 18 at the Larry and Cindy Bloch Alumni and Advancement Center.
The ceremony, a crucial milestone in medical education, marks the transition of students from classroom learners to clinical caregivers. This year's event was attended by 105 students, with an average age of 24, who received their white coats, symbolizing their transition into clinical training.
Joel Pasternack, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the white coat's significance as a commitment to learning medical science. He also highlighted the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that medical school offers to learn from a wide range of specialists.
Pasternack, a member of the SMD Class of 1980, shared mentors and experiences that shaped his career, underscoring the importance of gaining valuable experiences during clinical rotations. He also stressed the priority of medical care for society.
Mark B. Taubman, M.D., who is stepping down as Dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry, Senior Vice President for Health Sciences, and CEO of the medical center, also addressed the class. Taubman highlighted the importance of physicians embracing the Rochester-based biopsychosocial model, which treats patients as more than their medical issues.
The ceremony also included remarks from David R. Lambert, M.D., senior associate dean for Medical Student Education, Flavia Nobay, M.D., associate dean of Student Affairs, and Christine Hay, M.D., associate dean of Admissions.
Malayna Hocker, a fourth-year medical student, shared her thoughts and those of classmate Bianca Duah about their first three years as students. Hocker encouraged the Class of 2027 to remember why they started their journey during difficult moments. She advised them that they will make mistakes and struggle at times, but they can still be excellent healers.
The ceremony concluded with Hocker welcoming the Class of 2027 into a family of healers, emphasizing that they are what the world needs. The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Class of 2027 is now prepared to embark on the next phase of their medical education, guided by the principles of professionalism, ethics, and compassion.
Science played a significant role in the education and transformation of the Class of 2027, as they received their white coats, symbolizing their transition into clinical training and study of medical science. Furthermore, the importance of healthcare and wellness, both for individual patients and society, was consistently emphasized throughout the ceremony, with speakers stressing the need for treating medical-conditions within the context of a biopsychosocial model, and the call for excellent healers to address current medical-conditions and promote overall health-and-wellness. Education and self-development were also integral components of the event, as students were reminded to draw from the knowledge of various specialists and the valuable experiences gained during clinical rotations.
