For these beginning students in Meharry Medical College’s School of Medicine, School of Dentistry and School of Graduate Studies and Research, the White Coat ceremony is the start of a course of study toward a profession in health care. Considered a rite of passage for health care professionals, the donning of a white coat symbolizes the beginning of the journey to become a certified health professional. Through the ceremony, in the presence of family, first-year students learn the necessity of balancing excellence in science with compassionate patient care. This ceremony helps identify the characteristics of the complete doctor and provides a contract for professionalism and empathy in medicine. Here are a few scenes from this year’s White Coat Day.
Brenda Lemus, M.D., assistant dean of clinical research, addresses the Class of 2022 during School of Medicine White Coat Day.
Samuel Adunyah, Ph.D., assists new School of Medicine student Morgan O’Neal with her new white coat.
New students pursuing master’s degrees in the School of Graduate Studies and Research.
New School of Medicine students (left to right) Rebecca Yang, Erika S. Johnson, and Kenyada I.T. Williams wait to don their new white coats during ceremonies.
New students pursuing Ph.D.s in the School of Graduate Studies and Research.
Dr. Julie Gray, assistant dean for student affairs and assistant professor in the School of Dentistry, congratulates Wafa Hamid.
After ceremonies for the School of Dentistry, new dental student Eiriny N. Meshreky gets a lift from her father.
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