The White Coat Ceremony - A time of celebration and reflection

This afternoon I had the distinct pleasure to participate in the University of Louisville School of Medicine's White Coat ceremony.  For those not familiar, the White Coat ceremony is a celebration recognizing the first day of the incoming class of medical students and concludes with the students being presented their first "white coat" in recognition of their officially being accepted into the medical profession as a doctor in training.


Today we celebrated the incoming class of 2014 as 160 new students were adorned with their first white coat.  I have been able to participate in a number of these ceremonies over the years and they always cause me to reflect back on the true meaning of our roles in the medical profession. We heard from a number of speakers that spoke to these future doctors about their roles and responsibilities as they embark upon becoming a physician.  The Provost praised the incoming students for their achievement and accomplishments, yet reminded them that while they will become great scientists in medicine, that they also must be humanists in order to truly heal and treat the patients they will encounter.  The Dean of the medical school reflected on several lessons to learn including the responsibility and humility of becoming a physician, and the pride and knowledge that coincides with becoming part of an academic teaching institution.  And perhaps most touching, we heard from a second year medical student who shared his experience of when he first realized that he wasn't just a student, but a doctor in training as he recounted a very personal experience of losing a lifelong friend to a very rare and debilitating cancer at the young age of 24.


Throughout the ceremony, I couldn't help but look out into the audience at these 160 future doctors and imagine the thoughts that they must be going through their minds.  The sense of pride and accomplishment of being accepted into medical school after years of hard work and schooling, the hopes and dreams of what their lives will become as they complete their training, and the sense of anxiety and fear of the work and responsibility that lies ahead for each and every one of them.  I also thought back to the early days when I started my medical career as an Emergency Medical Technician.  Back then I wasn't concerned about politics, budgets, staffing levels and morale, insurance, health reform or any of the number of things that typically occupy my time and thoughts these days.  It was about helping people in their time of need, plain and simple.


Much has changed in my life since those early days, just as much will change for these future doctors.  Yet despite all of the political and financial realities within which we must operate, my hope is that they will never stray too far from the thoughts and reasons that brought them to this point in their careers, and that they help all of us continue to remember why we were first called into this profession of healing.


The White Coat ceremony finished with the students reciting and taking the pledge of the Declaration of Geneva.   For all of my fellow colleagues in the medical profession, I encourage you to also reflect  on its significance, especially in light of the challenges we all face today...


Declaration of Geneva

At the time of being admitted as a member of the medical profession, I solemnly pledge myself to consecrate my life to the service of humanity.


I will give to my teachers the respect and gratitude which is their due;


I will practice my profession with conscience and dignity;


The health of my patient will be my first consideration;


I will respect the secrets which are confided in me;


I will maintain by all the means in my power the honor and the noble traditions of the medical profession;


My colleagues will be my brothers and sisters;


I will not permit considerations of religion, nationality, race, gender, politics, socioeconomic standing, or sexual orientation to intervene between my duty and my patient;


I will maintain the utmost respect for human life; even under threat, I will not use my medical knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity.


I make those promises solemnly, freely and upon my honor.

The White Coat Ceremony - A time of celebration and reflection