Class of 2018 Medical Students to Receive White Coats June 19

The University of South Alabama College of Medicine will host its annual White Coat Ceremony at the USA Mitchell Center on June 19, 2016, at 2 p.m. During the ceremony, rising third-year medical students in the Class of 2018 will be cloaked with their first white coats, the traditional dress of physicians for more than 100 years.

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Edward Panacek, professor and chair of emergency medicine at the USA College of Medicine.

For students, the White Coat ceremony serves as a reminder of the importance and responsibility they take by dedicating themselves to the care of patients. During the ceremony, the students take the Medical Student Oath, a promise to uphold the human aspects of medicine including sensitivity, compassion and respect for patients.

Select rising seniors from the class of 2017 as well as residents and faculty also will be inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society at the ceremony. Inductees are selected for practicing patient-centered medical care with integrity, compassion and altruism. Election to this organization is by vote of medical students.

Each year, the USA Medical Alumni Association sponsors this event. Click here to read about last year's White Coat Ceremony.