Class of 2020 Cloaked With White Coats at Annual Ceremony

The University of South Alabama College of Medicine held its annual White Coat Ceremony for the class of 2020 on Saturday, June 16, 2018. During the ceremony, rising third-year medical students were cloaked with white coats, the traditional dress of physicians for more than 100 years.

"The timing of receiving our white coasts really helps you reflect on how far you have come as a student; and wearing the coat every day will remind me that I've accomplished a lot, but there's also much still to learn," said third-year medical student Malik McMullin. "The thing I'm looking forward to most in the clinical years is interacting with patients. For the first time in our medical education, we will actually be doing on a day-to-day basis what we want to do for the rest of our lives."

During the ceremony, 69 students in unison took the Medical Student Oath, a promise to uphold the human aspects of medicine, such as sensitivity, compassion and respect for patients. Dr. John V. Marymont, vice president for medical affairs and dean of the USA College of Medicine, delivered the keynote address.

"The chance to don the white coat signifies the responsibility we have to provide both comprehensive and compassionate care to our patients as well as a lifelong commitment to learning. The ceremony was special as we were surrounded by those who have loved and supported us along our journey to one day becoming a physician," said third-year medical student Patrick Young. "During the ceremony, Dr. Marymont challenged us to consider the symbolism of the white coat and to wear it with the honor and humility it deserves."

Check out more photos from the 2018 White Coat Ceremony on Flickr.

Also during the ceremony, 10 rising fourth-year medical students, three residents and one College of Medicine faculty member were inducted into the USA Chapter of the Arnold P. Gold Humanism in Medicine Honor Society (GHHS) – a national society that celebrates compassionate, patient-centered care. Read more about the new GHHS members.

Select students from the class of 2019, residents and faculty were inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society at the ceremony.