Thursday, August 10, 2017

White Coat Ceremony

Last Friday I attended a White Coat Ceremony at the Duke University School of Medicine.
 
Almost all medical schools in the USA have a White Coat Ceremony for their first year students. I do not know if other countries have a ceremony like this. It is a ritual that marks one’s entrance into medical school.
 
(On a side note: It is very difficult to get admission to any medical school in the USA. The admission standards are very high and extremely competitive. First, you must have a four year bachelor’s (undergraduate) degree. Then you need to take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) Exam. The MCAT score will be sent directly to the medical school to which an individual has applied. In addition to academic excellence, these schools are looking for leadership, service, compassion, and team work. Once you’re admitted to medical school, then you have to study for four more years to obtain an MD degree. After you have obtained the MD degree, you have to be Board certified.)
 
Now back to the White Coat Ceremony. Just one word – IMPRESSIVE!
 
I was so impressed with this ceremony at Duke, that I thought I should blog about it.
 
116 students were admitted to Duke’s medical school this year. All were in attendance, and they attended the ceremony with their family and friends. The university arranged a reception for all of the incoming students, as well as their family and friends. Plenty of hors d'oeuvres and soft drinks were provided.
 
While everyone was seated in the auditorium, senior doctors and deans were up on stage. The new 116 students arrived in procession and took their seats.
 
The Vice Dean, Medical Education, gave the welcome address. The Dean and Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs spoke about “Becoming a Duke Doctor in 2017”. An Associate Dean explained the “Symbolism of White Coat”.
 
Then each student’s name was called so they can come up on stage. Once on the stage, each student was assisted by a senior faculty member into his/her white coat for the very first time. Then all the students took the “Class Oath”.
 
Closing remarks were provided by the Vice Dean, Medical Education.
 
Afterwards all of the students, as well as their family and friends socialized for a while. There was clear happiness in everyone’s face.
 
Here are some photos from the occasion.
 
Duke University
 
Welcome
 
Reception
 
Senior Faculty on Stage
 
Assisting a Student into her White Coat
 
Taking Class Oath
 
 
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35 comments:

  1. KKAugust 10, 2017 at 8:56 AM

    This almost feels like the Passing Out Parades in Military, Paramilitary, Police, Fire Service and other such Academies. If it generates a feeling of fraternity and service to the community at large, I feel this is a very good thing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SGAugust 10, 2017 at 5:33 PM

      Thanks for your comment Karunesh. I also feel this is a very good thing.

      Delete
  2. DeeAugust 10, 2017 at 11:02 AM

    Great Blog SG. Interesting I didn't know of this ceremony before. Wondering if such a ceremony exists in India

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    Replies
    1. SGAugust 10, 2017 at 5:34 PM

      Thanks for your comment Dee. I have no idea if such a ceremony exists in India. May be some other readers give some information.l

      Delete
  3. Who Posted This?August 10, 2017 at 2:09 PM

    White Coat ceremony.
    Black Tie event.
    Red Sox from Boston.
    Nobody cares because the bottom line is – DUKE SUCKS!

    Regards,
    Roy Williams

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SGAugust 10, 2017 at 5:45 PM

      Thanks for your comment Roy. You are a sour loser. Duke has a 16 to 10 record against your Tar Heels ever since you became their Head Coach. Also, Coach K of Duke was the Head Coach for U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball Team for 3 Olympics (Beijing, London, and Rio de Janeiro). The only consolation is that you are a “bhumiputra” (Son of the Land) for North Carolina. So people have soft corner for you.

      Delete
  4. Destination InfinityAugust 10, 2017 at 6:00 PM

    Good to know. The standards for education, medical or otherwise, should be very high - like this. In India, that has been diluted to a huge extent! BTW, congrats - I guess one of your relatives has got the admission to this prestigious course :)

    Destination Infinity

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SGAugust 11, 2017 at 12:27 PM

      Thanks for your comments Rajesh. Yes, my niece got admitted to Duke Med School this year.

      Delete
  5. KParthasarathiAugust 10, 2017 at 10:21 PM

    Very impressive ceremony that conveys the respect and importance accorded to the white coat.The rigor in selection of students would automatically reflect on the quality of doctors coming out of the university. Thank you,SG

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SGAugust 11, 2017 at 12:30 PM

      Thanks for your comments Mr. KP. Yes, you are right. The quality of doctors coming out of the university is excellent.

      Delete
  6. chitraAugust 11, 2017 at 12:30 PM

    White coat ceremony very impressive. Making each student aware of the importance of what they are going to Be. Wish we too had similar orientation prog like this.
    Your first picture is very beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SGAugust 11, 2017 at 12:35 PM

      Thanks for your comments Chitra. I am glad you liked this post.

      Delete
  7. SandhyaAugust 14, 2017 at 5:17 AM

    I am overwhelmed, reading this! So much importance is given to the new students. I liked the Senior faculty member assisting the student into the white coat for the first time! The parents, relatives and friends will be proud of the student. Thanks for this blogpost.

    My niece's daughter went to King's college in London and now she is a surgeon. Must ask her if they too had this White coat ceremony.

    Thanks once again, SG!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SGAugust 14, 2017 at 6:15 AM

      Thanks for your comments Sandhya. Please find out from your niece's daughter. I am curious/interested to know.

      Delete
    2. SandhyaAugust 15, 2017 at 7:09 AM

      No they don't have this ceremony. They don't let them wear white coat too, from the beginning of the year/term. Duke's is interesting, she said!

      Delete
    3. SGAugust 15, 2017 at 6:23 PM

      Thanks Sandhya for getting back to me. This White Coat Ceremony is not just in Duke Med School. It is a ceremony in all the med schools in USA.

      Delete
  8. Pradeep NairAugust 14, 2017 at 8:36 AM

    Such impressive functions, where importance is given to even the minutest detail, speaks highly of the institution.
    My warm felicitations and best wishes to your niece for making it to such a prestigious institution.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SGAugust 15, 2017 at 6:26 PM

      Thanks for your comments Pradeep. I will convey your warm felicitations and best wishes to my niece.

      Delete
  9. Avada KedavraAugust 17, 2017 at 3:30 PM

    Wow did not know it was that difficult to get into a med school. One of my not-so-close cousin is doing her medical in one of the Universities. Congrats to your niece. I never knew about this ceremony. Thanks for the pics.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SGAugust 22, 2017 at 5:25 AM

      Thanks for your comments Ash. I am glad you liked this post.

      Delete
  10. Vineeta YashswiAugust 18, 2017 at 12:20 AM

    This is great culture to motivate new students...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SGAugust 22, 2017 at 5:26 AM

      Thanks for your comments Vineeta. Yup, it will motivate new students.

      Delete
  11. Shesha ChaturvediAugust 20, 2017 at 6:49 PM

    That was interesting info. I am curious about India now, probably some of my cousins will enlighten me when I meet them next. This is a grand ceremony. Loved the pictures and University building.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SGAugust 22, 2017 at 5:27 AM

      Thanks for your comments Shesha. Long time. No see. Where have you been?

      Let me know after talking to your cousins. Thanks.

      Delete
    2. Shesha ChaturvediAugust 22, 2017 at 12:31 PM

      Absolutely will update you. Yup its been really long time... *sigh..

      Delete
  12. Dr Genevive AngelaAugust 22, 2017 at 3:20 AM

    something I never heard of, sounds intresting - lovely pictures, thank you for sharing !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SGAugust 22, 2017 at 5:28 AM

      Thanks for your comments Janet. And, welcome to my blog. I am glad you liked this post.

      Janet, please visit here as often as possible. Thanks.

      Delete
  13. rudraprayagaAugust 23, 2017 at 6:12 AM

    Your topics totally differ one from the other. Nice.

    It is a feast to the visual organs to eye a congregation of people in white coloured garbs. Moreover receiving the new comers with warmth is a curious experience for them.

    In Kerala anybody with a swollen wallet can become a doctor to play with lives. And their reception is nothing but a harsh ragging from seniors.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sujatha SathyaAugust 30, 2017 at 11:49 PM

    THAT hard to get into medical school !!!
    You went there as a parent, is it?
    The whole ceremony seems very well organized. nice way to welcome the freshers

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sindhu Devi KSeptember 5, 2017 at 3:54 AM

    Interesting to know about the White Coat Ceremony. That's awesome how they prepare the future doctors to the most noble profession! So, did you go with your kid?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Shilpa GargSeptember 12, 2017 at 12:03 AM

    Wow! That's truly impressive. Congratulations to your niece and wishing her the very best. Have never heard of such a warm and lovely welcome at any college in India.

    ReplyDelete
  17. SandhyaSeptember 18, 2017 at 6:56 AM

    Long time, no post! Waiting to read your new posts, SG!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Avada KedavraOctober 4, 2017 at 12:52 PM

    Hey SG, long time no posts. How are you? Hope everything is fine at your end.

    ReplyDelete
  19. LocomenteOctober 6, 2017 at 1:56 AM

    Most have been a proud and memorable moment for all the kids...
    Thanks for sharing SG :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Affinity EducationApril 16, 2020 at 11:45 PM

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    There are so many unknown facts and knowledge I have got in your article. I was not aware of these facts yet. However, I have done so much research and written an article on Admission Eligibility Criteria in Duke University .Visit our website Get Admission Abroad to read that article.

    ReplyDelete

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