New York Medical College Hosts Class of 2019 White Coat Ceremony

New York Medical College last week welcomed 200 new medical students with a gathering of friends and families on campus for the Class of 2019 White Coat Ceremony, the Valhalla-based school announced.

Each year before the start of classes, the school’s entering medical students commemorate the beginning of their careers by donning the physician’s white coat – a widely recognized symbol of the medical profession.

“The White Coat Ceremony is one of the most anticipated milestones along a doctor’s path, as it marks the beginning of a medical student’s transformation into a professional,” said D. Douglas Miller, M.D., C.M., M.B.A., dean of the School of Medicine, in a statement. “As these young doctors prepare for their careers in medicine, we remind them that at the forefront of treatment is humanism. We look forward to educating our new class of incoming students and seeing their future accomplishments and successes.”

According to school officials, The Arnold P. Gold Foundation created the White Coat Ceremony in 1933, and it is celebrated at almost all medical schools in the United States, as well as in 13 other countries.

During the ceremony, students were addressed by Dr. Miller, who represents NYMC’s values and the profession the students are about to enter. Each student was personally cloaked with the white coat by individuals who believe in the students’ ability to carry on the noble tradition of doctoring as a personally-delivered gift of faith, confidence and compassion. Students then recited the medical student oath, which represents their public acknowledgment of the responsibilities of the profession and their willingness to assume such obligation.

A lapel pin, embossed with the words Humanism in Medicine and The Arnold P. Gold Foundation’s heart shaped stethoscope logo, was presented to each student as a gift from the foundation. It is a reminder, throughout their medical education and beyond, of their White Coat Ceremony and oath they have taken to treat their patients and colleagues with dignity, respect and compassion.

Photo: Students from the New York Medical College School of Medicine’s Class of 2019 recite the medical student oath during the recent White Coat Ceremony. Photo credit: New York Medical College