College of Medicine – Phoenix Reaches Fundraising Goal for the Class of 2025

The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix announced the 2025 White Coat Ceremony fundraising goal of $30,000 was met with more than 70 community-based donors contributing to the campaign. Their gifts will support student scholarships and help 125 medical students from the Class of 2025 in the first milestone of their medical careers — the donning of the white coat.

The ceremony is a pivotal moment for medical students. When they slip their arms through the sleeves of their first white coat, it marks an important step in their commitment to serve in the medical field. The White Coat Ceremony is a rite of passage for medical students and signifies their entrance into the medical profession.

“The Class of 2025 White Coat Campaign reached its goal this year and raised over $30,000 in philanthropic gifts for student white coats and scholarships. This tremendous achievement could not have been realized without the support of our donors, faculty and staff,” said Liz Kaplan, senior director of development at the College of Medicine – Phoenix.

The cost of attending medical school has nearly doubled over the last 20 years. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average education debt after medical school is $251,600, which takes approximately 13 years for most physicians to pay back. The latest figures from the Association of American Medical College’s annual survey confirm that most medical students borrow under $300,000 with one in five students’ debt load exceeding this amount.

A gift to the campaign symbolizes the community’s recognition of the importance of improving health care in Arizona, as well as the need to reduce the shortage of physicians in the state. The funds raised support much-needed student scholarships in addition to purchasing the students’ first white coats and stethoscopes.

“Gifts received for this campaign let the Class of 2025 know that they are part of a supportive community who are equally passionate about improving lives and building healthier communities,” concluded Kaplan.

The Class of 2025’s White Coat Ceremony will be held on Friday, July 16, 2021. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Class of 2024’s White Coat Ceremony was postponed last year. It has been rescheduled for July 30, 2021.

For additional opportunities to support future physician leaders at the College of Medicine – Phoenix, please visit our Giving page.