The White Coat Ceremony tradition began in 1993 at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University. This solemn yet celebratory event, currently practiced by 99 percent of AAMC-accredited medical schools, received widespread adoption throughout the United States. Beginning in 2007, the College of Medicine – Phoenix began holding the ceremony at the conclusion of the first academic block, Introduction to Medicine, as a rite of passage for all incoming medical students. In this ceremony, students receive their first white coat from the deans of the College of Medicine – Phoenix and together recite a personalized version of the Hippocratic Oath, reminding all who hear that their journey in serving patients begins immediately.
Prior to crossing the stage, students and their guests are addressed by a prominent member of the medical community, who is selected for their demonstration of humanism and compassion in patient care.
Similar to a graduation, the White Coat ceremony marks a new beginning. Yet unlike a graduation, this ceremony does not symbolize the end of an academic journey, but rather the beginning of a lifelong commitment to the pursuit of excellence in medicine. As students receive their white coats and recite their class oath, they commit to demonstrate and maintain the core values of the College of Medicine – Phoenix, including collaboration, community, diversity, excellence, innovation, integrity and servant leadership. In addition, each is given a stethoscope that symbolizes the human touch involved in medicine.
White Coat Ceremony - Class of 2027 Highlights
- Feature Story – The Journey Begins: The Class of 2027 Receives Their First White Coats.
- Videos:
- Photos from the event.
