A Great Honor, the Class of 2029 Don Their White Coats for the First Time

Professionalism, empathy and building trust are all traits symbolized by the white coat — and are all attributes physicians seek to embody. As the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix’s Class of 2029 officially received their own white coats, they, too, made that lifelong commitment to a career dedicated to the pursuit of healing.

It all began during their White Coat Ceremony on Friday, July 18, in Phoenix Symphony Hall. With their friends and families cheering them on, it was a rite of passage — one marking the beginning of their medical school journey. Opening the ceremony, Dean Fred E. Wondisford, MD, MS, MBA, noted the road ahead, but he also encouraged the students to never lose sight of what brought them to this moment.

“You have all arrived here with us with your own unique stories about what drove you to pursue a career in medicine,” he said. “Never forget that inspiration. Because as you transform from a talented physician-in-training to a skilled and compassionate physician, those inspirations will continue to drive and guide you forward.”

In addition to Dean Wondisford, the class heard remarks from alumni speaker Robert Bina, MD, interim chair of the college’s Department of Neurosurgery at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix, as well as Ben Schwartz, MD, president of Academic Delivery for Banner Health.

Dr. Bina, an alumnus of the Class of 2013, urged the students to never stop learning. “When diligent study and an open mind … when they meet, [they] allow you to be prepared for something new and allow you to do something innovative,” he said. “Be diligent in your studies, be open in your minds and be willing to throw everything you know out the window when new evidence comes in.”

And he cautioned that there is more to being a great physician than just understanding how to treat the disease, recounting words of advice from his mother. “Through you comes healing of the human condition,” he said. “And through you will come healing of the soul … Don’t ever forget to take care of humans. Don’t ever forget to listen to them.”

Dr. Schwartz’s words similarly sought to help the students maintain their sense of purpose — their why. “For each of you, individually, what motivates you to pursue this calling is different. I have one ask of you: embrace your why, celebrate it, but as you go through your education, keep an open mind about what your why really is,” he said.

Dr. Schwartz stressed they maintain that openness because it may lead them to discover their passion for a discipline that never interested them before. “It's really important in this time in your life to celebrate this amazing opportunity you have to define your why, to define what you want to be,” he said.

The 130 medical students who comprise the Class of 2029 — the 19^th to begin their studies since the college opened its doors in 2007 — were chosen from nearly 6,000 applicants.

To close the ceremony, they were given the chance to follow in the tradition of all who came before them, reciting their class oath. Turning to face the audience, they collectively stated to all their loved ones in attendance their intentions to live up to the immense responsibilities the white coat bestowed upon them.

“It is our shared humanity that creates our value as physicians. We, the Class of 2029, wear this white coat with steadfast curiosity, devotion and humility, as we enter the field of medicine,” they said.

For this year’s ceremony, the white coats and stethoscopes were generously donated by Banner Health, the college’s primary clinical partner.

Videos, Photos and More

• Videos:
  • Class of 2029 White Coat Ceremony.
  • Class of 2029 White Coat Ceremony Highlights (Coming soon).
• Photos from the event (More to come).

Class of 2029 Student Profiles