Feature Story
Health Center Today, August 24, 2009
Future Doctors Attend White Coat Ceremony
By Chris Kaminski
As they embark on their journey to become future physicians, 85 bright and enthusiastic men and women were formally welcomed to the University of Connecticut School of Medicine as the newest class of medical students at its annual White Coat Ceremony. The ceremony is a wonderful and meaningful tradition in which the school welcomes first-year students by presenting them with a white coat, the symbol of clinical service and care.
During the event, students were welcomed by Dr. Cato T. Laurencin, vice president for health affairs and dean of the medical school; Dr. Anthony Ardolino, associate dean of student affairs; Keat Sanford, assistant dean of admissions and student affairs; and Dr. Anton Alerte, chair of the admissions committee.
“The ceremony signifies the beginning of a life of service and caring and it begins on day one of the journey,” said Laurencin.
As a brief introduction of their background and interests was being read, students donned white coats for the first time with the help of second-year medical students in front of their family, friends, and colleagues. The program concluded with the recital of the Oath of Hippocrates.
