Staff, faculty and families came to the Hilton – Downtown Tampa to officially welcome the 130 newest medical students to the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine during the Class of 2028 White Coat Ceremony, one of the first major milestones in their medical school journey.
Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine.
Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of MCOM, started by welcoming the families and thanking them for the support they’ve shown their students as they begin their health care careers. Dr. Lockwood’s remarks to the students were a reminder of how much trust people put in their doctors.
“I ask that you remember that trust today as you formally don your white coat. It’s a powerful symbol bestowing instant authority and respect. When you wear that coat, people view you as among the most trusted people in society,” Dr. Lockwood said.
Dr. Lockwood went on to describe the four commitments the white coat represents.
- A commitment to scientific inquiry, empiricism, and the pursuit of truth
- A commitment to compassion and concern for every patient
- A commitment to lifelong learning and need to develop grit
- A commitment to community
“If you hold fast to these four commitments, you will have earned the distinction the white coat conveys and have adhered to the fundamental values it symbolizes,” Dr. Lockwood concluded.
(Read more of Dr. Lockwood's remark's on his blog, Delivering Health Excellence.)
John Couris, DBA, president and chief executive officer of Tampa General Hospital.
John Couris, DBA, president and chief executive officer of Tampa General Hospital, was next to address the class. As the leader of MCOM’s primary teaching hospital, Couris’ remarks highlighted the partnership between TGH and USF Health resulting in the region’s first academic health system, and the role medical students play in the success of that partnership.
“You and your classmates play a critical role in the future of health care, not only in this region, but across the state and throughout the country,” Couris said. “As an academic health system, we recognize that is our responsibility to help provide you with innovative learning and research opportunities and access to leading-edge practitioners you can learn from. We value your contributions to the care of our patients and communities.”
Jose Malavet, MCOM class of 2025 and student council president.
Jose Malavet, a senior medical student and MCOM student council president, offered words of encouragement and validation to students, while appreciating the diverse backgrounds and variety of paths to medical school.
“Whether you were accepted on the first try, applied more than once, or waited on your seat from the wait list, just as I did, know this: you belong here. Each of you has earned your place and it’s your unique experiences, perseverance and passion that will continue to make this school great,” Malavet said. “As you embark on your journey into the noble profession of medicine, remember that while your approaches may differ, your shared commitment to empathy, compassion and humanism will make you truly great doctors.”
Amy Brown, MD, associate professor in the MCOM Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Amy Brown, MD, associate professor in the MCOM Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, was the last to address the class. Dr. Brown took examples from Olympic champions as a model for lives as medical students and eventually as physicians. Her message included four pieces of advice:
- Take care of yourself
- Lean on your support
- Trust the process
- Know you belong here
“While you may not end your career with a gold medal around your neck, your patients will allow you into parts of their lives that they may not share with anyone else. You will help them get through some of the most difficult moments imaginable. It will be difficult sometimes,” Dr. Brown said. “The road to get there is long and filled with moments when you will be tempted to give up. Any Olympic champion will tell you that it’s worth it.”
After Dr. Brown’s remarks, the moment the students and their families have been waiting for arrived. Christopher Jackson, MD, FACP, FSSCI, associate dean of the MCOM Office of Student Affairs and associate professor in the MCOM Department of Internal Medicine, called groups of students center stage to have their first white coats put over their shoulders by faculty mentors. This was Dr. Jackson’s first MCOM White Coat Ceremony since starting in August.
Deborah DeWaay, MD, FACP, senior associate dean of Undergaduate Medical Education and professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, led the students in the Oath of Commitment. The Oath of Commitment, similar to the Oath of Hippocrates, affirms loyalty to the profession of medicine and commitment to professional conduct, collaboration, duty, and to do no harm.
Following the event, families met with their students outside of the ballroom, seeing them for the first time in their white coats. The feelings of pride filled the air as they took time to commemorate the occasion with family photos that featured hugs and kisses, and tears of joy from parents and students.
More about the Class of 2028:
130 Students
51% Male, 49% Female
Median MCAT: 520 (97th percentile)
18% Under-represented in medicine
Residency: 61% Florida, 39% out of state
More pictures from the ceremony:
