2022 White Coat Ceremony welcomes next generation of physicians
For students, the White Coat ceremony heralds the start of medical school. The Ohio State University College of Medicine held it’s ceremony on Monday and distributed just over 200 white coats to incoming learners, a class comprised of talented individuals primed to embrace the calling of the 21st century healer.
Out of 7,014 applicants, the 201 incoming learners were selected to join the college because of their varied personal backgrounds and experience and outstanding professional and academic resumes.
As in year’s past, the crop of medical students is diverse — 53% of the class is female and 22% are from groups underrepresented in medicine. Entrants’ undergraduate degrees span a range of majors from biomedical science and pharmacology to international relations and environmental studies. The varied collection of disciplines will bring unique perspectives to the classroom and the clinical setting. The diversity of personal backgrounds is evidenced as well by the variety of professions represented by students who are data analysts, medical scribes, COVID-19 screeners, athletic trainers and pharmacy technicians.
Admission standards for the Ohio State College of Medicine reflect the school’s academic excellence. The rigorous dedication and commitment of its incoming medical students can be seen in admission statistics, with students averaging a 514 MCAT score and 3.81 class GPA.
For these individuals, the Ohio State College of Medicine’s annual White Coat Ceremony marks the end of the undergraduate era and the beginning of a journey to becoming a physician.
The entering class of future physicians gathered in the Wexner Center for the Arts’ Mershon Auditorium to soak in the valuable insight imparted by Carol R. Bradford, MD, MS, FACS, dean of the Ohio State College of Medicine.
“No matter your motivation to attend medical school, you are doing so to pursue a profession that is truly a calling rather than a job,” said Dr. Bradford. “Your time here will be challenging and at the same time, tremendously rewarding. You are the future of health care and you will make a difference.”
Jennifer McCallister, MD, associate dean of Medical Education at the Ohio State College of Medicine, also inspired the students with details on why the presentation of the white coat is a symbolic tradition, one which illustrates challenge and commitment.
“This white coat…should be more than a uniform in your eyes,” said Dr. McCallister. “It illustrates our commitment to compassionate care, a willingness to walk the lifelong journey of learning and a promise to uphold the ideals of health and wellness in society.”
Following the speeches, medical students eagerly filed across the stage to don the coat that represents one of the most important roles of their lives. Soon, these students will immerse themselves in the Ohio State College of Medicine’s innovative curriculum, world-class research and unsurpassed patient care.
