{"id":12361,"date":"2019-10-08T16:32:14","date_gmt":"2019-10-08T20:32:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/geiselmed.dartmouth.edu\/news\/?p=12361"},"modified":"2019-10-08T16:32:14","modified_gmt":"2019-10-08T20:32:14","slug":"geisel-school-of-medicine-celebrates-iconic-white-coat-ritual","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/geiselmed.dartmouth.edu\/news\/2019\/geisel-school-of-medicine-celebrates-iconic-white-coat-ritual\/","title":{"rendered":"Geisel School of Medicine Celebrates Iconic White Coat Ritual"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
The Class of '23 (Photo by Rob Strong)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On October 5, members of the Geisel School of Medicine Class of 2023 were welcomed into the profession of medicine during the school\u2019s annual White Coat ceremony\u2014an important ritual for first-year medical students.<\/p>\n

Roshini Pinto-Powell, MD, associate dean of admissions and associate professor of medicine and of medical education, welcomed the first-year medical students on behalf of the Geisel community. The White Coat is the most recognized symbol in medicine representing the bond of trust between those who wear it and their patients. In reminding them of the physical and figurative importance of the coat they will soon wear, and to remember why they are here, she read a brief poem by Howard Stein, MD, reflecting that symbolism.<\/p>\n

Extending the warm welcome to those gathered, Dean Duane Compton, PhD, encouraged students to reflect on what they\u2019ve accomplished in the two months since orientation and to know, \u201cWe are on this path with you\u2014we are walking beside you and guiding you.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of Geisel\u2019s ceremonial traditions is for second-year medical students to send a representative from their class to welcome and share their perspective and advice with the newest class. This year, Leslie Yuen \u201922, shared her thoughts about practicing kindness and gratitude not only toward patients, but themselves.<\/p>\n

And this year, Joanne M. Conroy, MD (D \u201977), CEO and president of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health, shared a personal story about the meaning of humanism in medicine.<\/p>\n

Another tradition in addition to these words of welcome and wisdom, are notes tucked into the pocket of each white coat from Geisel alumni welcoming students into the profession of medicine.<\/p>\n

The Class of 2023 is Geisel\u2019s 223nd MD class since its founding in 1797.<\/p>\n

If you missed this event, you can watch it here:<\/p>\n


\n