On Sunday, July 10, students from the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine gathered at Severance Hall to participate in the time-honored tradition of the White Coat Ceremony. Of the 219 medical students who were presented with white coats, 32 were students from the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, also known as the CWRU School of Medicine College Program.
The White Coat Ceremony symbolizes and solidifies a medical student’s entrance into the medical profession. This year’s ceremony featured keynote speaker Mildred “Mimi” Lam, MD, who recounted her own experiences as a medical student and provided advice and inspiration to help steer the group of future physicians to success.
Following the keynote address, the students made their way forward to receive their white coat and together recited the Oath of Professionalism (below) that they collectively wrote.
We are delighted to welcome the Class of 2027 to CCLCM and look forward to seeing all they accomplish over the next five years.
Watch the recording of the White Coat Ceremony.
Oath of Professionalism
To our patients, we vow to respect their humanity, autonomy, and lived experiences; to act as responsible stewards of the information they entrust to us; to empower them to make confident, informed decisions about their care; to remain mindful of the cultures they represent; and to advocate for equitable treatment.
To ourselves, we vow to act with integrity and selflessness; to champion our personal well-being; and to use challenges as opportunities for growth.
To our colleagues, we vow to demonstrate honor and respect; to exercise and expect trustworthiness and accountability; and to foster interprofessional collaboration within the healthcare system.
To our profession, we vow to recognize the great privilege of learning from those who came before us; to perpetually pursue truth, discovery, and innovation; and to take responsibility for the short-comings of our profession.
Finally, to our community, we vow to recognize the biases that impede equitable care; to dismantle systemic injustices in our personal and professional lives; and to foster an environment of open communication between patients, physicians, and communities.
We vow to leave our profession better than we found it.
Photo credit: Daniel Milner Photography
Stan Gerson, MD, Dean and Senior VP for Medical Affairs, CWRU School of Medicine
Mildred “Mimi” Lam, MD, MetroHealth Medical Center
Christine Warren, MD (’09), MS,
Associate Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs, CCLCM
CCLCM student Akua Abrah (left)
