Class of 2028 Participates in White Coat Ceremony

On Sunday, July 16, students from the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine gathered at Severance Hall to participate in the longstanding tradition of the White Coat Ceremony. Of the 216 medical students who were presented with white coats, 32 were from the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University.

The White Coat Ceremony represents a medical student’s entrance into the medical profession. This year’s ceremony featured keynote speaker Stephanie Teal, MD, the Arthur H. Bill Professor and Chair of Reproductive Biology, and Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Dr. Teal spoke to the students about the immense power and privilege a doctor’s white coat symbolizes.

Following the keynote address, the students made their way forward to receive their white coat and to, together, recite the Oath of Professionalism that they collectively wrote.

We are delighted to welcome the Class of 2028 to the Lerner College of Medicine, and we look forward to seeing all they accomplish over the next five years.

Oath of Professionalism:

We, the entering class of twenty twenty-three, humbly undertake the lifelong study of medicine and the pursuit of mastery.

The sacred trust of our patients is built upon confidentiality and respect.

• We vow to create supportive environments,
• Treat our patients with dignity,
• Respect patient autonomy,
• And empower patients to make informed decisions.

Empathy lies at the core of our profession. We recognize patients come to us at a time of great need.

• We will listen to our patients with open hearts,
• Walk alongside them,
• And do no harm.

We will hold ourselves and our peers accountable.

• We promise to foster a growth mindset,
• Be receptive to critical feedback,
• Learn from our mistakes,
• And be willing to ask for help.

We will lead as physician advocates

• To empower patients and communities,
• Advance health equity and social justice,
• And challenge the status quo.

We are grateful to practice the art of healing.

We pledge to innovate through research and advocacy for our patients.

We vow to build our identities as physicians upon these principles.

Photo credit: Daniel Milner Photography