Class of 2029 Takes First Step into Medicine

One of the longstanding traditions for new medical students is the White Coat Ceremony, an event that symbolizes their entrance into the medical profession. On July 14, students from the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, including 32 from the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, gathered at Severance Music Center to receive their white physician coats.

This year’s ceremony featured keynote speaker Wael Barsoum, MD, President and Chief Transformation Officer for the Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company, who spoke about health equity and the importance of healthcare access for all.

Following the keynote address, the students received their white coat and together recited the Oath of Professionalism that they collectively wrote.

We are delighted to welcome the Class of 2029 to the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, and we look forward to being a part of all they accomplish over the next five years.

Oath of Professionalism:

We, the entering class of 2024, make the following promises:

• We promise to hold each other to high professional standards that inspire trust and respect in our patients and colleagues.
• We promise to serve and empower our patients through humanistic care.
• We promise to safeguard human dignity by treating each patient with empathy and compassion.
• We promise to promote justice and equity for our diverse patient populations by advocating for individuals and communities.
• We promise to research, innovate, and uphold lifelong learning to pioneer evidence-based medicine.
• We promise to embrace interprofessional collaboration and unique perspectives.
• We promise to protect and nurture our wellbeing to deliver the highest quality patient care.

We will prioritize compassion in caring for all patients, regardless of background. As future physicians, we will use our privilege to advocate for justice in healthcare and advance the profession of medicine.

Photo credit: Andrew Jordan Photography