Dressed for Success

White coat and honor code ceremony initiates medical school class of 2014.

August 25, 2010

student receiving white coat on stage

By Anna Miller

Among GW’s new medical students are former athletes, Peace Corps volunteers and Capitol Hill interns.

The class boasts the highest GPA and MCAT scores ever and, with an average age of 23, is one of the youngest classes in years.

Its 190 members were selected from a competitive pool of 10,500 applicants and hail from 29 states, Washington, D.C., and Canada and represent 80 different undergraduate institutions.

“Each student brings a passion to serve others and their own unique experiences,” says Diane McQuail, assistant dean for admissions.

The class’ medical careers were officially launched during the white coat and honor code ceremony, Aug. 21 in Lisner Auditorium. Held at medical schools around the country, the ceremony welcomes students into the medical community and includes a swearing of the Hippocratic Oath, an oath about medical etiquette traditionally taken by doctors. Students also signed the GW Honor Code, which encourages “ethical and responsible behavior” and “honesty and integrity” in both clinical training and practice.

“The white coat ceremony is a significant milestone in the development of a physician,” says Jim Scott, dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences. “When students receive their white coats, they become part of the profession of medicine and in many ways their lives will change. I have no doubt that the class of 2014 will represent GW and the medical profession honorably.”

The ceremony also featured student and alumni speakers, the presentation of white coats and a slideshow. Keynote speaker Nicole Lurie, assistant secretary for preparedness and response in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services encouraged the students to be doctors not only for patients but also for communities and the country.

Speaking at the ceremony, second-year medical student Jana Freeman challenged the class of 2014 to think of the symbolism of the white coat. “While this white coat is just a physical object, it is also a symbol of the path you have chosen: one of continued learning, great responsibility and incredible reward,” she said.

The ceremony was followed by a reception, during which the class of 2014 proudly modeled their new coats for family members, friends, residents and faculty. “This is a time of celebration and to rejoice on students’ past accomplishments before fully diving into the rigors of medical school,” said Adnan Hussein, second-year medical student and class of 2014 orientation co-chair.