Class of 2029 White Coat Ceremony

Good evening and welcome to the white coat ceremony at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine for the class of 2029. Together, we've been looking forward to this event in which our exceptional students in the class of 2029 formally make a commitment to a career of care and caring. The 39 women and 17 men who make up the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine in class of 2029 and who will receive their white coats today represent 56 incredibly bright, accomplished, and motivated students out of a pool of almost 6,371 applicants. They are here tonight ready to publicly state through the taking of an oath and the symbolism of the white coat that they are committed to this next important step in their quest toward becoming worthy of the title of medical doctor. As you don the white coat for the first time, I want you to remember, this isn't just a tradition. This is a symbol of trust, of service, and of immense privilege. It is the care of another human being. As future physicians, we will adapt to new ideas, approaching every individual with empathy and open-mindedness to ensure patients receive holistic care. We are committed to immersing ourselves within the community to better understand the systems we seek to improve and the unique needs of the patients we serve. By valuing the insights of patients, peers, and mentors, we aspire to grow as scientist physicians. We will collaborate with sincerity and intention to build relationships and practice inclusivity. If you listen with humility, act with integrity, and lead with compassion, you will become the kind of physician that our world desperately needs. On behalf of all of the physicians here today, it is with great pride and abundant expectations that I formally welcome the Virginia Tech Carillion School of Medicine Class of 2029 to our profession.