White Coat

Today was Steve's white coat ceremony. What is that, you ask?

"The white coat ceremony (WCC) is a relatively new ritual in some medical, veterinary medical, podiatric, optometry and pharmacy schools that marks the student's transition from the study of preclinical to clinical health sciences. At some schools, where students begin meeting patients early in their education, the white coat ceremony is held before the first year begins.
WCCs typically involve a formal "robing" or "cloaking" of students in white coats, the garb physicians have traditionally worn for over 100 years and other health professions have adopted." (thanks wikipedia)

So, today, after sitting through a VERY long convocation and ceremony... Steve was dressed in his white coat!

He now looks like a real med student. He will be starting school on Monday.

I am so proud of Steve and this great accomplishment of becoming a medical student. I know these next years won't be easy, but I know that he will do well and I look forward to the journey that awaits us. He's such a cute little doctor-to-be!

After they were "cloaked" in their white coats, all the students stated their pledge of ethics. I don't really expect you to read it, but for anyone who is interested (and for my own record keeping) this is what it said:

Medical Student Pledge of Ethics
I publicly acknowledge and accept the privileges and responsibilities given to me today as a physician in training and dedicate myself to provide care to those in need.
I will approach all aspects of my education with honesty and integrity, embracing opportunities to learn from patients, teachers, and colleagues.
I will always maintain the highest standards of professional conduct.
I will certify only that which I have personally verified, and I will neither receive nor give unauthorized assistance on examinations.
I will value the knowledge and wisdom of the physicians who have preceded me.
I will recognize my weaknesses and strengths and strive to develop those qualities that will earn the respect of my patients, my colleagues, my family, and myself.
I will respect eh humanity, right and decisions of all patients and will attend to them with compassion and without bias.
I will maintain patient confidentiality and be tactful in my words and actions.
I will value the diversity of patients' experiences, cultures and beliefs because it enhances my ability to care for them and enriches my education.
I will not forget that there is an art to medicine as well as a science and that warmth, sympathy and understanding are integral to patient care.
I will strive to earn the trust my patients place in me and the respect that society places upon my profession.
I will recognize the privileges afforded to me as a physician-in-training and promise not to abuse them.
Even as a student I have a responsibility to improve the standard of health in my community, to increase access to care for the underserved and to advance medical knowledge.
As I accept these new responsibilities, I will not forget the importance of my own health and well-being.
I will continue to value my relations with those who have supported me in the past and those who will share in my future.
Knowing my own limitations and those of medicine, I commit myself to a lifelong journey of learning how to cure, relieve and comfort with humility and compassion.
I make these promises solemnly, freely, and upon my honor.