Friends and family filled the seats of the Tampa Convention Center for the White Coat ceremony for the Class of 2024. The ceremony is traditionally held during the first year of medical school but the COVID-19 pandemic postponed the celebration for the now second-year medical students.

When COVID-19 postponed the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine Class of 2024 White Coat Ceremony last year, that group of medical students pondered if they’d ever get one. On August 24, 2021, at the Tampa Convention Center, USF Health and MCOM leaders, friends and family welcomed the now second-year medical students to their medical school journey, providing them with a time to cite and oath to themselves and their patients.

Among those in attendance was Rhea Law, interim president of the University of South Florida.

Friends and family filled the seats of the Tampa Convention Center to share the moment with the Class of 2024 during their white coat ceremony, which is traditionally held during the first year of medical school. The COVID-19 pandemic postponed the celebration for the now second-year medical students.

Charles Lockwood, MD, MHCM, USF Health senior vice president and MCOM dean, addressed the Class of 2024 medical students, assuring them of the importance of receiving their white coats and reciting their oath, despite the one-year delay.

“The white coat represents a commitment to grit and lifelong learning,” he said to the students. “You must be prepared to keep up with the latest diagnostic tests, imaging techniques, devices, drugs and management paradigms. The passion, determination, grit and perseverance that got you here will get you through.”

Dr. Charles Lockwood, USF Health senior vice president and MCOM dean.

USF Interim President Rhea Law received an honorary white coat from fourth-year medical student Jacob Wasserman. She spent time visiting with students before the ceremony to learn more about why they decided to pursue a career in medicine.

Pres. Rhea Law and Dr. Charles Lockwood (both center) with a group of students before the ceremony.

Pres. Rhea Law chats with students before the MCOM Class of 2024 White Coat Ceremony.

Jacob Wasserman, fourth-year medical student, helps Pres. Rhea Law with her honorary white coat.

Pres. Rhea Law and Jacob Wasserman, fourth-year medical student, after she received an honorary white coat.

Jacob Wasserman, fourth-year medical student, spoke to the students and their families during the ceremony. He reflected on his personal experience having a team of health care providers care for him after he had brain surgery. He said they didn’t just check on his vitals, but also his well-being. “It’s never too early to start making a positive impact on your patient’s care,” he urged his fellow students.

Jacob Wasserman, MCOM fourth-year medical student.

Amy Weiss, MD, associate professor for MCOM Department of Pediatrics, spoke to the group about what it means to wear the white coat. “Wear it with poise and pride. You are entering medical school at a historic time,” she said to the students during her speech.

Dr. Amy Weiss, associate professor in the MCOM Department of Pediatrics.

It’s a tradition in the ceremony for instructors, mentors, and counselors to help put the students’ white coats on their shoulders. In order to adhere to the guidelines of the USF COVID-19 Task Force, students put their own coats on and helped their classmates with theirs.

The white coat ceremony is not complete until the students recite The Oath of Commitment, led by Deborah DeWaay, MD, FACP, associate dean of MCOM’s Undergraduate Medical Education.

It didn’t matter for the students and their families that this ceremony happened a year later, as long as they could celebrate this momentous occasion together.

The USF Health Morsani College of Medicine’s newest students donned their first white coats Aug. 29 during a ceremony at the Tampa Convention Center.  The college and other USF Health leaders officially welcomed the 182 students who will be among the first to occupy the college’s new building when it officially opens in late 2019.

The MCOM Class of 2023 is one of the most competitive in the college’s history.  With more than 5,500 applications, students had less than a 4 percent chance of getting in.  This class attained an average MCAT score of 515, putting them in the 93^rd percentile nationally with an average GPA of 3.76.  Students have a variety of experiences and come from a wide array of backgrounds including the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, black belts in Tae Kwon Do, certified SCUBA divers, a folk and ballet dancer, and college athletes in rugby, tennis, lacrosse and volleyball.

Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, USF Health executive vice president and Morsani College of Medicine dean.

“We are beyond thrilled to have assembled such a distinguished group of brilliant future doctors,” said Charles Lockwood, MD, MHCM, senior vice president of USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine. “We are impressed by your academic achievements and look forward to seeing you leverage this talent for the betterment of humanity.”

Following his remarks, Dr. Lockwood introduced Sally Houston, MD, executive vice president and chief medical officer of Tampa General Hospital, who offered her welcome on behalf of hospital chief executive officer, John Couris.

Sally Houston, MD, Tampa General Hospital executive vice president and chief medical officer.

“This is such an exciting evening. There’s so much energy in this room and you all are starting the next leg of a journey that started a long time ago,” Dr. Houston said. “The work you do with your classmates, the time you spend with them, you’ll make life-long friends during this time.”

The ceremony featured remarks from the MCOM student council president and faculty speakers, and culminated with the class of 2023 reciting the Oath of Commitment, a promise they make as medical students to the health care profession and their patients.

The white coat represents four main ideas for those who wear them: Commitment to scientific inquiry, empirical research and the pursuit of the truth; a commitment to compassion and concern for every patient no matter how difficult or challenging they may be; a commitment to grit and lifelong learning; a commitment to community and giving back.

“You are going to be part of a transformational year. We are working hard to build you a first-class experience in our new Morsani College of Medicine on Water Street.”
– Bryan Bognar, MD, MPH, MCOM chief academic officer, vice dean of the Office of Educational Affairs.

“The next four years will be both exhilarating and exhausting. You will be challenged mentally, physically and emotionally in ways that you’ve never been challenged before. It is an honor and a privilege to care for people as a physician does.”
– Amy Weiss, MD, MPH, MCOM associate professor of pediatrics.

“Today, as you receive your white coat, I want you all to remember why you chose to pursue a career in medicine. Regardless of the reason, hold on them tight and be sure to reflect back on them during your time in medical school.”
– Amy Mickelson, fourth-year medical student, MCOM Student Council president.

Story and photos by Freddie Coleman.  Video by Allison Long