Starting medical school is a momentous occasion, one that deserves celebration and a moment to consider the importance of the journey ahead. On July 30, 2020, the School of Medicine came together to commit the class of 2024 to a meaningful career with a white coat ceremony.
This year’s white coat celebration was a little different due to the pandemic. Students and faculty wore masks and practiced social distancing. Friends and family members were not able to attend the ceremony but tuned in from around the world to watch via livestream.
The white coat ceremony opened with prayer, followed by an address by Nephtali R. Gomez ’04, assistant professor of surgery at the School of Medicine. His address was called “Three Things Every Patient Will Want From You,” which are respect, compassion, and competence. He used an artful combination of stories, quotes, and wisdom gained through decades of being a physician to make the case why these three virtues are essential to being a good doctor and a good person.