NEWS
As faculty members helped first-year medical students into crisp white coats, the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine Class of 2030 crossed an important threshold. The annual White Coat Ceremony marked the beginning of their journey from aspiring doctors to future physicians, symbolizing the trust, compassion and responsibility that come with caring for patients.
The 214-member class – the largest in the college’s history – includes 180 students in Oklahoma City and 37 in Tulsa.
“The white coat is one of the most recognizable symbols of any profession,” said Ian Dunn, M.D., executive dean of the OU College of Medicine, “and the White Coat Ceremony is a tradition observed at medical schools all around the world. It formally welcomes you into the profession of medicine and symbolizes your commitment to its principles, standards and enduring values.”
College of Medicine faculty members cloaked students by modules – the small learning communities that will become their academic home during the first two years of medical school. Each group of students studies together, shares dedicated space and builds close relationships throughout the preclinical curriculum.
The ceremony also represents the College of Medicine’s dedication to meeting Oklahoma’s healthcare workforce needs. The college is incrementally increasing its enrollment by 40% to address the critical demand for additional physicians. Ultimately, the class will number 232 students.
David Teague, M.D., chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, served as the keynote speaker for the event. He challenged students to embrace both the privilege and responsibility of becoming physicians.
“We proudly admitted you, but you still had to choose us,” Teague said. “We will reward that confidence with innovative, professional instruction. You must take ownership of your progress, but we will partner with you. You signed on for amazing experiences and unlimited opportunity. The privilege is immeasurable. How you curate it matters greatly.”
For Tya Logan, the moment she received her white coat represented the fulfillment of a dream years in the making. Before entering medical school, she worked as a flight paramedic for 10 years, most recently with OU Health Air Kids One. Caring for critically ill patients and their families taught Logan the importance of clear communication and of being a calm, trustworthy presence during some of their most difficult moments.
Logan has been interested in cardiology since she was young. Her mother worked as a cardiac nurse, and as a teenager, Logan pored over her mother’s textbooks, even teaching herself how to read EKGs. She now hopes to become a pediatric cardiologist, combining her fascination with the heart and her passion for caring for children.
“Getting my white coat made it seem real, like I’m finally going to be a doctor,” she said.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university with campuses in Norman, Oklahoma City and Tulsa. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. In Oklahoma City, the OU Health Campus is one of the nation’s few academic health centers with seven health profession colleges located on the same campus. The OU Health Campus serves approximately 4,000 students in more than 70 undergraduate and graduate degree programs spanning Oklahoma City and Tulsa and is the leading research institution in Oklahoma. For more information about the OU Health Campus, visit www.ouhsc.edu.
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