NEWS
OKLAHOMA CITY – On July 18, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences welcomed incoming students from the Colleges of Medicine and Dentistry during a pair of White Coat Ceremonies, celebrating the beginning of their journeys into education and service.
The OU College of Medicine made history with its largest-ever incoming class, as 169 first-year medical students officially donned their white coats. The ceremony, a meaningful rite of passage, symbolizes the students’ entrance into the profession and their commitment to compassionate, ethical care.
“The White Coat Ceremony is a solemn and powerful moment – it marks the beginning of a lifelong responsibility,” said Ian Dunn, M.D., FACS, FAANS, executive dean of the OU College of Medicine. “It signifies our students’ commitment to excellence and professionalism as they begin the serious work of becoming physicians.”
That same day, the OU College of Dentistry welcomed 66 second-year dental students into the profession with its own White Coat Ceremony. The event featured a keynote address by Brett Kessler, D.D.S., president of the American Dental Association, who emphasized the value of patient-centered care and the importance of leadership in the field.
“We are honored to guide this new class as they begin their journey toward a career in dentistry,” said Paul Mullasseril, D.D.S., M.S., dean of the OU College of Dentistry. “The White Coat Ceremony is a reminder that dental education is about more than technical skill – it’s about building trust with our patients and leading with integrity.”
Held annually, the OU College of Dentistry White Coat Ceremony signifies the transition from classroom learning to clinical training. Students receive their white coats before taking an Oath of Commitment, pledging to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and patient care.
This year’s events also reflect OU Health Sciences’ broader commitment to improving access to care and strengthening the state’s health outcomes through education. Many of the students who begin their studies here will go on to serve in communities across Oklahoma, advancing the university’s mission to address health challenges statewide.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
Erin Simpson, Ph.D., assistant vice president for student affairs and assistant dean of students at the University of Oklahoma, has been named a 2026 Annuit Coeptis Senior Professional award recipient by ACPA–College Student Educators International.
University Libraries is accepting applications for its Alternative Textbook Grant program for the 12th year, supporting instructors who use open educational resources and other no-cost course materials to reduce textbook costs for students.
New research from the University of Oklahoma, published today in Cancer Cell, describes for the first time a “triangle regulation theory” of cancer-induced cachexia and anorexia. Cachexia is a muscle-wasting and fat-loss condition that most often occurs in people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
