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THE UNLV SCHOOL OF MEDICINE'S FIRST WHITE COAT CEREMONY

On August 25, 2017 the inaugural class of the UNLV School of Medicine participated in the school's first White Coat Ceremony. Although this article touches on the history and ceremony of the white coat, it is really an article about hope and triumph.

Any telling of the UNLV White Coat Ceremony could invoke the names of many, many people. There were countless individuals present who had tirelessly supported the School. This included members of the State's Board of Regents (with particular nods to James Dean Leavitt, Kevin Page, and Dr. Mark Doubrava), the Community Engagement Board, the Honorable Harry Reid, Assemblyman Paul Anderson, and President Len Jessup. Even with this stellar platform party, I think we would all agree that at its essence, the event was about the students, and about Founding Dean Barbara Atkinson.

The UNLV School of Medicine inaugural students receive their White Coats and take their formal oaths to mark the beginning of their next four years.

Hope for a new generation of physicians

As noted by Dr. Sam Parrish, UNLV's Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions, the white coat has eclipsed the black physician's bag and stethoscope as a symbol of the profession. Today, we view the white coat as more than an embodiment of scientific knowledge and skill; it represents the care and compassion that patients expect to receive from their doctors. In recent years the donning of the white coat as a ceremonial welcome to the profession has taken hold in medical education, but it has not always been this way.

In 1993 the first White Coat Ceremony was held at Columbia University's College of Physicians. Sponsored by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, ceremonies such as ours strive to emphasize the importance of humanism to the education and practice of medicine today. Each white coat carried an Arnold P. Gold Foundation lapel pin to serve as a daily reminder that patient care is both a privilege and a responsibility, and that students are expected to adhere to the highest ethical and professional standards throughout their educations and careers. As noted by Regent Kevin Page, our "students took the first steps in what is without question one of the most important moments in the history of Las Vegas, southern Nevada and the entire state of Nevada." The thundering applause of the more than 500 family members, friends, and supporters acknowledged the importance of what was happening.

Hope and triumph for Founding Dean
Dr. Barbara Atkinson

This story has two elements. The first encompasses the fact that the UNLV School of Medicine's White Coat Ceremony was Dean Atkinson's first public appearance in over a month. Her recovery from an illness had kept her sidelined, while the new medical students worked through the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) Immersion course. When she came on stage and spoke to the class it brought forth a profound sense of joy and gratitude. That day was one she had labored towards for three years, and she was finally able to see the culmination of her efforts.

The second element is this triumph of Dean Atkinson in bringing a public medical school into existence for Southern Nevada. The ceremony was a wonderful celebration, and none of it would have been possible without the selfless dedication and endless work of Dean Atkinson. Liz Groesbeck, the inaugural Class President, said it beautifully: "The launch of the UNLV School of Medicine was undoubtedly a group effort, and we are grateful to everyone who took part, from our professors and community leaders to our scholarship donors and state officials. But we as a class would like to take this time to thank Dean Atkinson specifically."

The ceremony and this article will end the same way: with the student oath. This is the promise they make to themselves and to our community, and it is worth stating for us all to hear and remember. The oath starts, "On my honor, I take this oath with great reverence as I embark on my lifelong journey as a physician. I am privileged to be a member of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine Inaugural Class and commit myself to the medical profession before those who have supported me and made this moment possible." Indeed.