{"id":176286,"date":"2021-08-23T09:28:42","date_gmt":"2021-08-23T13:28:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=176286"},"modified":"2023-06-27T12:59:58","modified_gmt":"2023-06-27T16:59:58","slug":"uconn-medical-and-dental-students-don-their-first-white-coats-at-annual-ceremony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2021\/08\/uconn-medical-and-dental-students-don-their-first-white-coats-at-annual-ceremony\/","title":{"rendered":"UConn Medical and Dental Students Don their First White Coats at Annual Ceremony"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the 1997 sci-fi movie, Men In Black<\/em>, Agent J, played by Will Smith, is told by his boss, Zed, portrayed by Rip Torn, that the black suit he\u2019s being handed is \u201cthe last suit you\u2019ll ever wear.\u201d While the coats handed out on Friday, Aug. 20 to 110 students from UConn\u2019s School of Medicine and to 52 School of Dental Medicine students won\u2019t be the last they\u2019ll ever wear, they certainly will wear white coats for many years to come. These iconic garments are emblematic of the journey each student is taking, the commitment they have made, the support they\u2019ll receive from their respective medical programs at UConn, and their future careers.<\/p>\n

The two ceremonies, held in Keller Auditorium on the Farmington campus, were streamed live for family, friends and the UConn community, and were recorded for those who couldn\u2019t watch it live. The students were praised by Dr. Bruce T. Liang, dean of the School of Medicine, Dr. Steven M. Lepowsky, dean of the School of Dental Medicine, and several guest, faculty, and alumni speakers.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is yet another milestone in your journey, which I am sure you will always remember and treasure,\u201d Liang said. \u201cYou are drawn to this selfless and altruistic profession to care for the ill. As we are still in the Covid-19 pandemic, your calling has a special meaning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"UConn
UConn School of Medicine Dean Dr. Bruce T. Liang (Tina Encarnacion \/ UConn Health Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Liang spoke to the challenges of dealing with the pandemic, and how faculty and students played important and selfless roles in helping out on the front lines. He also addressed the significant learning curve facing students, and the importance of diversity at UConn.<\/p>\n

\u201cBiomedical knowledge in aggregate nearly doubles every 73 days,\u201d Liang observed. \u201cThere will be more for you to learn, changes, new diagnostics, drugs, therapies. But one thing that will be constant is that your patients will always appreciate your compassion and empathy. At the SOM,\u201d he added, \u201cwe have continued to teach and strengthen diversity, equity and inclusion among medical students and in our graduate medical education. While the science of medicine will evolve and continue to develop, the art of practicing medicine has not and will not change.\u201d<\/p>\n

In welcoming the dental students, Lepowsky reflected on the School\u2019s competitive reputation and challenging selection criteria.<\/p>\n

\u201cI congratulate the members of the Class of 2025, for not only choosing one of the finest and most rewarding health professions, but for choosing to start your professional career with us,\u201d Lepowsky said. \u201cYou should be very proud of the incredible achievements that you have made on your way here. You represent 52 of the finest, most talented, and accomplished students anywhere \u2013 period. Suffice it to say that for each and every member of the Class of 2025, there were 25 other people who wanted the exact seat that you are sitting in right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

The dean spoke about the history of the white coat tradition, which began in 1993 at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. The message communicated at that time, he explained, was that by donning the white coat, individuals agreed to provide the highest standards of ethical care to patients and strive to meet the wellness needs of society.<\/p>\n

\u201cUConn Dental held its first white coat ceremony shortly thereafter in 1997 \u2013 and the message was the same and it holds true today: the white coat is a symbol of the trust society places in you as health care providers \u2013 trust that you will be a lifelong learner, a compassionate and empathetic professional, and an engaged member of the dental community contributing to the well-being of others. This is a great responsibility, but we have tremendous confidence that you are up to the challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n