UK College of Medicine Dean Coats His First Medical Students

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 12, 2011) — The University of Kentucky College of Medicine welcomed the Class of 2015, and a new dean, during the White Coat Ceremony on Friday, Aug. 5, at UK's Singletary Center for the Arts. The ceremony is a significant and meaningful tradition that presents the newest medical students with their first white coats. The presentation of white coats, provided by the UK Medical Alumni Association, symbolizes the commitment to clinical service, care and professionalism.

“The white coat is an important symbol of the medical profession,” said Dr. Frederick C. de Beer, longtime UK faculty member and former chair of the Department of Internal Medicine who was appointed dean of the College of Medicine and vice president for clinical academic affairs on July 1.
 

“It was an honor to participate in this ceremony acknowledging the students’ entrance into the profession. Although the future physicians in the Class of 2015 face many changes in today’s health care environment, I am confident that over the next four years they will become exemplary physicians. We welcome them to the UK College of Medicine family.” 
 

The Class of 2015 includes 113 medical students, 87 of which are Kentuckians and 45 are from rural and Appalachian counties. The class is 40 percent women.

Ten students from this class will be participating in the Rural Physician Leadership Program. This program works to better serve the Commonwealth by training future physicians in medically underserved rural areas through regional medical school sites, one serving the Eastern area of the state in Morehead, Ky., and one in the Western Kentucky Purchase Area.

Taking the "Pledge of Professionalism for Students of Medicine" during the ceremony, the students committed themselves to a life of compassion and respect for their patients, educators and colleagues.

“Through the education you receive here, you will, in turn, improve the lives of countless patients,” said Dr. Carol Elam, UK College of Medicine associate dean for admissions and institutional advancement. “To serve society in such a manner is indeed a privilege. From this point forward, we celebrate not your personal accomplishments, but rather the responsibilities you agree to shoulder as a physician:  to provide competent and compassionate care to your patients, and to expand the boundaries of medical knowledge.”

Media Contact:  Kristi Lopez, (859) 323-6363 or kristi.lopez@uky.edu