KU School of Medicine welcomed class of 2029 with the annual White Coat Ceremony
Following a week of orientation and introductions, 211 students began their journeys in medicine.
This week marks the beginning of a lifelong journey for 211 students at the University of Kansas School of Medicine as they take their first steps toward a career as a physician.
While 82% of the incoming students are Kansans, the students hail from 19 different states and 67 different undergraduate colleges and universities. Their interests are broad, as they had 66 different undergraduate majors, from biochemistry to business, education and ecology.
The week began with a grand welcome broadcast to the students on all three campuses of KU School of Medicine in Kansas City, Wichita and Salina. Speakers included the school’s executive dean, Akinlolu Ojo, M.D., Ph.D., and the campus deans, Laura Tatpati, M.D., in Wichita and Scott Owings, M.D., in Salina.
“As you embark on this great professional journey, I want to reiterate to you that you have made the best decision by choosing the University of Kansas for your medical education,” Ojo told students. “The accomplished faculty, highly committed staff, school administrators and alumni work tirelessly to ensure that your education and training on our three campuses constitute an outstanding and wholesome experience that is gratifying and surpasses expectations.”
— Kansas City, Salina and Wichita — performed
community service and team-building activities
during a week-long orientation.
Throughout the week, students learned about the curriculum and student services while also discussing compliance issues and logistics. Students also engaged in a variety of activities on their individual campuses, from community service projects to team-building exercises as they learned more about their classmates, faculty members and the communities in Kansas where they are beginning their journeys.
On Friday, the students gathered with their families and friends at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas, for the traditional white coat ceremony that marks the beginning of an incoming student’s medical career. The students were cloaked in their white coats, a recognized symbol of the profession of medicine.
During the ceremony, each student also received a pin representing one of eight medical alumni societies, took the Oath of Commitment to the profession and signed the Honor Code Book.
The keynote speaker for the event was Andrew Pirotte, M.D., assistant professor of emergency medicine and assistant dean of student affairs at KU School of Medicine — and a KU School of Medicine alum. He was the winner of this year’s Rainbow Award, which is the highest and most prestigious award bestowed by KU medical students on faculty members. Pirotte encouraged the students to focus on their purpose as they walk the path of medicine.
in Kansas this week, receiving a personalized white coat
and a pin representing one of eight medical alumni societies.
“Embrace your purpose; outcomes will vary,” he said. “You are medicine’s future. I believe in this calling, and I believe in you.”
The ceremony closing was provided by Steven W. Stites, M.D., executive vice chancellor of the University of Kansas Medical Center. Stites still serves patients as a pulmonologist at The University of Kansas Health System. He encouraged students to find joy in their practice of medicine.
“I’m grateful for a career in medicine. Every day, you have the ability to change a life — through hope, through diagnosis, through healing, through touch, through being a physician. I hope one day you are as grateful as I am that you get to do the best job ever.”
Stites added “You look really good in those white coats, now go do good and be grateful.”