Class of 2021 Welcomed at White Coat Ceremony

The Class of 2021 took a symbolic step from students to student doctors last month at the annual white coat ceremony, which represents the responsibilities and rewards of caring for patients.

"The white coat, which you are receiving today...is a symbol of knowledge, trust respect and tradition,'' Dean Cecile A. Feldman explained at the ceremony. "Many people look at a white coat with awe. It embodies all that is good in humanity...As a health care professional, patients will entrust you...to care for their most sacred possession, their own well-being. Unequivocally, you must put their well-being above your own.''

The tradition of distributing white coats to first-year students, stitched with their name, started over a decade ago at RSDM, but has been a mainstay for medical students for many years. RSDM became the first dental school in the nation to hold a white coat ceremony in 2001, according to Vice-Dean Dr. Kim Fenesy.

At the ceremony, Dean Feldman shared some details about the class demographic: Members come from 20 countries and speak a collective total of 30 different languages. Fifty five students have  parents or other relatives who are dentists and eight have relatives who are Rutgers alumni.

Students, who received their white coats before an audience of family and friends, recited the RSDM honor and the dental oath. Also at the ceremony the Student Professionalism Award was given to fourth-year students, Nmandi Anosike and Michael Israel. This is the first year it's been awarded to two students

Earlier, Dean Feldman shared a story about her first white coat in anatomy class. "I remembered being both honored and humbled when I received my first white coat,'' she recalled. "What struck me ..was that I was entrusted with learning the essence of the human body..I also remember the first time I saw a patient with my white coat on. Even though I had no experience, my patient automatically felt secure, that they would receive the best care, and they they trusted my judgement. Just by virtue that I had my white coat on.''

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