The McGovern Medical School Classes of 2024 and 2025 received their white coats in a pair of ceremonies on May 5 and 6, 2022, at the Wendel D. Ley Track and Holloway Field on the campus of Rice University. The ceremony returned after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are truly elated that we were finally able to safely host this White Coat Ceremony for our first- and second year students,” said LaTanya Love, MD, dean of education ad interim. “This ceremony is a great reminder of the responsibility that comes with being a physician. Our students each sign the ethical pledge and recite the Hippocratic Oath. We look forward to sharing this milestone with our students.”

Generally taking place among the initial days of orientation, the White Coat Ceremony welcomes students to health care practice and shows the value of humanism at its core.

Incoming students hear from guest speakers before receiving white coats with the McGovern Medical School logo that were provided by alumni and friends. Students then participate in the most important element of the ceremony, the Hippocratic Oath, which acknowledges a central obligation of caring for patients. Brené Brown, PhD, research professor and Huffington Foundation Endowed Chair at the University of Houston, served as the commencement speaker. The author of six No. 1 New York Times bestsellers and host of two award-winning Spotify podcasts, she provided insight and guidance for our graduates as they embarked on the next chapter of their medical careers.

Since 2018, the McGovern Medical School Alumni Association has rallied to raise funds needed to purchase white coats for the next class of medical students. This year, our goal is to raise $18,000 for 240 white coats. Each gift of support launches the career of a medical student in the best possible way. A white coat that is funded by donors like you is a symbolic vote of confidence for these students as they begin their medical careers.

Table of Contents »