MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY:
Pitt School of Medicine to Hold 18th Annual White Coat Ceremony
WHAT: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine 18th Annual White Coat Ceremony
WHO: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine faculty, students and their families
WHEN: 3 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 5
WHERE: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Scaife Hall, Lecture Rooms 5 and 6, 3550 Terrace St., Oakland
WHY: The White Coat Ceremony is a symbolic event marking the entry of first-year students into the medical profession. At the ceremony, the 148 students of the Class of 2017 will be individually garbed in a white clinician’s coat and publicly declare their commitment to integrity, ethical behavior and honor by reciting the Hippocratic Oath.
The incoming class is 54 percent male and 46 percent female. The students are from 31 states, including 23 percent from Pennsylvania.
The keynote speaker for the event is Susan Dunmire, M.D., Class of 1985 and executive director, University of Pittsburgh Medical Alumni Association. Joan Harvey, M.D., associate dean, Student Affairs, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, will present the white coats.
Other presenters include:
John F. Mahoney, M.D., Class of 1990 and associate dean, Medical Education, will preside and provide a welcome to the Class of 2016; Brian Klatt, M.D., Class of 1997, will lead the class in reciting the Hippocratic Oath; and Melissa McNeil, M.D., Class of 1980, will provide the closing remarks.
Coating on stage will be done by: Jan Madison, M.D., Class of 1985, assisted by medical student, Kyle Jackson, Class of 2013; Samuel Tisherman, M.D., Class of 1985, assisted by medical student, Katherine Hoyson, Class of 2013; and Beth Piraino, M.D., associate dean, Admissions and Financial Aid, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, assisted by medical student, Dev Patel, Class of 2013.
The Medical Alumni Association proudly donates the white coats to the incoming students as they become part of the School of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh.
About the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
As one of the nation’s leading academic centers for biomedical research, the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine integrates advanced technology with basic science across a broad range of disciplines in a continuous quest to harness the power of new knowledge and improve the human condition. Driven mainly by the School of Medicine and its affiliates, Pitt has ranked among the top 10 recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health since 1997. In rankings recently released by the National Science Foundation, Pitt ranked fifth among all American universities in total federal science and engineering research and development support.
Likewise, the School of Medicine is equally committed to advancing the quality and strength of its medical and graduate education programs, for which it is recognized as an innovative leader, and to training highly skilled, compassionate clinicians and creative scientists well-equipped to engage in world-class research. The School of Medicine is the academic partner of UPMC, which has collaborated with the University to raise the standard of medical excellence in Pittsburgh and to position health care as a driving force behind the region’s economy. Visit the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine website for more information.