2017 White Coat Ceremony

A rite of passage. The symbol of a profession.

Washington University School of Medicine
welcomes the entering class of 2017.

Watch replay of the livestream video  |  View event program (pdf)

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Who is the incoming class of MD students?

First-year MD students include cooks and composers, dancers and doodlers, athletes, adventurers and
aficionados of hot sauce. See the class’s self-reported talents »

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Student Oath

Written by the entering class of 2017.

I commit myself from this day forward 
to the medical profession.

I pledge that:

I will make my patient my foremost consideration as I strive to promote health and quality of life through education, prevention, and care;

I will value the trust my patients place in me and endeavor to build that trust through  compassion, honesty, and excellence;

I will recognize, seek to understand, and respect each patient’s individuality and autonomy;

I will educate and empower my patients and their families to make choices that honor their values and beliefs;

I will listen to my patients so that I may learn how to best serve them.

I pledge that:

I will embrace my humanity and care for myself in order to best care for others;

I will recognize my limitations, act within my capabilities, and seek assistance from my colleagues;

I will navigate medicine’s complexity with my best judgment, hold myself accountable for my actions, and seek forgiveness;

I pledge that:

I will dedicate myself to a lifetime of learning, teaching, and advancing the art and science  of medicine;

I will serve my profession with integrity and empathy;

I will respect the unique contributions of all members of the healthcare team;

I will mentor and teach others, as others mentor and teach me;

I pledge that:

I will champion equitable, sustainable, and quality health care for all people;

I will be cognizant of my biases and privileges and work to mitigate their effects on my patient care;

I will challenge injustices, recognize my duty in a larger society, and advocate for change.

I am humbled by this opportunity and appreciate those who have supported me on my journey.

May I hold fast to the ideals and passion 
with which I take this pledge.

This oath I make freely and upon my honor.

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Snapshots

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