White Coat Ceremony August 12

Creighton’s incoming medical class of 2009 will receive their white coats in a ceremony on August 12, 2005 at 12:30 p.m. in Witherspoon Hall at the Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge Street. The White Coat Ceremony is the culmination of a three-day orientation during which first-year students learn about opportunities for community service, stress management tips and hear from faculty-physicians about Creighton’s holistic approach to medicine, treating the patient’s body, mind and spirit.

In addition to receiving their white coats, the students recite the Student Physician’s Oath with School of Medicine Dean, Cam E. Enarson, M.D., M.B.A. The white coat then becomes a daily reminder of the Oath to give their lives and talents to the service of humanity. The White Coat Ceremony was established by Arnold P. Gold, M.D., at Columbia University to foster humanism in medicine, and emphasizes the importance of compassionate care for the patient as well as scientific proficiency. Creighton has been celebrating the White Coat Ceremony since 1997.

Creighton’s School of Medicine has a tradition of community service. In 2004, Creighton medical students started the Magis Medical Clinic, the only medical clinic and referral service for the area’s homeless men, women and families available during weekend hours. Although community service is not part of Creighton’s School of Medicine curriculum, for the past several years, 100 percent of Creighton’s medical school students have participated in some form of volunteer activity.