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New York Medical College School of Medicine Welcomes 200 Entering Students at White Coat Ceremony

“The White Coat Ceremony is one of the most anticipated early career milestones along a doctor’s path,"

Date: July 31, 2015
Media Contact:

Jennifer Riekert, M.B.A.
Vice President of Communications
New York Medical College
(914) 594-4552
Jennifer_Riekert@nymc.edu

Before the start of classes, New York Medical College’s entering medical students commemorate the beginning of their careers by donning the physician’s white coat.

Valhalla, N.Y., July 31, 2015—New York Medical College (NYMC) today welcomed 200 new medical students with a gathering of friends and families on campus for the Class of 2019 White Coat Ceremony. Each year, before the start of classes, New York Medical College’s entering medical students commemorate the beginning of their careers by donning the physician’s white coat – a widely recognized symbol of the medical profession.

Created by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation in 1993, a White Coat Ceremony – during which the coats are distributed – is celebrated at almost all medical schools in the United States, as well as in 13 other countries.

“The White Coat Ceremony is one of the most anticipated early career milestones along a doctor’s path, as it marks the beginning of a medical student’s transformation into a professional,” said D. Douglas Miller, M.D., C.M., M.B.A., dean of the School of Medicine. “As these young doctors prepare for their careers in medicine, we remind them that at the forefront of treatment is humanism. We look forward to educating our new class of incoming students and seeing their future accomplishments and successes.”

During the ceremony, students were addressed by Dr. Miller,who reflected upon NYMC’s values and the profession to the entering students. Each student was personally cloaked with the white coat by individuals who believe in the students' ability to carry on the noble tradition of doctoring as a personally-delivered gift of faith, confidence and compassion. Students then recited the medical student oath, which represents their public acknowledgment of the responsibilities of the profession and their willingness to assume such obligation.

A lapel pin, embossed with the words Humanism in Medicineand The Arnold P. Gold Foundation’s heart shaped stethoscope logo, was presented to each student as a gift from the foundation. It is a reminder, throughout their medical education and beyond, of their White Coat Ceremony and oath they have taken to treat their patients and colleagues with dignity, respect and compassion.

About New York Medical College
Founded in 1860, NYMC is one of the oldest and largest health sciences universities in the country with more than 1,400 students, 1,300 residents and clinical fellows, nearly 3,000 faculty members, and 16,000 living alumni. The College, which joined the Touro College and University System in 2011, is located in Westchester County, New York, and offers advanced degrees from the School of Medicine, the Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences, and the School of Health Sciences and Practice. The College manages more than $36 million in research and other sponsored programs, notably in the areas of cancer, cardiovascular disease, infectious diseases, kidney disease, the neurosciences, disaster medicine, and vaccine development. With a network of affiliated hospitals that includes large urban medical centers, small suburban clinics and high-tech regional tertiary care facilities, NYMC provides a wide variety of clinical training opportunities throughout the tri-state region for medical students, residents, and other health providers.

About The Arnold P. Gold Foundation
The Arnold P. Gold Foundation is an international not-for-profit organization with the critical mission of optimizing the experience and outcomes of health care for both patients and practitioners by promoting care that is as humane as it is technologically sophisticated. The Foundation works with physicians in training and in practice, as well as other members of the healthcare team, to instill a culture of respect, dignity and compassion for patients and practitioners.