White Coats Represent New Beginning for UK College of Medicine Class of 2018

Prior to medical school, members of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine Class of 2018 were chemists, Americorp volunteers, engineers, waiters, musicians, class leaders and archeologists. But the moment they were coated at the Singletary Center of the Arts on Aug. 1, the 136 students were all dedicated to becoming doctors. Members of a diverse and highly accomplished incoming class of medical students were presented with their white coat, a universal symbol of compassion and humanism in medicine, during the White Coat Ceremony. Dr. Frederick C. de Beer, dean and vice president for clinical academic affairs, delivered a keynote address about the current challenges in the medical profession. After being "coated" by a UK faculty member, the group recited the Pledge of Professionalism with Dr. Chipper Griffith, senior associate dean for medical education. The incoming class represents 22 states and 15 countries, with 92 students hailing from Kentucky and 43 students holding degrees from the University of Kentucky. The students' cumulative GPA was 3.70 and most had received an undergraduate degree in biological sciences. Ten students in the class are participating in the Rural Physician Leadership Program. The students were selected from 2,347 applicants and more than 400 interviewees vying for seats in the Class of 2018. The White Coat Ceremony is supported by the UK Medical Alumni Association. MEDIA CONTACT: Elizabeth Adams, elizabethadams@uky.edu; (859) 940-8104