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MD White Coat Ceremony

White Coat Ceremony
October 18, 2024
whitecoat.wustl.edu


The White Coat Ceremony is the culmination of an intensive orientation program that welcomes incoming medical students to Washington University and the medical profession.

In this video series, incoming medical students share what inspired them to wear a white coat. See more videos and photos »


The symbol of a profession

At the White Coat Ceremony, incoming students receive their white coats from School of Medicine faculty members, then take an oath — one they have written as a class — pledging honesty and integrity in their practice of medicine. Family and friends are invited to witness as students take their first symbolic step into the medical profession.

The White Coat Ceremony at Washington University is supported in part by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, which works with students and professionals to instill a culture of humanism in medicine. Humanism in medicine is characterized by respect, dignity and compassion for patients, with sensitivity to the diverse values and backgrounds of others.

Photos and stories

Select a year below to see photos, videos and more stories from past White Coat Ceremonies.

2023 White Coat Ceremony