The longest journey begins with a single step, but for first-year students at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, their path toward becoming physicians began with the single, symbolic act of donning a white coat. A simple bit of attire that means so much.
The 102 members of SMD’s Class of 2028 celebrated the start of their medical careers at the 19th annual Robert L. & Lillian H. Brent White Coat Ceremony on Aug. 16. They gathered with faculty, family, and friends at the Larry and Cindy Bloch Alumni and Advancement Center to hear from faculty and fellow students about the challenges and rewards of their chosen career – and to bond as a group of colleagues who will learn from and support each other over the next four years.
SMD received 5,285 applications for approximately 71 spots; another 31 students entered through special matriculating programs.
The Class of ’28 is diverse in gender, ethnicity, backgrounds, life experiences, and talents: 56 members identify as non-Caucasian and 14 are from groups that are historically underrepresented in medicine. Students are from 30 different states of this country; 23 of them were born outside of the U.S. and one is joining from Japan as the newest Levitan Family Endowed Scholar. The class speaks an impressive 24 languages, including American Sign Language.
Class members already have demonstrated a commitment to service by reaching out to traditionally marginalized communities. They have been volunteers for AmeriCorps, Doctors Without Borders, Planned Parenthood, American Red Cross and other organizations. They have worked in inner cities, remote rural areas, and internationally to improve the lives of others. And they have real-life experience delivering medical care; many are EMT- or paramedic-trained or have worked as firefighters, ski patrol medics, or wilderness rescue specialists.
After the ceremony, Muosekalo Ituah said it was an important and reaffirming milestone.
“Putting on the jacket for the first time felt like I’m solidifying a dream that sometimes seemed so far away. I didn’t picture being here in like a million years…there have been a lot of tough obstacles along the way but putting on this white coat is a confirmation of, ‘You deserve to be here, all the hard work that you’ve been through has definitely paid off.’ I’m happy to have my family here to support me in this moment.”
Stevens Bontemps described it as “an amazing feeling. I’ve spent so much time trying to get here; so many people have helped me out on this journey. Getting into college, going through college, graduating, taking the MCAT, doing all the extracurriculars: it all comes down to this one day. It’s nice to have this one thing to celebrate before all the hard work of med school starts.”
Shalaka Natu is a University of Rochester graduate who did her gap year as a Fulbright Scholar, an experience that she said will inform her medical school studies and perspective as a physician.
“I just feel super grateful and honored. I feel like I’ve been imagining this moment for a long time now. Being here in Rochester for four years for undergrad and now being here in the Med School – I feel really grateful to be here and get started.”
Every white coat recipient found a note in the pocket from an SMD alum with advice on navigating the path ahead. At the ceremony, Arman Niknafs, a fourth-year medical student at SMD, took the stage to offer his advice. He noted the vital lessons that come from within:
“What we won’t learn through a textbook or a lecture – and I would argue that all of us come here knowing already – is how to hold someone’s hand, how to listen closely – not just to a story, but for a story – and how sometimes just being there, being there with and for someone, is enough… Exercising your own, authentic ability to remain with a patient lost in a sea of uncertainty is the most valuable thing you can do as a student and future physician.”