It's Not Just About the Coat, It's Really About the Oath

Last Friday, the White Coat Ceremony was held for the first-year students on the Downers Grove Campus. Nearly a packed house of family, friends, faculty, and students gathered at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont for this annual rite of passage.

In her remarks to the students, Dr. G spoke about the symbolism of the white coat. She stressed that professionalism is not something that can be put off until a later day. For MWU students, professionalism is required from the beginning of each academic program. She focused on the future patients who these students will be treating and emphasized that the white coat is a symbol of honor in our society. She ended by reading a note sent to her by a recent alumnus, who shared that he finally understood the true meaning of his white coat when he started to see patients on rotations. He harkened back to the oath of commitment, which talks about respect and responsibility for all health care providers. At some point in each student's academic career at MWU, the words in this oath will become very clear and powerful.

As the ceremony continued, every student was coated on stage with the assistance of their faculty and their dean. The front rows of the audience quickly transitioned into a sea of white, as more than 600 students received their new coats. After the final student descended the stage, Dr. G returned to the podium to lead the students in the Oath of Commitment. More than just reading words on the page, the oath now had a greater meaning for these students. This ceremony represented their official transition to health professions students, and I think the message to them was very clear.

I have shared below the text of the oath. All of us have memories of seeing someone in a white coat who has provided critical treatment and helped us feel better. And while the symbolism of the coat itself is important, the commitment reflected in the words below are much more impactful with regard to patient care. The White Coat Ceremony is a very powerful event at our university and for the countless patients whom our alumni will one day serve.

Oath of Commitment

As I embark upon my course of study at Midwestern University, I will:

Enter into a relationship of mutual respect with my teachers and my colleagues to enhance the learning environment and gain the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of a health care provider;

Accept responsibility only for those matters for which I am competent, maintain the trust expected of a health care provider, and never take advantage of the patient-provider relationship;

Respect the patient's right to privacy;

Value the knowledge and wisdom of the health care professionals who have
preceded me and endeavor to contribute to its tradition;

Recognize my weaknesses and strengths, and strive to develop those qualities that will earn the respect of my patients, my colleagues, my family, and myself, and;

Continue this learning throughout all the days of my life.