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154 Incoming Medical Students to Receive ‘White Coats’ in Ceremony Aug. 25 at SUNY Health Science Center

One hundred and fifty-four new students in the College of Medicine at the State University of New York Health Science Center will receive their first physician’s lab coat during a special event, called the White Coat ceremony, Wednesday, Aug. 25 at 4:30 p.m. in the ninth floor auditorium of Weiskotten Hall, 766 Irving Avenue, Syracuse.

Health Science Center President and Dean of the College of Medicine Gregory L. Eastwood, M.D., who will preside over the ceremony, said the event marks the beginning of one’s journey into the medical profession. “The white coat identifies you as someone who has joined this caring profession. It is something that all of us in the medical profession wear with great pride,” he said.

The ceremony will feature remarks from John McCabe, M.D., vice president and vice dean for clinical affairs and president of the Medical Alumni Association/Foundation; and Kathy Faber-Langendoen, M.D., the Medical Alumni Endowed Professor of Bioethics, who will welcome students to the medical profession.

Erika B. Johnston of Huntington, N.Y., representing the Class of 2002, will introduce the coating ceremony. Michael Guiffrida of Syosset, N.Y., president of the Class of 2002, will lead students in a recitation of the Medical Student Oath.

Also participating will be representatives of the faculty, Class of 2002, the Medical Alumni Association and its Parents’ Committee.

In addition to the white coats, which are provided by support from the Medical Alumni Parents’ Committee, students will receive a copy of “Netter’s Anatomy Book,” as a gift from the Medical Alumni Association, and pins from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation.

A reception, sponsored by the Medical Alumni Association’s Parents’ Committee, for students and their families will be held immediately following the ceremony in the courtyard and foyer of Weiskotten Hall.

Earlier in the day, at 1 p.m., Dr. Eastwood will officially welcome all Health Science Center students and their families at a ceremony in Room 9295 Weiskotten Hall. He will be joined by Kenneth L. Barker, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs; John B. McCabe, M.D., vice president and vice dean for clinical affairs; Rajesh Dav