Ceremony Celebrates Rite of Passage for LSU Health New Orleans Medicine Class of 2021

On April 21, 2018, 183 members of LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine's Class of 2021 received the visible symbol of patient care. During the White Coat Ceremony, students were “coated” by faculty members chosen by the class for their commitment to medical education and their students.

According to the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, cloaking with the white coat—the mantle of the medical profession—is a hands-on experience that underscores the bonding process. The coat is placed on each student's shoulders by individuals who believe in the students' ability to carry on the noble tradition of doctoring. It is a personally delivered gift of faith, confidence and compassion.

Dr. Fred Lopez, who served as Master of Ceremony, got things underway by calling upon Dr. Steve Nelson, Dean, to address the Class.

Brittany Foret, Class of 2012, introduced Dr. Randolf Roig, Nominee for the AAMC Humanism in Medicine Award. Class of 2018's Victoria Serven, Gold Humanism Honor Society President, introduced Lucie Calderon, Class of 2019, who read her winning Humanism in Medicine Essay Contest entry.

Then, before their family and loved ones as Drs. Cathy Lazarus and Hamilton Farris called their names, the first-year medical students were cloaked by Drs. Robin English, Cacky Hebert, Andrew Hollenbach, Bud Landry, Robert Maupin, Patricia Molina, William Swartz and David Worthylake.

The ceremony ended with the Class's recital of their Oath of Ideals led by Hillary Connell, Kenneth Gorman, Brekel Kemp, Kelsey Lacourrage and Michael Olejniczak, all members of the Class of 2021.

LSU Health educates the vast majority of Louisiana's physicians, and the Class of 2021 is now well on their way toward joining their ranks.