In her keynote address to the medical school’s newest students at the MD Class of 2026 White Coat Ceremony, Dr. Karen Bovid thought back to the day she received her first white coat and the discomfort she felt as she thought about what it meant to be officially welcomed into the medical profession.
“If I could go back … and answer that question for a younger me, I would tell her a few things,” said Dr. Bovid, associate professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and program director for the Orthopaedic Surgery residency program at WMed. “While this ceremony certainly celebrates you and all of your accomplishments to this point, putting on the white coat isn’t just about you. It is about the responsibility you now bear to learn as much as you can so that you will be ready to care for your patients when it’s time to do the job.
MORE: Check out 250+ photos from the White Coat Ceremony
“And remember, medicine is not just a job,” she added. “It is a profession. At its very best, it is about serving others by curing ailments, providing comfort, and being present in the suffering and healing of other people; people who have entrusted us with their stories, their secrets, their fears, and their hopes; people who come to us in need of help.”
This year’s White Coat Ceremony, was held on Saturday, September 10, at WMU’s Miller Auditorium. The event was also livestreamed, allowing family members and friends who could not attend in-person to tune in to the festivities.
In addition to Dr. Bovid, the 86 students from the Class of 2026 heard remarks from Dean Paula M. Termuhlen, MD, and M2 Niko Nickson, among others, during the ceremony.
Nickson told the students that they are embarking on a journey that will prove tough as they navigate medical school. He told them their time at WMed will feel like a rollercoaster, with ups and downs and twists and turns. In the midst of it all, he reminded them to stay true to themselves and to prioritize their personal well-being as they work to become physicians.
“I don’t think many people would ride a roller coaster that was completely flat because where’s the excitement in that?” Nickson said. “Thinking about the same idea for medical school, can that much growth come from an educational experience without challenge? My point is this - it’s OK to expect lots of ups and downs and twists and turns in medical school and feel a little uneasy about that. But to change the narrative a bit, those ups and downs are what make it all worth it because there are opportunities for growth and celebration and maybe even a little bit of enjoyment.”
The white coat for each student at the White Coat Ceremony was made possible by contributions from white coat sponsors. Each student received a handwritten note from their sponsor that was placed in the pocket of their white coat for them to read.
Dr. Termuhlen told students that the privilege of wearing their white coats is steeped in tradition and symbolism.
“Today’s ceremony is more than a ritual,” Dr. Termuhlen said. “You are pledging to follow the oath that you recite today during your career as a physician. Your role as a physician has already begun as you are now learning the science of medicine and how to practice the art of patient care. A physician must care as well as cure.
“As a physician you are obligated to demonstrate excellence in the master of scientific knowledge, to be compassionate, and to embody integrity, professionalism, and lifelong learning,” she added.
As the White Coat Ceremony concluded, the students recited their class oath, which they wrote collectively. The oath serves as a code of conduct throughout their time at WMed and as physicians after graduation.
As she closed out her remarks to the Class of 2026, Dr. Bovid told the students they will quickly learn – during medical school and after – that “there are all kinds of people out there and you will learn how to be a good doctor to all of them.”
“But know that sometimes having a similar background, culture, language, or shared experience allows your patient to feel more comfortable sharing important information, ultimately resulting in better care for them,” she said. “We have all kinds of different people and we need all kinds of different doctors. I promise you, there are many patients who need – and want – to see you.
“I encourage you to think of these things when you put on your white coat today – and every day – as you progress in your careers,” Dr. Bovid added. “Channel your efforts into learning as much as you can and building your skills, not to add to your already impressive lists of accomplishments, but to allow you be ready to take the best, most compassionate care of your patients. They want to see you, they’re counting on you, and you can do it. Welcome to the profession of medicine. We’re glad you’re here.”