Boot Camp to Med School, Parallel Bars to White Coat: Med Students Class of 2015 Takes Oath

To symbolize their entry into medical school, first-year College of Medicine students received their white lab coats Friday, Aug. 12, in Music Hall. The medical college sponsors the ceremony and the Alumni Association gives white coats to the incoming medical students as gifts.

Each incoming class writes their own oath. The 2015 class included a committment to "adapt with the changing enviornment and be an advocate for social justice and the improvement of the health care system."   

This year’s keynote speaker was Andrew Filak, MD, senior associate dean of the College of Medicine. Of note in the 2011 class:

*There are six Spanish majors, an art history major and a movement science major (athletic and physical education).

*There are nine students who are legacies (at least one parent is a UC College of Medicine grad) and several incoming students who currently have a brother or sister at the school.
 
*There is also a Marine and a former gymnast.

Of course, the entire class has a strong science background in order to get through biochemistry, physiology and pharmacology; which shouldn't be a problem because this class has the highest GPA of any incoming class, according to the admissions office.