St. George’s Welcomes New Class of Medical Students at White Coat Ceremony

The St. George’s University spring 2012 class of 581 students took their first step toward becoming medical doctors by pronouncing a Commitment to the profession of Medicine at White Coat Ceremonies held in mid-January. As part of the Keith B. Taylor Global Scholars Program (KBTGSP), a class of 27 students was officially welcomed to the SGU family at Northumbria University in the United Kingdom on January 12th. On the True Blue campus, Patrick F. Adams Hall hosted 554 first-years who were presented their white coats at the School of Medicine’s ceremony on January 16th.

Speaking on behalf of the Chancellor at the Grenada ceremony, Dr. Stephen Weitzman, Dean of the School of Medicine, urged students to keep in mind that while they are studying the basic sciences they will one day meet a patient for whom the information they learn will be of assistance. “Remember that this is about humanity,” he said.

The evening’s keynote speaker, Dr. Cindy L. Parker, asked of the students the provocative question: “What does it really mean to be a physician?” She encouraged the students to see beyond their roles as the curers of disease and to expand their understanding of ‘physician’ to include one who takes responsibility for taking care of the environment, which  has a significant impact on health

“People will listen to you.  You will become a trusted source of information and advice, and you will be well-respected in your community.  This is a tremendous responsibility,” she said.

Dr. Charles H.C. Twort, Consultant Physician in Respiratory Medicine at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospital and Adjunct Professor at SGU, delivered a thought-provoking and inspiring keynote speech at the KBTGSP White Coat Ceremony. The students, who will spend a year at Northumbria University before joining their classmates in Grenada, also heard remarks from Dr. Andrew Wathey, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive at Northumbria University; Dr. Robert Jordan, Senior Associate Dean of Basic and Allied Health Sciences for the KBTGSP; and Dr. Frances McGill, MD ’81, Associate Dean of Clinical Studies.

At both ceremonies following the keynote addresses, the aspiring doctors donned white coats, symbols of their entry into the medical profession and their commitment to upholding the duties and trust associated with medicine and medical training. This commitment was recited during the ceremony as they pledged their Oath of Professional Commitment.

This year marks 35 years of existence for St. George’s University, which has students and faculty from 140 countries, including 1,342 from Grenada and 476 from the Caribbean. The incoming students follow the legacy of the University’s over 11,000 graduates, including physicians, veterinarians, scientists, and public health and business professionals around the world.

Published on 2/17/12