White Coat Ceremony: What this Exciting Day Means

The white coat ceremony may seem a little counterintuitive. Here you are, getting your white coat at the beginning of medical school? You haven’t even started, but your family is cheering for you, and you are in a big room with keynote speakers, getting a coat. It may feel small to some, but honestly you would only feel this way if you had never witnessed a white coat ceremony, been a part of one or talked to someone who has gotten theirs.

The white coat ceremony is so much more than that! Receiving your coveted white coat is a symbol of the beginning of this new and exciting journey. A cap and gown is synonymous with graduating; finally finishing something. A briefcase may be the symbol of beginning a fancy new job. The white coat is the same thing. So let’s look at the history of the white coat, the ceremony, and why it should be a day you really look forward to as a future medical student. I will also share my personal experience of the white coat ceremony, and what that day meant to me.

History of the White Coat

There are two types of white coats. The short white coat is the one that medical students wear, and the long coat is the one sported by graduated and licensed physicians. Occasionally, residents may be required to continue wearing the short one, but most of the time, they earn the privilege to wear the long coat.

The difference in size is to differentiate medical students and physicians in the hospital. During your 3rd and 4th years, you will be doing clinical rotations. This means you will be in hospitals, experiencing surgeries, check ups, and feeling very real. However, you need to be clear on your role, and so does the patient. As a medical student, hospitals and laws limit your powers. So by having a short white coat, everyone in the hospital can discern that you do not have free medical reign.

Now that you know about the different kinds of white coats, where do they come from, and what do they mean? Here’s a little history on the white coat. Centuries ago, physicians actually used to dress in black. Because going to the doctor was rarely beneficial, it was as if they dressed solemnly to reflect the sadness of the occasion.

However, after Joseph Lister’s discovery, and the movement towards antisepsis and cleanliness became a norm in hospitals, white began to take over the medical field. Doctors and nurses both dressed in white. The patient began being covered in white cloth as well. The idea was making sure that everything was clean and pure, and white is a symbol of purity. From there, the white coat was born, symbolizing the purity and compassion that doctors pledge to provide for their patients.

The importance of the white coat ceremony

The white coat ceremony is the induction of medical students to this journey towards purity and sanitation. When faculty don medical students with their white coats, they are sending them on a path towards maintaining the same code of ethics and responsibility that comes with being a physician. This is why it is such an important moment for medical students. After all the studying, interviews, hopes and dreams, and the end of orientation week, you have this initiation.

Students should be proud when they make it to the white coat ceremony. I had a few classmates that blew it off, and I honestly downplayed it to my parents. However, it is important. Students all over the country can’t wait to post pictures in their white coats. There is this status change and new level of respect people give you. Whatever authority and power that comes with the white coat has now been bestowed upon you. As scary as that is, it is also this riveting revalation.

What my ceremony meant to me

My white coat ceremony was a little different that the orthodox because of COVID-19. I’m honestly thankful that my school still made it possible for us to have an in person ceremony. So many students had to have virtual ones, or have their postponed. Ours was virtual for friends and family, a live stream of us, receiving our white coats from the Dean, Associate Deans, President of the College, and Provost.

I arrived to the pretty empty campus, completely lost on where to go. After doing my hair, makeup, and finding the perfect outfit, I couldn’t even find where to go! It was so frustrating, but eventually I found my way. We were all spread out, and given explicit instructions on how we were to proceed. You could tell everyone was a little nervous, but very excited. After a long week of orientation, and a longer year of the application process, we had finally made it.

Once the ceremony started, the dim lights and heartwarming words from the dean set the perfect mood. One by one, we all walked on stage, with our pictures large on the screen for everyone to see. Various associate deans put our coats on us, and we exited the stage so the next person could have their time. When everyone had received their coat, it was a little emotional looking out over the sea of white coats. We all looked so dignified, like we deserved to be there. It truly marked the start of the next stage of our lives.

It was a little hard not having family there to physically takes pictures and give really big hugs. But talking with all my friends and family, receiving texts and videos of them supporting me was close enough.

Be proud of that moment

If you are applying to medical school, you should absolutely be looking forward to your white coat ceremony. It will be here and gone before you know it, and then the real work begins.

If you have already started medical school, or will soon, then your white coat ceremony is something you should absolutely be proud of. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. It is a big deal. You worked really hard to get there, and you will be so proud when you get to smile in the camera and refer to yourself as a Student Doctor.

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