UNC School of Medicine Hosts Annual White Coat Ceremony

On Saturday, September 8, the UNC School of Medicine formally welcomed and recognized the Class of 2022 at the annual White Coat Ceremony. The annual ceremony is an opportunity for students, along with their families and friends, to celebrate their accomplishments and look forward to the beginning of their medical training and career.

As is customary, the event began with a processional and words of welcome from UNC School of Medicine Dean, Dr. Bill Roper.

Following Dr. Roper’s remarks, Lisa Rahangdale, MD, MPH, Associate Dean for Admissions, introduced the class. Rahangdale was named the Associate Dean for Admissions in August of 2017. The Class of 2022 is her first in this role. As always, the class represents the highest levels of achievement. The 190 students were selected from more than 7,000 applicants.

At the event, the students and guests heard inspiring words from the event’s keynote speaker, Beat Steiner, MD, MPH, Assistant Dean for Clinical Education.

Following Steiner’s words, the students were presented with their white coats, officially inducting them into their future careers as physicians.

One first year student, Marianne Bonanno, is continuing a long family legacy in medicine. As Bonanno received her white coat, she became the third generation of her family at the UNC School of Medicine. Both her parents and grandparents are graduates of the UNC School of Medicine, as is her uncle, Ned Sharpless, MD, former head of UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and current leader of the National Cancer Institute.

At the end of the event, the entire class recited the physician’s pledge, which reads in part:

“As a member of the medical profession, I solemnly pledge to dedicate my life to the service of humanity. The health and well being of my patient will be my first consideration. I will respect the autonomy and dignity of my patient and I will maintain the utmost respect for human life.”