Fifty-nine students, of All Saints University, received white coats, at a ceremony on Saturday evening.
The White Coat Ceremony formally marks an educational milestone for the students who have completed basic sciences and now continue to pre-clinical studies.
Minister of Education, Petter Saint Jean, urged the recipients to consider the expectations and responsibilities which accompany the donning of the white coat.
“This ceremony should not just signify a declaration of your candidacy to the medical profession, but rather, I believe that it should be a moment in which you reflect on your anticipated contribution to the world of medicine, and the degree of competence which the medical profession demands of you.” St. Jean explained. “Today represents a rite of passage for you, as you don this white coat, which symbolizes clinical service, and patient care. Wearing it signifies that you are fully aware of your responsibility to become a health professional, who will display a high level of integrity, love, and care, and execute your duty in a manner that engenders trust.”
Dean of the university, Dr. Lee Hang-Fu, reminded the students that the ceremony marks only the beginning of their medical journey.
“Although you are not a full-fledged doctor yet, you are on your way to becoming that professional person. Your chosen path is just starting. This is a first milestone step that you’re going to take in your life. This one step is just a many, many milestone that you will step onto,” he said.
He warned that hard work is fundamental to the medical profession.
“Allow me to tell you that being a doctor is not easy. If you walk through life thinking that being a doctor is just cakewalk, you will pretty well wake up, pretty quick,” he noted.
Hang-Fu challenged the belief that medical schools in the Caribbean are inferior in comparison to those in more developed countries. He stated that students’ academic success depends on their own approach to learning.
“Caribbean medical schools are being traditionally looked upon as it is a sort of second chance or a door that will open for you because you’re unable to somewhere else. That is not a hundred percent true,” Hang-Fu noted. “Medical school is all about you, in terms of your approach to learning. If you choose to learn, you will become that person that you want to be.”
Four Dominicans formed part of the group. They are Jeval Lecointe, Samuel Satra Lucien, Kirshena Joseph and Farrell Adam.
James Watterson Christopher was named as valedictorian.
Congrats sister Tina you look good.