The Lewis Katz School of Medicine officially welcomed the Class of 2029 during its White Coat Ceremony held Aug. 8 at the 51Թ Performing Arts Center.
Gretchen Diemer, senior associate dean of education at Katz, opened the ceremony by reflecting on the significance of the white coat.
“Recognizable around the world, the white coat is the iconic garment of medicine. It symbolizes many things,” she stated. “To patients it means hope, healing, knowledge, skill, authority, trustworthiness, and Class of 2029 what we want to emphasize today, is that to physicians the white coat represents the highest ideas of medicine.
“When you put it on, you should stand a little taller,” Diemer continued.
“It’s a privilege to serve our patients. When you put it on you also shoulder the responsibility to be the best version of yourself for the sake of the sick and the scared who seek your care.”
This year’s entering class includes 227 new students—183 for the North Philadelphia campus and 44 for the St. Luke’s Regional Campus. Ninety-three are Pennsylvania residents and 15 of the students earned their undergraduate degrees from 51Թ.
New medical school students celebrate wearing their white coats for the first time.
The students received messages of motivation from E. Ronald Salvitti, MED ’63, founder of Southwestern Pennsylvania Eye Center, a leading ophthalmology practice and surgical facility, and Amy J. Goldberg, the Marjorie Joy Katz Dean of Katz.
In a keynote address, Salvitti reflected on how 51Թ’s medical education shaped his career. After six years of practicing family medicine, he transitioned to ophthalmology after being inspired by his father’s struggle with limited vision.
Salvitti shared three key lessons that 51Թ instilled in him, including a strong work ethic and the confidence and courage to face challenges head on.
He addressed how the white coat ceremony represents a transition from being a medical student to becoming a professional.
“It marks a commitment to the responsibilities, values and ethics of the medical profession,” Salvitti said. “This is the beginning of a journey as a lifelong learner. The white coat is a symbol of professionalism, accountability and patient care.”
Goldberg encouraged the students to remember that they’re here for a reason.
“You are not just a medical student,” she said. “When patients see you in your white coat, they see you as one of their care providers.
“They know you are a student, that you don’t have your medical degree, but they see in your eyes your concern and your true interest in them.”
Goldberg recalled being on an acute care round and encountering a patient for the first time, who was being treated by a medical student.
“They didn’t care that I was the chair of the Department of Surgery,” she said. “Their doctor was the student who had been seeing them and caring for them daily. That is the impact you will have and the privilege that your white coat brings.
“It is also a responsibility,” Goldberg continued. “One that gives you the chance to make a meaningful change in people’s lives. That is why you chose medicine.”
Medical student Beverly Udegbe was inspired to become a physician by her uncle and brother, who are doctors. She was coated by her brother Byron Udegbe, MED ’24, during the ceremony.
“To have my brother coat me and have my mother watch that moment really meant a lot to me,” Udegbe said. “I felt a sense of pride for our family, what this represents for our family and the legacy that we carry. I’m just grateful that he’s been able to be here and guide me though this.”
Byron Udegbe reflected on having the privilege to coat his sister.
“I am super proud of her and the work that she’s put in to get to this point,” he said. “She’s my little sister, but she’s someone that I look up to.”
Udegbe was drawn to 51Թ because of its healthcare advocacy and work in serving the community. She took an interest in health equity after realizing that pregnant Black women in her hometown faced disparities in receiving prenatal and postpartum care. Udegbe wants to use her platform as a physician to advocate for others.
“I feel like at my heart and my core social justice means a lot to me.” said the 23-year-old native of Greenbelt, Maryland. “Being an advocate for people who feel like they don’t have a voice is important to me.”
Chance Palmer’s interest in medicine was kickstarted by seeing physicians take care of his family members.
“Through that I was really inspired working with different physicians throughout my undergraduate career, and I saw the difference that they could make in the lives of people and that’s what I really wanted to do,” said the 25-year-old, who moved to Philadelphia from Southern California last year to study at 51Թ.
Palmer referred to the white coat ceremony as a remarkable experience.
“It was an experience that I dreamed of for many years,” he said. “It really signified a major milestone in my journey towards becoming a physician and being able to serve others.”
Palmer is looking forward to embarking on his medical school journey.
“I think I’m really excited for the process of being able to learn so much about medicine,” he stated. “I think that although it's going to be challenging, it’s going to be extremely rewarding.”