The Class of 2003 was Formally Welcomed to the Veterinary Profession during a White Coat Ceremony held August 20, 1999 at Washington State University

The White Coat Ceremony creates an important focus for students entering veterinary school. In the presence of family, friends, and faculty members, student-veterinarians are welcomed into the veterinary community and are “cloaked” with their first white coats. The class members and veterinarians present also stand to recite the Oath of Geneva.

Through their involvement in the meaningful ritual at the beginning of veterinary school, student-veterinarians become more aware of their professional responsibilities. The ceremony impresses upon them the primacy of the veterinarian-patient-client relationship. It encourages them to accept the obligations inherent in the practice of veterinary medicine; to be excellent in science, compassionate, and lead lives of uprightness and honor. It emphasizes for students the veterinarian’s responsibility to take care of patients and also to care for patients. The message conveyed is that veterinarians should care as well as cure.

Adapted from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation

posted September 7, 1999

Other White Coat Ceremonies