Each fall, medical students across the country don their white coats for the first time, embracing the responsibilities and commitment that comes with the privilege of caring for others’ health. On October 5, 200 second-year medical students in the UNC School of Medicine will receive their white coats during the 2025 White Coat Ceremony.
Dr. Alice Chuang, the associate dean for student affairs in the UNC School of Medicine, answered questions about the upcoming White Coat Ceremony, its significance and our community’s celebration of this next step in the medical students’ journey toward becoming a physician.
What is the White Coat Ceremony?
The White Coat Ceremony is a symbolic event in medical education where students are formally and publicly presented with their white coats, marking their transition into the profession of medicine. The very first White Coat Ceremony, originated by Dr. Arnold P Gold, was held in 1993 at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York.
What does the white coat symbolize for medical students at UNC?
At UNC, the white coat is a visible symbol of the responsibilities and privileges of becoming a physician. It reflects the values of professionalism, service to others, and the commitment to providing excellent, patient-centered care. It also represents the trust patients place in physicians and the humility with which students are expected to serve. Beyond professionalism and compassion, the white coat also represents the voice of science and medical training. Wearing it carries both the authority to apply medical knowledge and the responsibility to use that knowledge in the service of all patients.
Why does UNC School of Medicine hold its White Coat Ceremony during the second year (MS2), rather than the first year like many other schools?
UNC holds the ceremony at the start of the second year to coincide with students’ entry into the clinical phase of their education. This timing ensures the coat is not only a symbolic garment but also an immediately functional one, worn as they begin working more closely and daily with patients. It emphasizes that the privilege of wearing the coat comes with responsibilities earned through their preclinical study and preparation.
How have students responded to the timing and format of the ceremony in recent years?
Students have consistently valued the ceremony’s timing. Many share that receiving their coat at this milestone makes it feel more meaningful because of their established connection to the peers who have shared their educational journey to this point. The event has become a powerful moment of reflection, celebration, and motivation, with students appreciating the presence of their peers, faculty, families, and mentors as they mark this important step.
How does the White Coat Ceremony reflect UNC School of Medicine’s values and approach to medical education?
The ceremony embodies UNC’s values of service, professionalism, and community. By placing the White Coat Ceremony at the transition to clinical learning, the School highlights its philosophy that medical education is not just about acquiring knowledge, but about preparing to care for patients with empathy, respect, and integrity. The event underscores UNC’s mission to train physicians who are both skilled and compassionate, committed to the people of North Carolina and beyond.
Note: UNC School of Medicine’s White Coat Ceremony will be livestreamed via YouTube.