UAMS College of Medicine Welcomes 175 Students at Joint White Coat Ceremony
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine welcomed a new class of 175 medical students at a joint white coat ceremony held at its Little Rock and Fayetteville campuses. The event, which took place on August 9, marked the beginning of these students’ four-year journey through medical school.
The ceremony commenced with distinguished speakers offering words of wisdom, followed by the recitation of the medical student oath led by James Graham, M.D., executive associate dean for academic affairs. A highlight of the ceremony was when the students donned their crisp white coats, symbolizing the responsibility and compassion that comes with pursuing a medical career.
Students from both campuses participated, with 19 freshmen joining via a live feed from the Fayetteville location. This was the first white coat ceremony for Steven Webber, M.D., who became the dean of the College of Medicine and executive vice chancellor of UAMS on March 1. Dr. Webber congratulated the students on their acceptance, noting that they were part of the select 6% of the 2,782 applicants who were chosen for the program.
Johnathan Goree, M.D., delivered the keynote address, urging the students to overcome any initial “imposter syndrome” and remember their hard work and desire to improve lives. He emphasized their rightful place in the program and expressed his excitement to call them colleagues in the future.
UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university and has a rich history, having graduated more than 11,000 physicians since 1879. The institution offers a wide range of programs across its colleges and institutes, making it a comprehensive center for medical education and care.
