Wednesday, August 12, 2015

LUCOM continues tradition with White Coat Ceremony, welcomes Class of 2019

Wed, 05 Aug 2015Liberty University News Service/Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM) continued its tradition of the White Coat Ceremony on Saturday, August 1, 2015, with its newest and second-class – Class of 2019.

LUCOM White Coat CeremonyEach of the 160 incoming students, who started classes Monday, August 3, and are scheduled to graduate in 2019, were coated by a LUCOM faculty member and given three symbolic pins: one bearing the official seal of LUCOM, the second provided by the Virginia Osteopathic Medical Association (VOMA), and the third provided by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation.

Addressing the class, Ronnie B. Martin, D.O., dean of LUCOM, explained the significance of the White Coat Ceremony, calling it a “rite of passage, symbolizing not only a commitment to academic and scientific rigor but also a commitment to empathy, compassion and caring for the patient.” He challenged the students to not take lightly the calling they are pursuing.

Distinguished osteopathic physician and surgeon, as well as, personal friend of Dr. Martin, William G. Anderson, D.O., delivered the keynote address.

Referencing the late founder of Liberty University, the Rev. Jerry Falwell, Sr., Dr. Anderson said that it was often tests of Falwell’s strong faith that built the institution. “Liberty University is a dynamic place. The vision from the beginning was to have a world-class university, including a top-ranked medical school, and would produce excellently trained physicians, who would positively impact the world,” he said. “As members of only its second class, you are a testament to that vision.”

Read the full story on Liberty News.

White Coat Ceremony picture galley above provided by LU Marketing; photographers Kevin Manguiob and James Hancock.