LUCOM Class of 2024 officially welcomed into the profession during white coat ceremony

Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM) honored the Class of 2024 on Aug. 22, during the annual White Coat Ceremony held at the Center for Music and the Worship Arts. This seventh class of osteopathic medical students was officially coated by LUCOM faculty.

The ceremony is a symbolic milestone for any class entering medical school and marks the beginning of a student’s transition into the medical profession. Instituted by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation in 1993, a White Coat Ceremony is celebrated at most medical schools in the United States, as well as in 19 other countries.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only faculty, staff, and student-doctors were allowed to attend Liberty’s event.

Dr. Peter A. Bell, dean and professor of family and emergency medicine, opened the ceremony by encouraging student-doctors to embrace the journey to becoming doctors and understand the motives of LUCOM faculty and staff.

“We take the words of Jesus Christ seriously when He commanded His disciples to, ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’ And the word ‘physician’ evokes ideas of a healer. We take this very seriously in osteopathic medicine,” said Bell.

Dr. Jason E. Wells, assistant dean of academics for years one and two and professor of neurosciences, led the invocation, followed by a special musical performance of “God Bless America” provided by Class of 2023 student-doctors Jackson Bargery, Yoshua Mathai, and Kamille Parungao.

This year’s keynote address was provided by Dr. Robert A. Cain, president and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), who did not attend due to COVID-19 restrictions but instead provided a prerecorded message to the class.

Dr. Cain encouraged the Class of 2024 to stay hopeful and remain committed, and that the osteopathic mindset is intended to influence decision making throughout their career.

“In you, I see a bright future for medicine,” he said. “Thank you for inviting me to share this very special day. I offer you my most heartfelt congratulations for making the decision to ‘Choose DO.’ I know that you will have a positive impact and improve the lives of thousands of patients in the future.”

Dr. Michael G. Hueber, assistant dean of admissions and student services, led the Class of 2024 in the reciting of the Osteopathic Oath, affirming their loyalty to the osteopathic profession.

Dr. Timothy O. Leonard, senior associate dean of academic affairs, closed the ceremony in prayer.

There are 160 new osteopathic medical students in the Class of 2024. By birthplace, 34 states and 11 foreign countries are represented, and the average age of the class is 24 with the youngest age at time of orientation being 21 and the oldest 41. The class has 82% of its members entering the program with a bachelor’s degree, 17% with a master’s degree, and two with a doctorate (PharmD) degree.