Congratulations, class of 2021! Receiving your white coat is a great honor. It serves as a
symbol of your commitment to providing the best possible care for your future patients. Take
some time to reflect on the many people and experiences that allowed for you to be here
today and cherish them.
As you move forward in your journey, be an advocate for your patients. They are instilling in
you a great trust and vulnerability. Always bring two good ears to listen with and a drive for
lifelong learning. Be kind to yourself and to others, and remember that humility is your friend.
Medicine does not come without its challenges; however, it holds many rewards. Understand
that you will make positive impacts in the lives of so many others. This is one of the greatest
privileges that we can possibly hold. I welcome you to our Heritage College family!
Ulyana Kachmar, OMS-II
SGA President, Heritage College, Cleveland
Congratulations to the class of 2021! Today marks a very special occasion for each one of you.
You have worked tirelessly and sacrificed to be able to walk across the stage, receive your first
white coat and hear your name called for the first time with “Student Doctor” in front of it. Be
sure to wear your white coat with pride, as everyone in the Heritage College family is proud to
see you take the next step in your medical education journey.
Recently, someone described to me their interpretation of what it is like to be in medical school:
The days are long, but the years are short. Your medical education journey is not a sprint; it is a
marathon broken up into daily segments. My challenge to you is to wake up every day thankful to
be an osteopathic medical student and determined to win that day’s race.
“Let us not be governed today by what we did yesterday, nor tomorrow by what we do today, for
day by day we must show progress.” – A.T. Still M.D., D.O.
Congratulations and best of luck!
Nathaniel Wilburn-Ogletree , OMS-II
Student Government President, Heritage College, Dublin
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