UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE CLASS OF
2021 WHITE COAT CEREMONY
If you walked into the Crowne Plaza Expo Center on Sunday, July 30, you
would have seen dozens of anxious young adults preparing for their very
own white coat. Dressed in their Sunday best with white coats in hand,
these young men and women were set to join the University of Louisville
School of Medicine as the Class of 2021.
As the clock struck 3 p.m., esteemed physicians led by Dean Toni Gan-
zel took the stage. Then came the students, all 161 of them, filing in to
the sounds of a small brass ensemble. Once everyone was in place, the
doctors-to-be sat in unison as Dr. Ganzel took the podium.
“What a great day,” she said. “I join my colleagues in welcoming the class
of 2021. Congratulations on all your success in getting here.”
Jacob Hoerter, President of the School of Medicine Class of 2020, was one
of the most impactful speakers of the afternoon, saying “Today marks the
beginning of a daunting and thrilling adventure. The path you’ve chosen
is beautiful but the terrain is uneven and often treacherous.”
Hoerter encouraged the students to remember to bring five essential things
on their journey: their brain, hobbies, heart, friends and their white coat.
“My white coat is a reminder of who I am, where I’ve been and where I’ll
go,” he said. “It humbles me with memories of my failures but it inspires
me with whispers of the doctor I’ll be.”
Dr. Stephen Wheeler, Senior Faculty for Resident Education and Associ-
ate Dean of Admissions, gave the Keynote Address, encouraging students
to wear their white coats with reverence. “When you put on your white
coat, it means you’ve become a person of science.”
And that’s just what they did. Each student was called to the stage and
a physician helped them don their white coats, purchased by GLMS, for
the very first time. They were also given their own stethoscope before
Vice Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education Dr. Monica Ann Shaw
led everyone in a reciting of the Declaration of Geneva.
Dr. Robert Couch then took to the podium, welcoming them to Louisville
and to their new medical society.
“We are dedicated to contributing to your success in medical school;
indeed the community here that we serve also has a stake in seeing that
you become good doctors,” Dr. Couch said. “This day, your first day as
a medical student, is a landmark day in your life. You and your families
should feel proud of what you’ve accomplished to get to this point. You
now need to focus your energies on becoming the absolute best physi-
cian that you can be.”
After closing remarks from Dr. Mike Ostapchuk, Associate Dean of Stu-
dent Affairs, the ceremony came to a close. GLMS was on hand with Hollie
Colwick Photography to take free professional headshots of each new
student. Approximately 150 students had their photo taken and formally
joined GLMS.
GLMS is excited to welcome the Class of 2021!
GLMS NEWS AUGUST 2017
(top to bottom) GLMS Past President Robert Couch speaks to
incoming medical students; New students wear the white coat
for the first time, Reciting the Declaration of Geneva
9