FEATURE
THE CLASS OF 2022 JOINS THE UofL School of Medicine
Aaron Burch
At this year’ s White Coat Ceremony, as proud parents and loved ones looked on, 162 medical students put on their white coats for the first time, collectively recited the Declaration of Geneva, and officially joined the University of Louisville( UofL) School of Medicine.
The Class of 2022 was privileged to be included in a very special White Coat Ceremony. For the first time in the history of the school, the University President was among the doctors on stage to welcome these new medical students. Neeli Bendapudi, PhD, seemed to share as much excitement in being there as many of the new students she was addressing.
“ I’ m a freshman as well, as this is my first event as President of the University of Louisville,” Dr. Bendapudi said before offering advice to the students in attendance.“ First, take care of yourself. Second, look out for one another. You will be part of a community of care.
The more you cultivate your own humanity, the better off you’ ll be.”
Dr. Bendapudi was preceded in the ceremony by School of Medicine Dean Toni Ganzel, MD, who congratulated the students for all the accomplishments and hard work that led them to this moment.
“ You were selected because we saw you had the right intellect, the right motivation and showed a sense of compassion. You can’ t be a great doctor without compassion. We’ ll continue to nurture all three of these things,” Dr. Ganzel said.
Selena Thé, President of the Class of 2021, spoke next and gave a touching speech based on her first year of studies. She encouraged the new students to always hold on to their inner selves as they face the rigors of training head on. Her message of mindfulness and hope was reiterated by the keynote speaker, Dr. Barry Kerzin, personal physician to the Dalai Lama.
14 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE