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 .
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