WHITE COAT CEREMONY
GLMS WELCOMES THE UOFL MEDICAL
SCHOOL CLASS OF 2023
O
AUTHOR Aaron Burch
ne hundred and sixty three well dressed and slightly
nervous medical students descended upon the Louisville
Downtown Marriott on Sunday, July 28. Supported by
family and friends, these students filed into their seats
to listen to words of wisdom from a few of our city’s
health care leaders.
“We welcome you to our beloved profession of med-
icine,” UofL School of Medicine Dean and GLMS Board
Member Dr. Toni Ganzel began. “We believe in you and know
you have the right ingredients to be a great doctor. We promise to
educate, inspire and support you on your journey.”
Dr. Ganzel thanked the Greater Louisville Medical Society for
providing the white coats of each medical student, as well as their
first professional headshots following the ceremony. “GLMS is a
wonderful partner.”
Max Huff, the UofL School of Medicine’s Class of 2022 president,
spoke next and imparted a positive message that some in the crowd
undoubtedly needed to hear. “Every one of us has the same finish
line: That’s walking across a stage having earned an MD at the end
of your name. You do belong here. You’re smart. You work hard.
You’re here for a reason.”
“Max, thank you for those beautiful words,” said keynote speaker
and UofL President Neeli Bendapudi, PhD, who built upon them
throughout her speech. Dr. Bendapudi assured the students listening
that there would be difficult times ahead, but to not let that diminish
their goals and their internal strength. “There will be a time you will
fail. Be the first to say, ‘I will be better. I will do better.’ Every one of
you is a leader. Thank you for choosing us; we are so proud of you.”
Once Dr. Bendapudi completed her keynote address, the new
class of medical students rose row by row took the stage and put
on their white coats for the first time. They received the gift of a
stethoscope as they exited the stage. Once all had donned their
coats, they rose for a reciting of the Hippocratic Oath led by Dr.
Monica Ann Shaw.
Next, GLMS President Dr. Frank Burns welcomed students to
their new membership into GLMS, sharing personal experiences
as a medical student in 1982. Dr. Burns encouraged students to
get involved in GLMS through advocacy and events exclusive to
medical students.
Thank you to Hollie Colwick Photography for providing the
students’ professional photographs, and congratulations to the
University of Louisville for welcoming another great class into your
school of medicine.
Aaron Burch is the communications specialist for the Greater Louisville Medical
Society.
View photos from the event on page 8.
All photos are provided by UofL Photo & Video.
SEPTEMBER 2019
7