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Ceremony information

 

Ceremony format

• Welcome and Introductions

• Keynote Speaker

• Presentation of White Coats

• Recitation of the Declaration of Commitment

• Closing Remarks

 

Presentation of White Coats

During the ceremony students will be coated by one of the Medical School Deans unless you have a parent, relative or mentor that is an M.D. or D.O. and you would like them to coat you.

 

One physician coater per student is allowed unless you have multiple family members that are WSU Medical Alumni.

 

When we reach the coating part of the Ceremony, our staff will direct you, row by row, to the left side of the theatre and then to the backstage waiting area.

 

If you have a physician coater, he/she will be seated right next to you, and you will both process to the stage. Your coater is encouraged to wear his/her physician’s white coat.

 

As you wait, you will remain in alphabetical order, with your coat unbuttoned and draped over your arm to avoid wrinkling.   When your name is announced you will walk to the stage and stand on the marked spot.  Students will pass their coat to their physician coater or one of the SOM Deans, they will take your coat and place it on you.  Please remain in place for a brief picture, and then continue walking across the stage.

 

Once you are coated, you will receive a WSU SOM pin, as well as, the Oath of Commitment, and be ushered back to your seat.

 

Ceremony etiquette

The White Coat Ceremony is an exciting and memorable occasion for all of our students, but it is also a solemn one. Leaving before the ceremony has ended is disruptive and disrespectful to others. Students and guests are expected to remain for the entire ceremony.

 

The last student to cross the stage should expect to receive the same honor as the first, so please show consideration for all students by remaining seated until the conclusion of the ceremony.

 

Please refrain from excessive talking, cheering, use of noisemakers and other distractions, as this takes away from the dignity of the ceremony. Watches with alarms, cellphones and beepers can be distracting as well.

 

Out of respect for all students and guests, please switch all of your electronic equipment to silent, vibrate or off.

 

Photographs

Graduation Foto is the photographer for the White Coat Ceremony. They will be taking photos during the ceremony.  Photos taken will include - student coating, receiving keepsake pin and stand-alone photo (or with coater if applicable). You will receive information from them by email and by mail.

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The department of Medical Communications at Wayne State University School of Medicine (SOM) will also be taking photographs, which will be posted on the SOM Flickr account. Feel free to ask them to take photographs with you and your loved ones and friends! They will be happy to take your photo! All photos posted on the SOM Flickr account are yours to keep!

 

Meeting after the ceremony

Please be sure to communicate with your guests about where to meet after the ceremony. Approximately 2,000 people will exit at the same time and it may be difficult to locate your family and guests.