Pressed and crisp white, draped over arms, and embroidered with the college seal, the coat given to first-year medical students at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) symbolizes the purity of medical care and the trust that exists between doctors and patients. For the first time in their medical school journey, 270 students in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program filed on stage on Friday, October 13, to receive their white coats as part of the annual white coat ceremony.
The white coats, this year donated by the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association (POMA), are designed to serve as a reminder to physicians of their duty to practice medicine with humanism and professionalism, symbolizing their scientific proficiency, integrity, responsibility and compassion when diagnosing and treating patients.
Likening the coat to a uniform, Dean and Chief Academic Officer Peter Bidey, DO '08, MSEd, FACOFP, centered his opening remarks on the significance of a doctor’s uniform. “My white
coat is my uniform that identifies me as a member of the healthcare team,” he said.
“You are going to receive yours today and become a part of my team, my doctor family.”
PCOM President and CEO Jay S. Feldstein, DO '81, emphasized the significance of the event and the role the white coat will play in the students' careers. “The white coat is synonymous with the virtues of altruism, duty, respect and compassion,” he said. “It confers a sense of responsibility and privilege. It's your transition from being a didactic student to a clinician. When you put on a white coat, your world shifts—you put the patient first.”
Barbara Williams-Page, DO, followed Feldstein's remarks with reflections on her own journey, first as a medical student and now as a practicing family medicine physician, imploring the students to relish the experience. “Enjoy this journey that begins when you put on the white coat,” she said. “Please do not rush this process. Instead, embrace and enjoy each step of this process.”
She also reflected on the broader symbolism of what the white coat means. “My white coat means ‘representation’,” she said. “Representation in what should be a diverse career.”
“Class of 2027, as you receive and wear your white coats today, remember and honor what it represents, but more importantly, remember and honor what you represent.”
Students and their families and friends gathered together at the Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue to celebrate this important step in their medical careers. This year's ceremony was also live-streamed on YouTube.
For the past 125 years, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a “whole person” approach to care—treating people, not just symptoms. PCOM, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and school psychology. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, and school psychology. PCOM students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, PCOM provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
Brandon Lausch
Executive Director, Strategic Communications
Email: brandonla@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6312 | Cell:
717-371-0609
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