The Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell held its thirteenth White Coat Ceremony at the Long Island Marriott Grand Ballroom on Oct. 13.

Surrounded by family, friends, mentors, faculty, and school administrators, 101 first-year medical students came forward to be individually “cloaked” in the iconic white coat — the representative emblem of the medical field.

Established in 1993 by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, the White Coat Ceremony is a traditional rite of passage celebrated by medical schools throughout the country and represents a major step in the careers of medical students, marking their transition from students to medical professionals.

Unlike most medical schools, the Zucker School of Medicine presents the white coat to first-year students upon completion of their first course and emergency medical training, rather than at the beginning of their educational journey.

This is done to recognize the students as not just new learners but also as colleagues in medicine.

“We chose this path to provide extremely useful clinical skills, as well as symbolize our commitment to the integration of clinical medicine and science from the very first minutes of medical school through graduation. We at the Zucker School of Medicine believe that we are supporting and nurturing our students along a transformative path from person to professional,” explained Dr. David L. Battinelli, dean and Betsey Cushing Whitney Professor of Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine and executive vice president and physician-in-chief, Northwell Health. “To celebrate the first step on this journey, we perform the White Coat Ceremony at this time because they have earned this privilege.” With their Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certifications fresh in hand, the first-year students recited an adaptation of the Hippocratic Oath, pledging to “do no harm” while donning their white coats for the very first time during the ceremony.

Susan Poser, president of Hofstra University, also joined the ceremony and had the chance to address the Class of 2027.

“Today you receive your white coat, a symbol of humanism, that healthcare is all about people, about people in need. Today, you pledge to keep healthcare human and to care for your patients with dignity, compassion, empathy, and respect,” said Poser. “As you take that oath, may you be encouraged and reassured by all of these people who surround you here today, as well as those who could maybe not be here in person, that you will be very well supported in this journey, along with your family members, friends, mentors, faculty, peers and the entire community at Hofstra University.”

As Poser mentioned, the ceremony also emphasizes the value of humanism, which has been at the core of the medical profession since its inception.

Taranjeet Ahuja is the director of Humanism in Medicine, Communications co-leader and assistant professor of Science Education and Pediatrics at the Zucker School of Medicine and had the honor of coating the students during this year’s ceremony.

“The moment I don my white coat before seeing patients, I am reminded of the great responsibility the white coat brings forth.  It is a reminder of the responsibility I carry for the health of others in my hands.  It is a reminder of the person-centered care each of my patients deserves and seeing the patient in front of me as a person with a journey, a story, and not an illness,” emphasized Ahuja, who is also the chair of Pediatrics at Plainview Hospital, Northwell Health. “It’s important for students to remember the oath that they take during each patient interaction.  It is a privilege to be given access to the most vulnerable details of a patient and we must handle each person with genuine respect and care. Coating the next generation of physicians, whom I will trust with the care of my family and loved ones, is an absolute honor.”

Comprised of 101 students, the Zucker School of Medicine’s Class of 2027 is a highly diverse group with students from a mix of socioeconomic backgrounds, academic/career experiences, and walks of life.

The class represents 16 states and 47 colleges and universities across the country.

Rahul Ramanathan is a student in the BS-BA/MD 4+4 program at Hofstra University. This highly selective program allows students to earn their bachelor’s degree at Hofstra University while fulfilling all premedical course requirements and then automatically matriculate at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell upon completion of the bachelor’s degree.

Ramanathan credits his experience in the program for allowing him to explore fields outside of healthcare, which allows him to bring a unique lens to his current studies in healthcare.

“As a 4+4 student, I was able to explore fields outside of STEM — enabling me to develop a unique thinking pattern,” said Ramanathan, who earned his BS in biomedical engineering. “Since I did not need to worry as much about extracurriculars, as compared to a traditional medical school applicant, I was able to take classes in philosophy, religion, and fine arts which made me appreciate and view healthcare in a different light entirely. I am honored, excited, and so happy to be receiving my white coat.”

Echoing his sentiments, fellow classmate Priscilla Lee believes that the ceremony is an empowering step in many aspects of her life.

“I am incredibly excited to be receiving my White Coat, something that marks a significant milestone in both my academic, professional and personal journey. The white coat is representative of a solemn commitment between the healthcare provider and the patient: a promise that I will do my utmost best to provide, protect, and do good for my patients,” explained Lee, who hails from Roslyn. “I am primarily passionate about empowering patients to become their biggest advocates in healthcare decisions through the promotion of health literacy and emphasis on patient-centered decision-making. I am pursuing a career as a physician to promote health equity for all people.”

For many of the students, like Louis Aghanwa, receiving the iconic white coat exemplifies a lifelong dream come true. “Receiving the white coat validates the little boy in me who had dreams and would look into the future where everything seems so far away. The white coat represents opportunity, learning and dreams that I questioned if I’d ever be able to fulfill,” reflected Aghanwa, a Queens Village native.

Aghanwa is also a graduate of the Medical Scholars Pipeline Program at the Zucker School of Medicine, which seeks to expose and immerse underrepresented in medicine (URM) high school students from the five boroughs of New York City and Long Island to the numerous career paths available in the healthcare industry while enhancing the necessary skills for success. “I will always thank MSPP for the exposure to a career in healthcare. Those three summers that I spent in the program was something that opened my eyes to a future that was actually possible and one for me to be excited to be a part of,” said Aghanwa, crediting the MSPP for reaffirming his decision to pursue a career in medicine.