White Coat Ceremony Marks Start of Students' Journey at New Jersey Medical School

Cheers and applause filled Rutgers New Jersey Medical School's (NJMS)courtyard as 174 future physicians participated in the school's annual Barbara and Norman Seiden White Coat Ceremony - marking their formal entry into the study of medicine.

"Today marks a pivotal milestone as you forge ahead in medical school. Each of you, future leaders in medicine and research, should take great pride in your hard work and dedication - cornerstones that have brought you to this moment and will support your future in medicine," said Robert L. Johnson, the Sharon and Joseph L. Muscarelle Endowed Dean of NJMS and a 1972 NJMS graduate.

"This ceremony is more than a celebration; it's a testament to your purpose, and a reminder of the vast possibilities that lie ahead,'' Johnson told students during the Sept. 10 ceremony. "As you don your White Coats, wear them with pride and let them serve as a symbol of integrity, commitment, and compassion that will forever be etched into the fabric of your career."

The White Coat Ceremony is a rite of passage for medical students - underscoring their commitment to medical excellence, affirming their passion for patient care, and upholding the standards of the Hippocratic Oath, which they recited during the ceremony that was led by Maria L. Soto-Greene, executive vice dean and professor of Medicine at NJMS.

While this ceremony highlighted a collective milestone, each student brought their own story to the moment. For Madison Goodwin, a first-year medical student, interested in pursuing obstetrics and gynecology, the White Coat Ceremony held a special meaning. Her interest in medicine began in high school, where she attended Kent Place School in Summit, New Jersey when she enrolled in a bioethics program, which introduced her to the ethical responsibilities of doctors. The experience inspired her commitment to advocate for patients in marginalized communities.

"As an underrepresented minority in medicine, wearing my white coat symbolizes my role in advocating for underrepresented and minority patients, which motivates me to address health disparities by forming deep connections with the community NJMS serves."

Her classmate, David Kim, was inspired to pursue a medical career, after seeing family members with limited English proficiency struggle to navigate cultural and linguistic barriers in healthcare.

"I hope to become a physician who bridges communication gaps so patients of every background can feel understood, respected, and supported," Kim said.

He shared his fellow med students' feelings of pure jubilation, a deep sense of gratitude, and the promise of boundless opportunities that were palpable throughout the courtyard.

Kim, who is looking forward to studying endocrinology, added that his decision to attend NJMS was shaped by its location in Newark, where the city's multicultural population will provide invaluable experiences working with diverse patients.

"Newark is special and NJMS has a tradition of service, research, and advocacy for patients who often face barriers of care,'' Kim said. "There is no better place to begin my medical education than at an institution so deeply committed to both clinical excellence and equity."

This celebratory event was not just a new chapter for the Class of 2029, but also a historic moment that reflected the growing collaboration between Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS)and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. For the first time in 20 years, both schools started classes on the same day, July 21, marking a shared orientation week.

Students starting this year will graduate as part of the future Rutgers School of Medicine.

For Olivia Brzostek, a first-year student interested in exploring all areas of medicine, being part of this momentous occasion, was both humbling and exciting. Brzostek has always been fascinated by the complexity of the human body and is excited to engage directly with patients and build meaningful relationships with peers and professors.

"Wearing the white coat evokes a mix of emotions, including appreciation, a sense of purpose, and inspiration. It reminds me of the people who have supported me in reaching this milestone and reinforces the many reasons I chose to pursue a career in medicine," Brzostek said.