A new generation of trainee doctors donned the symbolic white coat for the first time during a ceremony on Sept. 7 at Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar.
In front of faculty, family and friends, the annual White Coat Ceremony celebrated the achievements of the 41 students in the Class of 2018 and kicked off the next step in their medical school journeys.
"I am very excited to be starting the medical program because it feels like I am making real progress towards my goal of becoming a doctor," said first-year student Khalid Al-Marri, who was accepted into the medical program after completing the one-year foundation program as well as the two-year pre-medical program at WCMC-Q. "When I started the foundation program, it seemed like it would take forever to complete the entire seven years of training, but now I am nearly halfway and I am feeling so positive about the next challenge."
The White Coat Ceremony marked the end of Weill Cornell in Qatar's orientation program, during which the students met their classmates and faculty members, learned about the standards of professional conduct expected of them and received training on standard medical safety procedures.
First-year student Aljazi Al-Mana is coated by Dr. Javaid Sheikh.
"Donning the white coat for the first time has great significance for every young medical student,” said Dr. Javaid Sheikh, dean of WCMC-Q. “The white coat is symbolic of so many things — compassion, dedication and excellence — and by wearing it, the students commit themselves to the ideals encompassed in a medical career."
Dr. Stephen Scott, associate dean of student affairs, convened the event, and featured keynote speaker Dr. Ibrahim Ahmed Janahi, chairman of the Supreme Council of Health's Permanent Licensing Committee as well as executive director of medical research and program director for pediatric training programs at Hamad Medical Corporation.
The 41 first-year students — 27 women and 14 men — comprise 20 nationalities, including 11 from Qatar. They each will spend the next four years training in all aspects of medicine, and will learn from faculty members based in Qatar as well as from Weill Cornell Medical College in New York.
"For me, becoming a doctor is about being of service to the community and making a difference in people's lives," said first-year student Fatima Al-Maadid, who spent the last two years in WCMC-Q's pre-medical program. "To be able to help someone regain their health is something I think will bring me great happiness."