White Coat Ceremony recognizes first-year students
LEWISBURG, W.Va. – First-year medical students were welcomed into the osteopathic medical profession and donned with white coats during the 13th annual Convocation and White Coat Ceremony at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) on Aug. 27.
The Class of 2015 consists of 220 students — representing 85 West Virginia residents and 135 out-of-state residents.
WVSOM President Dr. Michael Adelman began the ceremony by telling students the white coat symbolizes the beginning of their four-year journey into the osteopathic medical profession.
"In many ways the white coat will grow with you. It starts out with its pockets empty and as you gain knowledge and skills as a physician the white coat pockets get filled," Adelman told the class.
Dr. Manny Ballas, a graduate of the Class of 1993 and physician in Weirton, took the medical students and their families on a historical journey during his keynote speech.
Dr. Ballas spoke of the four WVSOM founders, which included Frank Wallington, Carlton Apgar, Don Newell and O.J. Bailes.
"Their dream was realized when they started to build their vision," he said. "To accomplish this it would take the work and help of many."
Dr. Ballas provided guests with a vision of what the school was like when the founders dreamed of the school in the early 1970s and how far the school has come in being one of the world's best medical schools.
"This school is young and already has a glorious past," he said.
Dr. Ballas also emphasized that students should not forget what it is going to take for them to reach their dream as well as help others reach theirs.
"How many of you are here because you have a dream?" he said. " A dream to become a doctor, an osteopathic physician. After what I've told you you should realize that WVSOM is a place where dreams come true.
"This is your adventure. This is your dream. Make the most of it," he added.
First-year student Christina Chen said she was excited to start her journey as a physician.
"Being coated by a D.O. — someone who is in the profession — is just amazing and you feel like you're a part of it now," she said. "This is a lifelong dream that I've been working on for so long."
A big screen projection was used during the ceremony so guests could have a better view of the stage.
A live video stream on the Internet was available for those who could not attend the ceremony.