Trinity Holds 10th September White Coat Ceremony, Commemorates a Decade of Medical Education

Group of students during Trinity's White Coat Ceremony

In 2008, Trinity School of Medicine opened its doors to its charter class, welcoming a small group of only a couple dozen students to the new medical school.

Earlier this month, Trinity Medical Sciences University’s school of medicine held the white coat ceremony, welcoming the class of 2022 and commemorating ten years of success and growth.  Read up on the ceremony itself, check out the photo gallery and event video (links below), and meet our new students.

The September 2018 White Coat Ceremony was presided over by an array of VIPs including his excellency Sir Frederick Ballantyne, MD, governor general of St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Dr. Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Steve Wilson, president of Trinity; Linda Adkison, dean of Trinity; Hon. Luke Browne, minister of health and the environment; Dr. Richard N. Scott, dean of clinical clerkships and the day’s keynote speaker; Dr. Frances Jack-Edwards, associate dean of admissions and student affairs; and Keith Hollers, director of student services.  

Opening remarks from Dean Adkison, Prime Minister Gonsalves, and President Wilson addressed incoming students and their friends and family, as well as Trinity faculty and staff, and the student welcoming committee.

Prime Minster Gonsalves formally welcomed the new students to St. Vincent as both head of state and supporter of the school’s impact on the island’s healthcare system and community at large. Dr. Adkison assured the students they were in excellent hands while warmly encouraging them to live up to the high standards set by their colleagues, and to prepare themselves for the tremendous work yet to come.

President Wilson introduced a perennial Trinity favorite, the Words of Wisdom video featuring recent graduates discussing how they felt coming to Trinity, passing on advice, and discussing their own future residencies. 

Finally, Richard N. Scott, MD took the podium as keynote speaker. Drawing on his experiences as a practicing physician and clinical leader, Dr. Scott spoke on the evolving demands of medical school and gave the new students unique insight on the clinical elements of the program.

He reminded the students of the significant responsibility that comes with putting on the white coat.  He was clear that, “It’s not just the white coat, but what it represents and the burden it carries.” 

At the conclusion of Dr. Scott’s remarks, the new medical students rose and were given their white coats by members of the faculty at both Trinity and Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, Trinity’s affiliated teaching hospital. The day concluded with a reception on the nearby Young Island before the students were brought back to housing, ready to begin their classes the following Tuesday.

Click Through for Event Photo Gallery

The White Coat Ceremony itself is symbolic, a commemoration of the next steps students are taking towards their future in medicine. At Trinity it’s also a covenant between the school and the students. That covenant states that students pledge to bring their work ethic and dedication to their studies, their communities, and the practice of medicine.

By that same token, the school pledges its confidence in their ability to succeed as well and an unrivaled early clinical experience, a unique culture of support, and faculty and administration focused on providing them with the tools they need to thrive. While each ceremony is memorable, this September 2018 event coinciding with the school’s 10th anniversary is a signal not just to the students themselves, but the greater medical academic community of what Trinity has accomplished and the great successful students yet to come from the small school and its unique approach to medical education.

Please join us in welcoming these students to our school and wishing them the absolute best over the next four years and don’t forget to click through to the gallery! For family and friends that missed the ceremony, you can also watch a highlight video on our YouTube channel.

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