May 1, 2024 — Cheers and applause erupted from all levels of the stands, with the crowd singing along to the UF alma mater before the events of the afternoon came to an end.

These were scenes not from a Florida Gators football game but from the Mark S. Gold, M.D. ’75, Distinguished Professor and Alumnus White Coat Ceremony Sunday, April 28. On this momentous occasion for UF medical students, 138 members of the class of 2026 received personalized white coats to mark the transition into the clinical rotations that begin in their third year of studies.

“When you receive your white coat, you are joining a community, and when we wear our white coats together, we make a statement of our commitment to a calling, not just to a job,” Jennifer Hunt, M.D., M.Ed., interim dean of the UF College of Medicine, told the students during the ceremony at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

Hunt shared anecdotes about the many symbols the white coat represents — from a mark of professionalism and trust to a protective barrier against the elements of a clinic or even a makeshift blanket.

“When you receive the white coat of our profession, you are accepting all these symbols that come with it,” she said.

Raja Al-Bahou, president and academic chair of the class of 2026, thanked the educators and staff members at the college, as well as the loved ones who have stood behind him and his classmates every step of the way, before sharing a few thoughts with his peers.

“If you ask anyone who has gone to med school, they’ll tell you that time is so weird,” he said. “On one hand, it feels like time has passed so quickly, and we were just at orientation receiving our stethoscopes. On the other hand, it feels like we’ve been here forever.”

He noted that in such a brief amount of time, the class of 2026 community has grown to become a family.

“As we don our white coats today, let us not only recognize the significance of this symbolic gesture, but also acknowledge the immense responsibility that comes with it,” Al-Bahou said.

Shireen Madani Sims, M.D. ’01, the associate dean for student affairs, reminded students to recognize the privilege, extraordinary opportunities and gifts that come with being able to care for patients.

“Be present, be kind, be knowledgeable, and most importantly be you,” she said. “I’m proud of all of you and excited to see what you do next.”

UF Medicine alumni shared words of wisdom with the class of 2026 via notes placed in the pockets of the students’ new white coats. Read a few of the thoughts they shared below:

“Always put the patient front and center in any decisions you make. Their safety and quality outcomes are your duty and legacy.”

— James Duke, M.D. ’85

“The fun is about to begin; enjoy your clinical rotations.”

 — Brad Cherry, M.D. ’03

“Be proud of how far you have come and be confident in your abilities as you embark on the next part of your journey! Never lose your curiosity and always treat your patients the way you would want your family to be treated. Your patients will make all the long hours and tough moments worth it!”

 — Cary Aungst, M.D. ’10

“Let ethics guide you. See your patients as people who are doing the best they can with what they know. Good luck!”

— Pamela Coyle, M.D. ’69

“Medical school and residency are long journeys. Don’t spend so much time thinking about the destination that you miss the beautiful moments and friends you’ll make along the way. And always remember to have a little fun. You’ve got this!”

— Arman Elkaz, M.D. ’19