First-year medical students celebrate milestone as they receive white coats marking start of their medical journey
Florida – At Florida State University College of Medicine, a bright new chapter begins for the Class of 2029 as they mark a significant milestone in their journey to becoming physicians: the White Coat Ceremony. Held in two distinct celebrations—an afternoon gathering by the iconic Westcott Fountain and an evening event at the Ruby Diamond Concert Hall—the ceremony serves as a rite of passage for first-year medical students. It is a moment to honor their dedication, hard work, and the beginning of their commitment to patient care.
Amid the crowd of classmates, families, and faculty, Malik Richardson stood out not just because of his sharp red shirt beneath the iconic white coat, but because of the profound sense of purpose he radiated. Selected by his peers as president of the M.D. Class of 2029, Richardson shared what the event meant to him. “It feels amazing,” he said. “As the president, my responsibility here is service, so I serve all my classmates and, in the future, God willing, as a physician, I will serve my patients as well. This white coat not only represents the love and compassion I have for all the patients that I interact with, but it truly is the embodiment of what it means to be a competent physician. Hopefully, I will embody an exemplary physician.”
The significance of the White Coat Ceremony extends far beyond the symbolic donning of the white coat. For the College of Medicine, this year’s class carries special weight as it marks the 25th cohort since the school’s inception. The institution, established a quarter-century ago, has since produced over 2,000 physicians, more than half of whom have completed residencies and are now actively practicing medicine. By the time Richardson and his classmates graduate in 2029, those numbers are expected to grow substantially, illustrating the enduring impact of the College of Medicine on healthcare in Florida and beyond.
The incoming class is as diverse as it is accomplished. Out of 6,700 applicants, 120 were selected after a rigorous process, which involved 263 interviews and 190 offers. These students come from a wide array of academic backgrounds, with majors ranging from traditional pre-med fields like biology and neuroscience to disciplines as varied as music, anthropology, and political science. Their life experiences are just as varied; 26 are first-generation college students, and 52 are considered non-traditional students who did not enter medical school directly after undergraduate studies. Nearly all hail from Florida, spanning 35 counties and speaking 22 languages collectively. They bring with them an impressive wealth of experience, including over 67,000 hours of research and 71,000 hours of community service.
Dean Alma Littles opened the ceremony with heartfelt remarks, emphasizing the transformation the students are about to undergo. “Wherever you come from, tonight’s ceremony will be something you will remember for the rest of your life,” she said. “You’ll be transformed by what it means to don the white coat, and you will gain new appreciation for the responsibility that goes along with it. You have had the opportunity this summer to bond with your classmates and to grow closer in your shared pursuit. You will lean on each other a lot in the years to come, and tonight I hope you will look around at your classmates and feel the shared sense of pride in what this ceremony represents.”
The evening’s event also included the induction of select fourth-year students into the Chapman Chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS). This honor society recognizes medical students who embody compassion, respect, empathy, integrity, and clinical excellence—qualities essential to the practice of medicine. Sixteen members of the Class of 2026 were inducted, with eleven present for the pinning ceremony.
One of the inductees, Katelyn Cornelius, shared a moving message with the incoming students. “As I reflect on medical school, I’ve realized that the most impactful lessons often don’t come from textbooks or lectures,” she said. “They come from people, patients, classmates and mentors who teach us compassion, vulnerability and trust.” Her words resonated deeply, reminding all present that medical education is not only about acquiring knowledge but also about developing the human qualities necessary for healing.
The keynote speaker for the evening was Dr. Marlisha Edwards, an alumna of the College of Medicine and a practicing family physician in Tallahassee. Dr. Edwards exemplifies the mission and vision of FSU’s medical school, having been actively involved as a student mentor and leader. She completed the college’s Bridge program before joining the Class of 2011 and has since earned multiple honors, including induction into both the Gold Humanism and Alpha Omega Alpha honor societies.
Her keynote speech blended humor with heartfelt stories, one of which centered on a personal experience involving her father’s critical illness. “There was young woman caring for her father at his bedside after he had been in the ICU for three weeks. She noticed that her father’s mental status had changed from the day prior. The ICU doctors were notified, and they assured her that her father was fine, but she felt uneasy. After a few hours, she took his temperature. Alarmed at the 103-degree fever, she was certain that he had bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis that came from a drain in his brain. It was placed three weeks prior to drain blood. Blood that collected after an unknown brain aneurysm caused pressure. Pressure that caused bleeding from a nearby jumble of abnormal blood vessels called an arteriovenous malformation, or AVM. An AVM that led to a subarachnoid hemorrhage. A subarachnoid hemorrhage that caused a thunderclap headache. A thunderclap headache that resulted in a 911 call. A 911 call that was placed by the daughter. The daughter that was in town to care for her father after a knee replacement. The daughter that trained at the FSU College of Medicine. The daughter that is me.”
This powerful narrative not only illustrated the importance of medical knowledge but also underscored the profound responsibility these students are undertaking. Dr. Edwards urged the new class to dedicate themselves fully to their studies. “So, I implore you all: Strive to new heights. Study smart. Study hard. Study as if the life of a loved one depends on it, because that could very well be the case. Make us proud. Put on that white coat. Dress the part.”
As the ceremony concluded, the atmosphere was filled with a blend of excitement, solemnity, and hope. For these new medical students, the white coat is more than a piece of clothing; it is a symbol of trust, duty, and compassion. It signifies the beginning of a journey that will challenge them intellectually, emotionally, and ethically.
This event is a reminder to all present—students, families, faculty, and the broader community—that the future of medicine rests in the hands of these dedicated individuals. Their commitment today reflects a brighter future for patient care, research, and medical leadership. As the Class of 2029 embarks on this demanding yet rewarding path, their white coats will serve as a constant reminder of the ideals they are pledged to uphold.
In the end, the White Coat Ceremony is not just a celebration of academic achievement but a solemn promise to the patients and communities these students will serve for years to come. It is a celebration of hope, compassion, and the enduring spirit of medicine.
