Whiddon College of Medicine Class of 2028 Cloaked with White Coats

Posted on June 26, 2026

Third-year medical student Andrew Busby, dressed in a white coat, joins his classmates in reciting the Medical Student Oath. data-lightbox='featured'

Third-year medical student Tahj Jones joins his classmates in reciting the Medical Student Oath, reaffirming their commitment to the humanistic principles of medicine.

Marking their transition into clinical training, 78 third-year medical students at the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine were cloaked with white coats during a ceremony June 24 at the Mitchell Center.

The students recited the Medical Student Oath, reaffirming their commitment to the humanistic principles of medicine, including compassion, sensitivity, integrity and respect for others.

The event also included an induction ceremony for the USA chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS), which recognizes individuals who exemplify compassionate, patient-centered care. Faculty inductees Dr. Hamayun Imran and Dr. Ashley Williams Hogue encouraged students to carry empathy, resilience and service into the next phase of their medical education.

Imran, a professor of pediatrics and pediatric hematologist/oncologist at USA Health, reflected on difficult conversations with families facing life-changing diagnoses.

“I cannot count how many times in my career I have been asked by a child’s family, ‘What if this were your child? Would you still choose the same chemotherapy treatment?’” Imran said. “That question cuts to the core, and only a grounding in empathy can guide you through it.”

Acknowledging the frustrations and obstacles physicians encounter, Imran emphasized the importance of remaining focused on what best serves patients. “You remain the patient’s advocate,” he said. “That is your North Star.”

He reminded students that humanism is reflected in everyday actions and relationships with patients and colleagues.

“We are not here because we are perfect,” Imran said. “We are here because we keep trying. We keep listening. We keep respecting each other. We keep enduring. And because we care.”

Medical Student hugging family member at Class of 2028 White Coat Ceremony.

Three Gold Humanism Honor Society Inductees walking outside.

Third-year medical students taking a picture in their white coat.

Gold Humanism Honor Society Inductees pinning each other on stage.

The White Coat Ceremony marked the transition of 78 third-year medical students to clinical training (photos 1 and 3). It also included the induction of new members into the USA chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society, which recognizes compassionate, patient-centered care (photos 2 and 4).

Echoing the themes of resilience and purpose, Williams, an associate professor of surgery and a trauma and burn surgeon at USA Health, encouraged students to embrace the opportunities and challenges of their clinical years while remaining grounded in humanity.

She reminded students that “what is artificial can never be real.” While technology can enhance patient care, she said, it cannot replace the empathy and human connection physicians provide.

“Only you can sit with a family who just lost their 12-year-old son to a flying bullet,” Williams said. “Only you can hold the hand of a young woman diagnosed with advanced breast cancer and cry with her because you, too, know loss. You, too, can feel. You, too, can empathize.”

Williams also challenged students to invest in future generations of physicians and leaders.

“If you climb, send the elevator back down,” she said. “If you learn, teach. If you succeed, mentor. If you are blessed, bless others. Because the true measure of a physician is not how high they rise. It is how many people rise because they were here.”

Representing the Class of 2028, class president Anne Elizabeth Crowell reflected on the qualities that have defined her classmates throughout their first two years of medical school.

“If I had to pick one word to describe what I have seen from this class over the past two years, the word would be passion,” Crowell said. “Passion for medicine, passion for advocacy, passion for supporting one another, and compassion for patients and their families.”

Crowell said she has witnessed classmates devote countless hours to studying, conducting research, and pursuing service and leadership opportunities while remaining committed to their future patients. She expressed confidence that the compassion they have demonstrated throughout their training will become one of their greatest strengths as they begin caring for patients.

“It's because the hearts on our white sleeves will make us exceptional physicians,” Crowell said. “Patients can and will trust us in their darkest hour and most vulnerable moments.”

Congratulating her classmates, Crowell expressed confidence that the qualities that brought them to this milestone will continue to guide them through the challenges ahead.

“May we never lose the passion that brought us here today,” she said, “and may we carry it with us into every patient room and wear it proudly on our white sleeves.”

White Coat Ceremony is sponsored in part by the USA Medical Alumni Association.

Group photo of the Whiddon College of Medicine Class of 2028 in their white coats.

As the Class of 2028 enters its third year, its members transition from classroom-based learning to hands-on clinical rotations in hospitals and clinics.

Gold Humanism Honor Society Inductees:

The Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award: Charles “Caleb” Butts, M.D., Associate Professor of Surgery

Faculty