Feb 27, 2025

White Coat Ceremony marks milestone for MHSc in Laboratory Medicine students

Programs: Graduate, Programs: MHSc Lab Medicine, Agile education, Clinical Laboratory Services

A group of people in white laboratory coats smiling at the camera

By Kate McDonald

On January 23, 2025, students in the MHSc in Laboratory Medicine program in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine celebrated a significant milestone as they received their white coats. This ceremony symbolizes the transition from student to healthcare professional, emphasizing the responsibilities and ethical standards that come with the role.

During the ceremony, students donned their white coats and recited the Declaration of Geneva, a medical code of ethics that underscores the humanitarian nature of the medical profession. Originally established in 1948 and updated by the World Medical Association in 2017, the Declaration highlights the commitment to ethical medical practice.

The ceremony included first-year Pathologists’ Assistant (PA) students and both first and second-year Clinical Embryology (CE) students. These students will begin their clinical rotations in the summer, working with real patient samples in clinical laboratories.

The event was hosted by Graduate and Life Sciences Education Officer Beatrice Wong and attended by notable faculty members, including LMP Department Chair Dr. Rita Kandel, Program Co-Directors Dr. Heather Shapiro (CE) and Dr. Fang-I Lu (PA), PA Field Director Mr. Will Tsui, and Director of the Clinical Embryology Skills Development Laboratory Dr. Scot Hamilton. Friends and family also joined in the celebration.

Each student was called to the stage to receive their white coat and remained there to recite the Declaration of Geneva. Students then shared reflections on behalf of themselves and their cohorts.

Angélica Estévez, representing the Pathologists’ Assistant class, highlighted the importance of this milestone in their journey to becoming healthcare professionals. She remarked, “Today, as we receive these white coats, we recognize our commitment to ethical and compassionate patient care, and the immense trust that patients place in us - not only with their samples but potentially with the course of their lives. We also acknowledge the privilege and responsibility we carry to continuously learn and uphold the highest standards of our profession.”

Looking ahead, she added, “We eagerly look forward to our clinical rotations, offered in partnership with some of the world’s leading hospitals. These placements will provide us with the exceptional opportunity to work with a wide variety of specimens, collaborate with diverse healthcare professionals, and witness gross pathology firsthand - a remarkable experience that highlights the strength of this program.”

Sarah Qu, a first-year Clinical Embryology student, expressed her enthusiasm for her future career. “I look forward to a career as an embryologist. During the first week of class, Dr. Hamilton showed us around the CE skills lab, and by the end of it, we were all excited for the summer to try our hand at things. I hope we remember this initial excitement as we progress through our careers and the support we will provide for so many couples. I’m sure we’ll look back at our time in this program and appreciate the opportunity to learn about a profession that is so in demand right now.”

Raquel Rodrigues, representing the second-year Clinical Embryology cohort, spoke about the significance of the white coat. “Let the White Coat be a symbol of our advocacy for patients. Let the White Coat be a symbol of our continued learning and innovations in a field that is continually evolving. Let the White Coat symbolize our courage to speak up when we notice that something may be wrong and our commitment to correct it seamlessly.”

Dr. Shapiro noted, “In the first year of the program, the students are studying the topic, and in the second year, they are learning the practice. So, it’s a watershed moment of going from being traditional students to students of a profession and members of a profession.”

Mr. Tsui added, “The students partake in the serious and solemn ceremony, but at the same time, parents and friends of the students are also part of this great celebration.”