White coats mark the beginning of the journey
UC Irvine School of Medicine welcomes the Class of 2028
The journey to becoming a physician officially began for the UC Irvine School of Medicine’s class of 2028 as they donned their first white coats.
The White Coat Ceremony was held on Aug. 9 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, where 114 students celebrated this solemn, yet joyous rite of passage. Shared with more than 700 family, friends and loved ones in attendance, the new medical students were surrounded by cheers and applause as they proudly put on their white coats, symbolizing their new roles as doctors-in-training. Together, they recited the Hippocratic Oath, committing themselves to the principles of the medical profession.
Steeped in history, this ceremony is where these future physicians recited the medical student oath and received a pin from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation to seal their duty to providing excellent and compassionate healthcare. But as they embrace these time-honored traditions, they will also become leaders in transforming healthcare.
“At the UC Irvine School of Medicine, we are training you to be doctors of the future,” says Dr. Michael J. Stamos, dean of the School of Medicine. “You will help guide us to the next generation of healthcare and the achievement of a society where healthcare is perceived as a right, available to all. Health equity is a UCI Health pillar, and we are proud of our efforts in that regard, here in Orange County, one of the most socioeconomically diverse counties in the USA.”
The ceremony is part of an orientation process that ends with the start of classes on Aug. 12. It also marks the beginning of the lifelong friendships and deep connections students will forge, as they begin their collective journey to earning their M.D.
“I’m absolutely excited to be here,” said Varya Fayner, who earned her bachelor’s degree in from neurobiology at UC Berkeley and plans to earn a Ph.D. as well as her M.D. “I plan to specialize in neurodegenerative diseases, and the research opportunities available here in Alzheimer’s disease, spinal cord injuries and regenerative medicine are tremendous.”
Carlos Landaverde Peralta, who earned his bachelor’s degree in psychobiology at UCLA, plans to become a psychiatrist. “I’m looking forward to starting medical school and plan to enjoy the process as much as possible. I’ll be the first M.D. in my family, and they’ve given me a lot of support, so this ceremony is a big step for all of us.”
To learn more about supporting this or other activities at UC Irvine, please visit the Brilliant Future website. Publicly launched on Oct. 4, 2019, the Brilliant Future campaign aims to raise awareness and support for UCI. By engaging 75,000 alumni and garnering $2 billion in philanthropic investment, UCI seeks to reach new heights of excellence in student success, health and wellness, research and more. The School of Medicine plays a vital role in the success of the campaign. Learn more by visiting https://brilliantfuture.uci.edu/uci-school-of-medicine/.