Annual White Coat Ceremony Honors V27s

On March 13, third-year students at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University were recognized in the traditional White Coat Ceremony at Tuckerman Hall in Worcester, MA. One hundred and six honorees received their "white coats," symbolizing not only knowledge and skill, but also professionalism, responsibility, and a commitment to compassionate care. 

Cummings School Dean and Henry and Lois Foster Professor Alastair Cribb, D.V.M., Ph.D., FCAHS, opened the ceremony. “To the class of 2027, you are ready to enter your clinical year and to experience what our clinics and hospitals have to offer. You will apply what you have learned, continue to grow as clinicians, and deepen your understanding of what it means to serve patients, clients, and communities.”

Melissa Mazan, D.V.M., DACVIM (LAIM), V93, associate dean of professional education and professor in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, delivered the welcome address. “To the Class of 2027, we acknowledge your accomplishment of completing the preclinical curriculum today. We have taught you to the best of our ability and are very proud of your success in reaching this point in your training. With great pride, we welcome you to clinics.”

The class selected Ekele Ikpegbu, D.V.M., M.Sc., Ph.D., assistant teaching professor in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology, as the faculty speaker for the ceremony. “I started at Cummings School at the same time as the V27s, so, we are classmates! Every day during your rotation, when the clinic closes, take some time to ask yourself, ‘what could I have done to be friendly’? Some cases will humble you. Some feedback will stretch you. But remember, growth is not linear, mastery comes in waves. Take care of yourself.”

Welcoming V27s to clinics, Emily Sharp, V26, shared, “Lend a hand to people who are struggling. It’s ok to not know the answer to every question, just make sure you know the answer the second time you are asked. Make sure you collaborate. Lean on your technicians, they run the hospital, they know so much. Say please and thank you. Take your personal days, you’re allowed to just sit for a while. The happier you are, the better you will be working.”

Each student then received their white coat from Raymond Kudej, D.V.M., Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, and Isabelle Louge, D.V.M., assistant clinical professor in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences. 

Current past-president of the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA), Dr. Monica Mansfield, welcomed the V27s as the MVMA's newest members and led the class in the Student Veterinary Oath. 

Veterinary Oath

Being admitted to the clinical year of the doctor of veterinary medicine professional program, I solemnly swear to develop and use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge. 

I will learn and practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics. 

I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence.

Dean Cribb offered a final congratulations to the V27s to wrap up the the ceremony and invited students and guests to the reception.