Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine

V26 White Coat Ceremony

Cummings School tradition marks rite of passage for third-year veterinary students starting clinical rotations
The class of 2026 poses for the official White Coat portrait
The class of 2026 poses for the official White Coat portrait. Credit: Jeff Poole, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine

This past Friday, March 14, third-year students at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University were recognized in the traditional White Coat Ceremony at Worcester Technical High School. One hundred and four honorees received their "white coats," symbolizing the students' entry into clinical rotations.

Cummings School Dean and Henry and Lois Foster Professor Alastair Cribb, D.V.M., Ph.D., FCAHS, opened the ceremony, highlighting the invaluable experience students gain at Cummings School's teaching hospitals and clinics. He noted that when each student receives their white coat, a note from an alum with a message of congratulations and encouragement will be tucked into the pocket.

Tufts University Provost and Senior Vice President Caroline Attardo Genco, Ph.D., welcomed everyone on behalf of the University. She acknowledged the hard work the students put in over their first three years of veterinary school and the exciting chapter of starting clinics.

Melissa Mazan, D.V.M., DACVIM (LAIM), V93, associate dean of professional education and professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences, welcomed faculty, staff, families, friends, and most importantly the students to this celebration of a major milestone. "Receiving your first white coat symbolizes that you have completed the didactic phase of the curriculum and progressing into clinics," said Dr. Mazan. 

"To the class of 2026. We acknowledge your accomplishments and we are really proud of your success, it is with an enormous amount of pride that we welcome you into clinics."

The president of the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA), Dr. Monica Mansfield, welcomed the V26s as the MVMA's newest members. "Never forget that whether you go into infectious disease, work or large animal work or companion animal work, it's all so valuable," shared Dr. Mansfield.

The V26s selected Ray Kudej, D.V.M., Ph.D., DACVS, associate professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences, as the faculty speaker. Dr. Kudej said, "But what is it - receiving your white coat - a symbol of compassion and service? It's a ritual to let you know that you're shedding your role as professional test takers, which you all are, and you're becoming a veterinarian, a healthcare provider, and a colleague."

Welcoming V26s to clinics, Courtney Wallner, V25, said, "You have all worked so hard to get here, and I promise my feelings will not be hurt when you don't remember this speech, or anyone else who spoke at this ceremony. But it is so so important that you do remember how you got this far and look to those reasons for the motivation to keep going."

Students were then formally presented with their white coats by Dominik Faissler, Dr.Med.Vet., DECVN, associate professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences, and Laurence Sawyer, D.V.M., V99, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences.

All V26s then stood in their new white coats to recite the Veterinary Student Oath, led by Flo Tseng, D.V.M., professor in the Department of Infectious Disease & Global Health, associate dean for Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Climate & ad interim assistant dean for Student Affairs. The oath, written by the members of the class of 2005, affirms the importance of professionalism in veterinary medicine. In front of family, friends, and Cummings School faculty and staff, the V26s recited:

Veterinary Student Oath

It is with great honor that we accept our white coats on this special day. 

It is with strength and humility that we shoulder all the responsibility they represent. 

We pledge to use them not as a shield, but a gesture of comfort and hope for those entrusted to our care. 

From this day forward, we will strive to promote lasting alliances in health, maintain professional integrity, and provide compassionate care for all in need.

Adam Ward, D.V.M., assistant clinical professor in the Department of Ambulatory Medicine & Theriogenology, closed out the ceremony with congratulations to the V26s. Dr. Ward encouraged students with one of his favorite quotes: In a world where you can be anything, be kind. He said, "Be kind to one another, be kind to your patients and your clients. Be kind to your loved ones, and most importantly, be kind to yourself."

V26s then gathered for the official class photo and were congratulated by family and friends.

A group of students, adorned in their medical white coats, proudly celebrate their white coat ceremony.

 

A young person, dressed in his medical white coat, stands beside an older person, who is wearing sunglasses and a blue and white floral sweater.

 

three people standing close together posing for a photo in front of a stage.

 

An individual stands at a podium, with large white V26 letters prominently displayed next to them.

 

An individual who has received his medical white coat walks across the stage with his hands raised in the air, celebrating his achievement.

 

The class of V26 veterinary students, standing facing the stage, received their white coats and recited the veterinary oath.

 

A family standing together for a photo, celebrating their daughter’s milestone achievement of receiving the white coat.

 

Parents proudly stand in front of a blue backdrop with their V26 veterinary student, who has just received their medical white coat.

V26 White Coat Ceremony, Photos by Jeff Poole, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University

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