The Dean's List: A Few Things to Know in September

The DGSOM community officially recognized and welcomed its newest members, the class of 2028, on September 6 during the 29th White Coat Ceremony for our first-year medical students.

This rite of passage signifies a major turning point in the lives of our students, one in which concern for others and a focus on patient care is paramount. It is a time when family and friends support and participate in the students’ journey as they embark on one of the most fulfilling careers. The White Coat Ceremony provides a moment of celebration and commitment linking DGSOM faculty, alumni, and these promising students who represent the future of our profession.

The David Geffen School of Medicine has a rich educational environment that has attracted the most talented and sought-after medical students in the country since opening its doors in 1951. This year is no exception. There has never been a more important time to join the community of physicians as we place emphasis on addressing health care inequity and the social determinants of health. We are seeking to improve health care for all patients.

We stand at the edge of a major transformation in medicine. Innovative tools such as AI and machine learning continue to revolutionize the way we conduct research, understand disease, seek to predict and prevent disease, and thus promote health.

Near the end of the White Coat Ceremony, the class of 2028 repeated the DGSOM Hippocratic Oath, saying in part, “From this day forward, I will be different, recognized as a healer...Among those attributes that are respected in physicians, I will treasure compassion, empathy, and honesty.” These words inspire the new generation of physicians while reminding each of us why we are teachers, mentors, and healthcare providers.