CMSRU welcomes 113 future physicians at the 2024 White Coat Ceremony

Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU) celebrated a significant milestone on Friday, August 9, as 113 members of the Class of 2028 donned their white coats for the first time during the school’s annual White Coat Ceremony. This time-honored event, held at Pfleeger Concert Hall, marked the students' formal entry into the medical profession and their commitment to the values of integrity, compassion, and excellence.

The ceremony opened with a warm welcome from CMSRU Dean Annette C. Reboli, MD, who congratulated the students and acknowledged the unwavering support of their families. “This event is a celebration not only of your hard work and dedication, but also of the love and sacrifices of those who have supported you on this incredible journey,” said Dr. Reboli. She emphasized the significance of the white coat, not merely as a symbol of the medical profession but as a representation of the commitment to lifelong learning and patient care. “Our role over the next four years is to help you become the person who fills your white coat with the attitudes and skills worthy of our noble profession.”

Rowan University President Ali Houshmand, PhD, also greeted the students, highlighting the transformative growth of Rowan University and the pivotal role CMSRU plays within the institution. “Cooper Medical School is a shining light for Rowan University, and its success is integral to our continued rise on the national stage,” he said. “As you begin your journey, you are joining a community that is deeply committed to making a positive impact in the world.”

The ceremony’s keynote speaker, Karin Muraszko, MD, a trailblazing neurosurgeon and the first woman to chair an academic neurosurgery department in the United States, shared her inspiring journey with the students, urging them to face the challenges ahead with courage and compassion. She spoke of the “magic” of the white coat, explaining how it bestows respect on the wearer and serves as a symbol of the incredible responsibilities that come with the medical profession. Dr. Muraszko is a professor of neurosurgery at the University of Michigan.

A special moment in the ceremony was the presentation of the Rowan University Medal of Excellence to Dr. Edward Viner, a founding partner in the development of CMSRU. Dr. Viner, recognized for his exceptional contributions to medical education and patient care, was honored for his dedication to nurturing compassionate physicians through the Center for Humanism, which was recently named in his honor.

The highlight of the event was the ceremonial cloaking of the students in their white coats. Students were called one-by-one to the stage, where they were cloaked in their white coats by faculty mentors. Each student also received a new stethoscope compliments of the Medical Staff of Cooper University Health Care. In addition, family, friends, and mentors provided inspirational notes that were placed in the pockets of the students’ white coats.

Senior Associate Dean for Admissions William Kocher, MD, then led the first-year students in reciting a modern version of the Hippocratic Oath for the first time. The oath underscored the students’ commitment to the highest standards of the medical profession. All guests who were physicians were invited to stand and renew their commitment by participating in the recitation as well.

Dean Reboli closed the event with words of encouragement, reminding the students of the profound impact they will have in the field of medicine. “Congratulations to each and every one of you on this momentous occasion. I look forward to seeing the incredible contributions you will make in the years to come.”

CMSRU’s 113 new first year medical students join the 346 students already attending the school, bringing enrollment to 459 students. Seventy-five percent of the Class of 2028 hail from New Jersey, and 16 are Rowan University alumni.