Future Doctor David

David's White Coat Ceremony

September 26 2009

We were proud to attend nephew David's "White Coat Ceremony," designed to mark the entrance of new medical school students into the study of medicine. Lincoln Memorial University, DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM), is located in the small town of Harrogate, Tennessee.

Although we had rain all weekend for this event, it did not dampen the spirits of the students or proud family attendees.

We enjoyed a Friday afternoon Bar-B-Que, followed by the Saturday ceremony, tour of the campus facilities, and informal chats with faculty.

Pulled pork, broiled chicken, and plenty of additional food was prepared by second year students and staff for the guests (including the Master BBQ Chef, Vice President and Dean of LMU-DCOM, Dr. Ray Stowers, with back to camera in photo below, tending the chicken).

Back in David's house, where he lives with two other med-students, we all got treatments, on Daddy's table.

Though David is a beginner, he already has great hands. His grandfather (Margy's Daddy) was an osteopath, as well as 5 other family members. He helped us to feel loose, but not as flexible as David himself!

The morning of the White Coat Ceremony, we awoke to showers again. Fortunately, they had an indoor plan.

Lincoln Memorial University was chartered on Lincoln's birthday, February 12, in 1897.

Margy's sister, Bibba, and her son, David, arrived before us at the indoor stadium where the event was to be held. The new class of future doctors totaled 162 students, out of over 2,000 that had applied. David was part of a select few now beginning their studies for a new career. We are all proud of him!

Preparations were excellent. We were greeted with a brass band, and each of the student's seats were set with their coat.

Bibba's first photo of her son David's White Coat.

All attendees stood to honor the procession of students, future doctors, class of 2013.

David seemed to be enjoying himself as the ceremony began.

Three seats over from David sat one of his roommates, Daniel, in white shirt, listening attentively.

With students seated, the speeches began.

While some were too young to appreciate the importance of this special ceremony, the rest of us looked on with pride.

Proud Aunt, proud Mother.

One by one, in alphabetical order, they crossed the stage to have the jacket put on, and then receive faculty congratulations.

The Coating Ceremony: David has his first medical White Coat! Behind David above is Peter DeBusk, the man who caused LMU to build DCOM..

David's looking more like a doctor by the minute!

Final step: The Osteopathic Pledge of Commitment. All students stood to recite the pledge.

The Osteopathic Pledge of Commitment

As members of the osteopathic medical profession, in an effort to instill loyalty and strengthen the profession, we recall the tenets on which this profession is founded: the dynamic interaction of mind, body and spirit; the body's ability to heal itself; the primary role of the musculoskeletal system; and preventive medicine as the key to maintain health. We recognize the work our predecessors have accomplished in building the profession, and we commit ourselves to continuing that work.

"I pledge to:

- Provide compassionate, quality care to my patients;

- Partner with them to promote health;

- Display integrity and professionalism throughout my career;

- Advance the philosophy, practice and science of osteopathic medicine;

- Continue life-long learning;

- Support my profession with loyalty in action, word and deed; and

- Live each day as an example of what an osteopathic physician should be."

The recessional, to a standing ovation by all attendees, followed by our photos, hugs and kisses for our future family doctor, David.

We all beamed with pride.

Then the photo opportunities continued.

Before leaving the stadium, we had a friendly chat with the Vice President and Dean, Dr. Ray E. Stowers. He had nice things to say about David.

From the stadium, we crossed campus to visit the DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, a stand-alone building dedicated to medical studies. We met faculty members and toured various labs and excellent teaching facilities.

This artwork, fitting for the setting, was exhibited in one of the large open spaces. The modern building has outstanding facilities for learning, studying, and simulation of real-world patient issues.

This large room is dedicated to teaching students manipulation techniques. With over 40 fully adjustable tables, 80 students can pair-up to practice on each other, guided by an experienced doctor. Overhead flat-screen monitors allow close-up views of techniques and instruments, such as tracheal intubation (breathing tube insertion) that we saw with a dummy simulating a patient's lungs and head.

David showed us one of many skeleton models, some of which are color coded and numbered so students can learn function and structure. David's classmate demonstrates the familiarity that soon becomes natural among these friends.

The anatomy laboratory was a fascinating stop in our tour. Inside the locked stainless steel boxes are the cadavers that David and other students dissect.

David's anatomy instructor, left, was a delightful and friendly person who explained how the instructional process works, thoroughly exhibiting his passion for teaching future doctors. Video cameras and monitors again are used in this lab for close-up views to aid in the understanding of the intricacy of body parts. The room was immaculate and odor free.

Patient simulations.

High-tech life-like models are used to simulate patient conditions that the future doctors are trained to evaluate.

Following the Friday and Saturday events of Bar-B-Que, White Coat Ceremony and tours, we returned to David's house to share our photos of the weekend. We were so happy to have been able to include this special stop on our way south from New Hampshire to Florida, transitioning from summer to fall locations.

We are proud of David and look forward to his successful completion of Medical School, and then family practice some years from now. We all need his treatments!

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We were proud to attend nephew David's "White Coat Ceremony," designed to mark the entrance of new medical school students into the study of medicine. Lincoln Memorial University, DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM), is located in the small town of Harrogate, Tennessee.


Although we had rain all weekend for this event, it did not dampen the spirits of the students or proud family attendees.


		We enjoyed a Friday afternoon Bar-B-Que, followed by the Saturday ceremony, tour of the campus facilities, and informal chats with faculty.


Pulled pork, broiled chicken, and plenty of additional food was prepared by second year students and staff for the guests (including the Master BBQ Chef, Vice President and Dean of LMU-DCOM, Dr. Ray Stowers, with back to camera in photo below, tending the chicken).


		Back in David's house, where he lives with two other med-students, we all got treatments, on Daddy's table.

		Though David is a beginner, he already has great hands. His grandfather (Margy's Daddy) was an osteopath, as well as 5 other family members. He helped us to feel loose, but not as flexible as David himself!


The morning of the White Coat Ceremony, we awoke to showers again. Fortunately, they had an indoor plan.

Lincoln Memorial University was chartered on Lincoln's birthday, February 12, in 1897.


		Margy's sister, Bibba, and her son, David, arrived before us at the indoor stadium where the event was to be held. The new class of future doctors totaled 162 students, out of over 2,000 that had applied. David was part of a select few now beginning their studies for a new career. We are all proud of him!


Preparations were excellent. We were greeted with a brass band, and each of the student's seats were set with their coat.


All attendees stood to honor the procession of students, future doctors, class of 2013.


While some were too young to appreciate the importance of this special ceremony, the rest of us looked on with pride.


One by one, in alphabetical order, they crossed the stage to have the jacket put on, and then receive faculty congratulations.

		The Coating Ceremony: David has his first medical White Coat! Behind David above is Peter DeBusk, the man who caused LMU to build DCOM..

Final step: The Osteopathic Pledge of Commitment. All students stood to recite the pledge.


		The recessional, to a standing ovation by all attendees, followed by our photos, hugs and kisses for our future family doctor, David.


From the stadium, we crossed campus to visit the DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, a stand-alone building dedicated to medical studies. We met faculty members and toured various labs and excellent teaching facilities.


		This artwork, fitting for the setting, was exhibited in one of the large open spaces. The modern building has outstanding facilities for learning, studying, and simulation of real-world patient issues.


This large room is dedicated to teaching students manipulation techniques. With over 40 fully adjustable tables, 80 students can pair-up to practice on each other, guided by an experienced doctor. Overhead flat-screen monitors allow close-up views of techniques and instruments, such as tracheal intubation (breathing tube insertion) that we saw with a dummy simulating a patient's lungs and head.


David showed us one of many skeleton models, some of which are color coded and numbered so students can learn function and structure. David's classmate demonstrates the familiarity that soon becomes natural among these friends.


The anatomy laboratory was a fascinating stop in our tour. Inside the locked stainless steel boxes are the cadavers that David and other students dissect.

		David's anatomy instructor, left, was a delightful and friendly person who explained how the instructional process works, thoroughly exhibiting his passion for teaching future doctors. Video cameras and monitors again are used in this lab for close-up views to aid in the understanding of the intricacy of body parts. The room was immaculate and odor free.


		Patient simulations.

High-tech life-like models are used to simulate patient conditions that the future doctors are trained to evaluate.