Students in College of Medicine – Tucson’s Class of 2029 receive white coats

Wednesday
A new medical student laughs as a smiling professor helps him put on his white coat.

Aryan Eksambe (left) jokes with Ramesh Karra, MD, a clinical associate professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, as Eksambe struggles to put on his coat during the college’s annual white coat ceremony.

Photo by Kris Hanning, U of A Health Sciences Office of Communications

The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson welcomed its Class of 2029 during its annual white coat ceremony July 25 at Centennial Hall. The Class of 2029 is comprised of 58% women and 42% men and has an average age of 24. Of the 120 students, 86 are from Arizona, 16% are first-generation college students and 19% had a rural upbringing.

“I encourage each of you to seek and find opportunities, wherever you might find them, to fulfill every word expressed in your oath.,” said Michael M.I. Abecassis, MD, MBA, the Inaugural Humberto and Czarina Lopez Endowed Dean of the College of Medicine – Tucson and a member of the BIO5 Institute. “I would also urge you to constantly challenge yourself and each other, through improved knowledge and compassion, to find a way to make a difference in the lives of every patient you come across.

“And when you find yourself struggling or dealing with a difficult situation, which you will, please remember that you are not alone. You are surrounded by people who will support you through any adversity you encounter along your journey.”

Additional information on the ceremony and several student profiles can be found on the Health Sciences website. 

Seven female medical students stand together, smiling, while holding medical white coats over their arms.
A smiling Professor Kevin F. Moynahan, MD, dressed in a medical white coat, leads a group of first-year medical students down a sidewalk outside a brick building.
More than 100 U of A College of Medicine – Tucson professors and first-year medical students wave as they wait in chairs backstage at Centennial Hall.
A first-year medical student wearing a medical white coat looks back and smiles at his mentor, a doctor who is also wearing a medical white coat, while standing onstage.
A first-year medical student wearing a medical white coat looks back and smiles at her mentor, a doctor who is also wearing a medical white coat, while standing onstage.
A new medical student smiles as a professor helps him put on his white coat.
A first-year medical student wearing a medical white coat smiles and gives two thumbs up as she walks across a stage.
A medical student and his professor, both wearing white coats, smile as they bump fists onstage.
A first-year medical student, smiling and wearing a white medical coat, shakes hands with the dean of the college, who is also wearing a white coat.
A first-year medical student holds his arms out and laughs as a professor standing behind him helps him put on a medical white coat.
Several first-year medical students wearing white coats smile and celebrate as they walk outside Centennial Hall after their white coat ceremony.
A medical professor in a white coat smiles and raises her arms in celebration while walking with other professors and students outside.
A first-year medical student wearing a white medical coat smiles and holds flowers while standing with smiling family members outside.
Four smiling young women stand together and flash the U of A Wildcat hand sign. One is wearing a medical white coat and the other three are wearing white T-shirts with large black lettering spelling out “Dr. Sumi,” with two large letters on each shirt.
A first-year medical student wearing a shirt and tie stands with his arm around his younger cousin, who is wearing his medical white coat. The coat is very large on the younger cousin.
The 120 members of the College of Medicine – Tucson Class of 2029, along with faculty mentors, stand together outside a building with large columns and stairs. All are wearing medical white coats.