‘You have arrived’: UC College of Medicine welcomes Class of 2029 at 30th White Coat Ceremony

The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine celebrated a new era of physicians as it welcomed the Class of 2029 at its 30th annual White Coat Ceremony on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. Held at the Aronoff Center for the Arts, the event marked the official entry of 175 first-year students into the medical profession as they donned their white coats for the first time, a symbolic transformation into their new roles.

Gregory C. Postel, MD, dean of the College of Medicine, Christian R. Holmes endowed professor, executive vice president for health affairs at UC and chair of the UC Health Board of Directors, opened the ceremony by extending a warm welcome to the Class of 2029, their families and friends — calling the White Coat Ceremony one of the most meaningful milestones in a student’s medical school journey.

"To the Class of 2029, a heartfelt welcome to the MedCat family," Postel said. “This is a profound moment for you and your support team. The donning of the white coat is a symbol of trust, professionalism and a commitment to compassionate care. It represents the beginning of your journey into the noble calling of medicine."

Postel highlighted the class’ impressive statistics. The students, selected from a highly competitive pool of nearly 5,000 applicants, hail from 24 states and 68 different colleges and universities, boasting an average GPA of 3.81 and an average MCAT score of 514.

He also shared a heartwarming anecdote from their orientation week, noting that this class, many of whom had just met, were interacting "with incredible excitement... it looked like a group of people who had known each other for years. To me, this is a very good sign that this is going to be a close-knit group."

This year’s keynote address was delivered by Bi A. Awosika, MD, assistant dean for admissions and associate professor of clinical in the Department of Internal Medicine. She was selected by the College of Medicine's Class of 2025 as the faculty recipient of the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award at this year's Honors Day Ceremony. 

Awosika, a first-generation physician, moved the audience with a powerful message of resilience, servant leadership and the enduring importance of human connection in health care.

"You have arrived," Awosika declared to the Class of 2029. "Your arrival is not just a statement. It means that for you, one day, your words of counseling will push someone to see beyond their failures — that the trust you build with your patients is the gateway to healing."

She concluded her inspiring message by offering three key lessons for the class: "Please don't let those moments of adversity hinder you from reaching your full potential. Continue to expand and surround yourself with a village of support," she said. And "know your worth."

Following the keynote, the presentation of white coats and pins to each member of the Class of 2029 was led by Dawn S. Bragg, PhD, associate dean for student affairs. Awosika, along with Philip M. Diller, MD, PhD, senior associate dean for educational affairs, served as coaters, while Heather A. Dlugosz, MD, associate professor of clinical in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience and president of the College of Medicine Alumni Executive Council, presented each student with a commemorative pin.

Bragg reminded students that the white coat symbolizes much more than the start of their medical career. “Wear your white coat with pride and purpose,” she said. “It marks your commitment to compassionate care, professionalism and lifelong learning.”

One of the most anticipated moments of the ceremony was the recitation of the Class Oath of Professionalism. Written collaboratively by the Class of 2029 during their orientation week, the oath was led by student representative Asa Stevens and reflected the class’s collective values and aspirations.

The students recited their commitment to "uphold the tradition of excellence while pioneering the future in medicine," and promised to "respect the sanctity of each life entrusted to us by providing compassionate and accessible care."

In his closing remarks, Postel reflected on the symbolism of the white coat and the responsibilities that come with it.

“Knowledge alone will not be enough. While the white coat is a symbol of entry into the medical profession, we all know that the hard work, the dedication and the sacrifice now begin,” Postel said. “You will need passion and compassion. As physician William Osler once said, ‘The practice of medicine is an art, not a trade; a calling in which your heart and head will be equally challenged.’ This is your calling — and we are honored to support you on your journey.”

The event concluded with a standing ovation from the proud families and friends who filled the Aronoff to support the Class of 2029 as they officially embarked on their medical school journey.

The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine has held its annual White Coat Ceremony since 1996, inspired by the late Arnold P. Gold, MD, a pediatric neurologist who believed in reinforcing humanism early in medical training. Thirty years later, the ceremony remains a touchstone of empathy, excellence and professional identity for future physicians.

Featured photo at top: Members of the UC College of Medicine Class of 2029 recite their Class Oath of Professionalism during their White Coat Ceremony. Photo/Joseph Fuqua II.