Message from Paul M. O'Byrne, Dean and Vice-President, Faculty of Health Sciences

This is certainly a special year for our annual White Coat Ceremony as we were finally back together in person. Our first-year medical students, their families and supporters came together with our faculty to experience this rite of passage where medical students are presented with their first white coat, marking their entry into the medical profession.

The students also receive a personal note from an MD alumni, faculty member or resident, which they find in the pocket of their new white coat. The incoming MD class of 2025 experienced all of this on October 19 at the Hamilton Convention Centre.

As dean of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, I am thrilled to celebrate this next generation of physicians as they don their coats, acknowledging the responsibility for the health of others, their role in a larger health care team, and their commitment to ongoing learning to ensure the best patient care.

Our Physician Assistant Education Program is also part of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine and hosted a special ceremony in October. The Stethoscope Ceremony for incoming Physician Assistant (PA) Education Program students involves reading the PA oath and the draping of stethoscopes, a symbol of the connection between health care provider and patient. Congratulations to all our new students!

This is a fantastic time to celebrate all our amazing students in the Faculty of Health Sciences where we have three vital, interconnected health professional schools: the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, the School of Nursing and the School of Rehabilitation Sciences plus important undergrad programs like the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) and our many graduate programs. Our students and schools are unique in their disciplines, yet they are fully aligned to our values of excellence and interdisciplinary collaboration. These students are critical to the future of health care.