The students at the White Coat Ceremony.
Doha: The next generation of Qatar’s doctors has joined Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar (WCM-Q), donning the white coat of the physician for the first time at a special event.
The 49 students were presented with the coat and their first stethoscope in front of an audience of family and friends at the White Coat Ceremony, which was held at the Hilton Hotel. The ceremony, which has become a traditional highlight of the college’s academic calendar, is a symbolic event that marks the point when students begin the four-year medical curriculum that will lead to them graduating as doctors.
Sumaya Al Maraghi was one of the students who participated, having spent the last two years on WCM-Q’s pre-medical program.
Sumaya said, “The White Coat Ceremony has been great. It is what has motivated everyone on the pre-medical program. Everyone is a little nervous about the medical curriculum but it is what we have all wanted to do for a long time so it will make the next four years very enjoyable.”
Of the new medical students, 16 are Qatari and of the total number 25 are men and 24 are women. In addition, students are travelling further and further to be here, attracted by WCM-Q’s reputation for academic and research excellence. Countries from which students have travelled include South Korea, Kuwait and Pakistan. However, Bruno Pacheco, who has joined the medical curriculum, has travelled further than most. Bruno is originally from Peru but elected to come to WCM-Q over universities and colleges closer to home.
The 22-year-old said, “I’m very excited to be here and really looking forward to learning about the region and its culture. Being able to do so while studying a US curriculum at a very highly regarded institution is something unique. I have a really strong interest in global health issues so I value the opportunity to be here to get a very international perspective of healthcare.”
Dr Javaid Sheikh, dean of WCM-Q, said the White Coat Ceremony was a time of real optimism and pride.
He said, “It gives me great pleasure to welcome all of our new students to WCM-Q. The physician’s white coat and stethoscope are recognised throughout the world and are symbolic of being a doctor. It is my honour to present them to our new students.”
“These trainee doctors are Qatar’s future healers. They are part of the generation that will deliver a world-leading healthcare system for Qatar and the region,” he said.
Dr Ibrahim A. Janahi, chair of medical education and division chief of pediatric pulmonology at Sidra Medicine, gave the keynote speech and shared some stories from his own life as a pediatrician that highlighted the importance of values that he advised the students to acquire in their journey to become a doctor.
The ceremony also welcomed 60 students who are joining WCM-Q’s six-year medical program, which integrates two years of pre-medical training and the four-year medical curriculum. A further 17 students have joined WCM-Q’s foundation class, a one-year program intended to be a pathway to entry to the pre-medical program.
