PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Future doctors will begin their medical careers Friday with the White Coat Ceremony at Temple University’s Lewis Katz School of Medicine.
Abby Chang was with her father and officially began her medical training at Temple University, the same place where her father had received his medical degree.
“This is so exciting,” Chang said. “I feel like I’ve been working toward this my whole life, so it’s kind of surreal.”
Chang’s father received the official honor at the 2024 White Coat Ceremony at Temple University.
On Friday, 221 students received their white coats and began their medical training at Temple.
“Now we turn to the chapter of becoming a physician,” said Dr. Amy J. Goldberg, dean of the Lewis Katz School of Medicine. “I am sure that in addition to your well-earned pride, you also feel tremendous gratitude toward the people who have helped you along the way.”
The keynote address was then given by Dr. Michele Johnson, who received her medical degree from Temple University in 1979.
Johnson is a neuroradiologist and was the first African American woman to be appointed full professor at Yale University.
“Without the foundations here in Philadelphia at the Temple, I could not be where I am today,” Johnson said.
She conveys her message of hard work and empathy and the crucial importance of education.
“I do a lot of work as a mentor and educator in radiology to attract more women and underrepresented medical specialists to the field,” Johnson said.
Chang, who studied biology at Temple University, is thinking about working with children someday – or perhaps following in Johnson’s footsteps.
“It’s so inspiring,” Chang said. “What I love about Temple is their real focus on diversity, equity and inclusion.”
The future doctors are now on their way.
Stephanie Steel
