Inaugural Day & White Coat Ceremony
Class of 2030
The White Coat Ceremony
The White Coat Ceremony was initiated on August 20, 1993 at the Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons.
Cloaking with a white coat – the mantle of the medical profession – is a hands-on experience that underscores the bonding process. The coat is placed on each student’s shoulders by individuals who believe in their ability to carry on the noble tradition of doctoring. Similar events now take place at medical schools around the world, marking this important professional milestone.
At this morning’s ceremony, continuing the tradition established by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, students will be welcomed by the dean and respected leaders representing both the value system of the University of Manitoba and the new profession the students are about to enter. Today’s ceremony serves to establish a psychological contract for the practice of medicine and to emphasize the importance of compassionate care for the patient, as well as scientific proficiency.
The White Coat Ceremony includes the recitation of the Physician’s Pledge and the cloaking of students in their first white coats.
Program of events
PROCESSIONAL
Students
O CANADA
Braidin Filbert (Class of 2028)
Accompanied by pianist Jammie Lee (Class of 2028)
BLESSING AND HONOUR SONG
Traditional Knowledge Keeper
George Muswaggon
OPENING REMARKS
Dr. Peter Nickerson
Dean, Max Rady College of Medicine
Dean, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
Vice-Provost (Health Sciences)
GREETINGS
Honourable Uzoma Asagwara
Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-term Care
Dr. Michael Benarroch
President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Manitoba
Dr. Chris Christodoulou
Chief Executive Officer, Shared Health
Dr. Ainslie Mihalchuk
Registrar, College of Physicians & Surgeons of Manitoba
Dr. Sara Goulet
Associate Dean, Admissions
MAX RADY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE EDUCATION AWARDS
Dr. Sara Israels
Associate Dean, Academic Affairs
Dr. Joanne Hamilton
Director, Office of Innovation and Scholarship in Medical Education
DR. ALAN HARVEY LIPSON MEMORIAL AWARD
Dr. James Butler
Associate Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education
Recipient: Fatima Saqib
TRANSFER OF STICKS
Incoming senior stick: Dustin Erickson
Incoming honorary stick: Dr. Merril Pauls
WHITE COAT CEREMONY
Dr. James Butler
CLOAKING OF THE CLASS OF 2030
Presenter: Dr. Mahwash Saeed
Assistant Dean, UGME Student Affairs
ADMINISTRATION OF PHYSICIAN’S PLEDGE
Dr. Peter Nickerson
CLOSING REMARKS
Dr. Peter Nickerson
Mission: Max Rady College of Medicine
To service the health-care needs of the people of Manitoba and beyond; improving health and patient care through partnerships, leadership and innovation in medical education, research, clinical practice and community engagement.
Mission: Undergraduate medical education (UGME)
To provide an environment which will assist students to become competent, caring, ethical physicians with the ability to think critically. This experience will prepare students to choose wisely their area of training, to successfully continue their education and subsequently to meet responsibilities to their patients and society.
Physician's Pledge
As a member of the medical profession:
I SOLEMNLY PLEDGE
to dedicate my life to the service of humanity;
THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF MY PATIENT
will be my first consideration;
I WILL RESPECT
the autonomy and dignity of my patient;
I WILL MAINTAIN
the utmost respect for human life;
I WILL NOT PERMIT
considerations of age, disease or disability, creed,
ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual
orientation, social standing, or any other factor
to intervene between my duty and my patient;
I WILL RESPECT
the secrets that are confided in me,
even after the patient has died;
I WILL PRACTISE
my profession with conscience and dignity
and in accordance with good medical practice;
I WILL FOSTER
the honour and noble traditions of the medical profession;
I WILL GIVE
to my teachers, colleagues, and students the respect
and gratitude that is their due;
I WILL SHARE
my medical knowledge for the benefit of the patient
and the advancement of health care;
I WILL ATTEND TO
my own health, well-being, and abilities in order
to provide care of the highest standard;
I WILL NOT USE
my medical knowledge to violate human rights and civil liberties, even
under threat;
I MAKE THESE PROMISES
solemnly, freely, and upon my honour.
Alan Klass Memorial Address
Sara Goulet [B.Sc.(Hons.)/97, MD/05, B.Sc.(Med.)/05] is Associate Dean, Admissions in the Max Rady College of Medicine. She graduated from the University of Manitoba’s family medicine residency in 2007. Dr. Goulet, a member of the Métis community, grew up in the Red River Valley and, like her father, a bush pilot, she travels all over northern Manitoba and the Kivalliq region of Nunavut, where she provides primary care to First Nations and Inuit communities.
She also provides leadership and support as a medical advisor to the fly-in physicians at Ongomiizwin-Health Services in the Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing.
Dr. Goulet was appointed Associate Dean, Admissions for the Max Rady College of Medicine in 2019. Since then, she has worked to foster diversity in the college, enhance admissions processes and explore ways to support pipeline projects to increase the number of under-represented students in our medical school.
Dr. Sara Goulet
2026 Max Rady College of Medicine Education Awards
| Award | Recipient |
|---|---|
| Excellence in educational leadership award | Dr. Chau Pham Associate professor of emergency medicine |
| Excellence in clinical teaching award | Dr. Alon Altman Professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences |
| Excellence in postgraduate teaching award | Dr. Jennifer Hunt Associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences |
| Excellence in pre-clinical teaching award | Dr. Terry Li Assistant professor of human anatomy and cell science |
| Excellence in educational scholarship award | Dr. Ashley Vergis Professor of surgery |
| Excellence in graduate education award | Dr. Jean-Eric Ghia Professor of immunology |
In grateful recognition to the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Manitoba for donating the white coats for all members of the Class of 2030.
Faculty members and staff of the Max Rady College of Medicine.