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2013 Clinician Ceremony

The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine Class of 2015.
The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine Class of 2015.

During the 2013 student clinician’s ceremony at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, students learned life lessons about listening, trust, and humility. Dr. Donald Steinweg, an associate professor in the school’s Department of Internal Medicine, delivered his keynote address in the spirit of encouragement for the 41 third-year students who were embarking on the clinical rotations phase of their education.

“Wake up each day with the attitude that you were born into this occupation as a servant, not a king or a queen, but a servant,” Steinweg said. “Medicine is not about me or you. Medicine is always about the patient.”

Members of the Class of 2015 await their turn to approach the front of the room and don their white coats.
Members of the Class of 2015 await their turn to approach the front of the room and don their white coats.
Dr. Donald Steinweg delivers the keynote address.
Dr. Donald Steinweg delivers the keynote address.
Dr. Steinweg told the students, "Medicine is not about me or you. Medicine is always about the patient.”
Dr. Steinweg told the students, "Medicine is not about me or you. Medicine is always about the patient.”

Clinical rotations mark students’ transition from classroom to the medical setting. They begin seeing patients alongside doctors and residents as they gain experience in primary care and medical and surgical specialties.

During the ceremony, faculty and students were recognized with Humanism and Excellence Awards, Years 1 and 2 Teaching Awards, and Letters of Distinction in each of the school’s four domains: basic science, clinical science, research, and interprofessionalsim. In addition, students were called to the front of the auditorium individually where they ceremoniously donned their own white coat. This is in contrast to the White Coat Ceremony held in the fall of students’ first year during which each student is assisted by a faculty mentor in putting on their white coat. The action is symbolic of the faculty mentor’s role in assisting the student during the preclinical years.

"There is nothing that amazes me more than the way patients come to trust their caregivers," Steinweg told the students. "Once you put your white coat on, you really never take it off. Your patients will have high expectations of you wherever you are seen."

Written by Catherine Doss

Faculty members file into the auditorium.
Faculty members file into the auditorium.
Class President Lindsey DeGeorge reads the Guiding Principles for the Class of 2015.
Class President Lindsey DeGeorge reads the Guiding Principles for the Class of 2015.
Students listen to Dr. Steinweg intently.
Students listen to Dr. Steinweg intently.
Members of the Class of 2015 file into the auditorium.
Members of the Class of 2015 file into the auditorium.
Dr. Cynda Johnson, dean, and Dr. Aubrey Knight, associate dean for student affairs, watch students as they file into the auditorium.
Dr. Cynda Johnson, dean, and Dr. Aubrey Knight, associate dean for student affairs, watch students as they file into the auditorium.
Forty-one students were recognized.
Forty-one students were recognized.
Clerkship directors recite the the Teacher-Learner Compact.
Clerkship directors recite the the Teacher-Learner Compact.
Forty-one students were recognized.
Forty-one students were recognized.
Dean Cynda A. Johnson presents an Excellence in Teaching Award to Dr. Bertrum Spetzler.
Dean Cynda A. Johnson presents an Excellence in Teaching Award to Dr. Bertrum Spetzler.
Members of the Class of 2015 recite The Oath.
Members of the Class of 2015 recite The Oath.
Donning their own white coats signifies the beginning of the clinical rotations part of their journey.
Donning their own white coats signifies the beginning of the clinical rotations part of their journey.
Forty-one students were recognized during the ceremony.
Forty-one students were recognized during the ceremony.