602 Health Sciences students mark White Coat Ceremony

A total of 602 students in Medicine and Surgery, Clinical Psychology, Pharmacy, and Dental Surgery were honored during the annual White Coat Ceremony, a significant academic milestone symbolizing their readiness into clinical training and professional responsibility.

Students in Medicine and Surgery formed the largest group, with 283 participants. They were followed by 152 students in Pharmacy, 110 in Clinical Psychology, and 57 in Dental Surgery.
The ceremony celebrated not only academic progress but also the ethical commitment that comes with entering the health professions.

It was a joyful experience from students

Speaking during the event, Jatau Kate-Laura Ezekiel, a student in Medicine and Surgery, described receiving the white coat as a defining moment in her journey.

“In that moment, I felt as though the hope of the community and society at large rested on my shoulders,” she said, adding that wearing the coat symbolizes accepting the responsibility to care for every patient she will serve.

Ezekiel explained that her decision to pursue Medicine was inspired by witnessing the loss of lives to diseases that are preventable or manageable. That experience strengthened her determination to contribute to improving healthcare, particularly for vulnerable populations with limited access to medical services.
Hirwa Gihozo Sandrine, a Level III student in Clinical Psychology, shared similar reflections. She described the white coat as a promise to listen with empathy, safeguard confidentiality, act with integrity, and treat every individual with dignity.

“When I wear it, I am not just wearing a uniform. I am wearing responsibility. I am wearing commitment,” she emphasized.

Ezekiel (L) and Sandrine are among the 602 students

Sandrine noted that her passion for Clinical Psychology was shaped by observing how emotional pain, trauma, addiction, and stigma silently affect families and communities. She explained that many harmful behaviors often stem from untreated psychological wounds, which motivated her to move beyond empathy and acquire the professional skills needed to provide meaningful support.

The White Coat Ceremony reaffirmed the students’ commitment to ethical practice, compassion, and professional excellence as they prepare to serve society.

Group photo of students at the White Coat event