| The ritual is believed to have originated twenty years | | | | ceremony at the end of their first year, while some |
| ago, in 1989, at the acclaimed University of Chicago's | | | | chiropractic schools conduct the ceremony at the start |
| Pritzker School of Medicine. Its purpose was to mark | | | | of the first year. Regardless of when the ceremony |
| the transition between the initial science course | | | | occurs, it has become an important event symbolizing |
| curriculum and the beginning of their clinical and direct | | | | the induction of the student into their chosen healthcare |
| patient care training. It is a formal ceremony in which | | | | career. |
| medical student's don - for the first time - the traditional | | | | One aspect of the White Coat Ceremony - the white |
| white lab coat that physicians have worn for more | | | | lab coat itself - has also evolved over the years. While |
| than a century. The primary elements in the White | | | | many of the ubiquitous shapeless, often shabby white |
| Coat Ceremony typically include: recognition of the | | | | lab coats can still be spotted in daily use, recent |
| students for completing pre-clinical studies, affirmation | | | | interest in higher quality lab coats has increased. This is |
| of a commitment to medical ethics, actual "cloaking" of | | | | partly a result of the growing percentage of women in |
| the students in white lab coats, and recitation of the | | | | medical and clinical healthcare programs, and partly |
| Hippocratic Oath. It is similar to a medical school | | | | due to higher standards being set for appearance and |
| graduation, in that parents and friends are encouraged | | | | cleanliness in the healthcare setting. The very best of |
| to attend, in order to witness and recognize this | | | | the medical uniform companies have recognized this |
| important milestone. | | | | increasing need for quality lab coats and have |
| From this modest beginning in 1989, the ceremony has | | | | introduced new styles that utilize stain-resistant |
| evolved exponentially. Now, in addition to an ever | | | | performance fabrics - features uniquely suited for the |
| increasing percentage of medical schools, the White | | | | environment in which they are worn. One particular |
| Coat Ceremony is becoming a tradition at dental, | | | | uniform company, Medelita, has even tailored a line of |
| podiatric, chiropractic, optometry, pharmacy, physical | | | | unusually high-quality lab coats specifically for female |
| therapy, and veterinary schools throughout the United | | | | physicians, clinicians and students of all medical |
| States - and the world. Of course, there are variations | | | | specialties. Just as the significance of the White Coat |
| among the different types of schools consistent with | | | | Ceremony has grown, so has the interest among |
| their curriculum. In some specialties, the student's clinical | | | | these schools in presenting students with lab coats |
| work occurs earlier in their training than is typically the | | | | that appropriately reflect the achievement being |
| case for medical school students, and thus, the timing | | | | recognized, and the commitment to quality care they |
| of the White Coat Ceremony is altered. Most | | | | are pledging to provide to future patients. |
| pharmacy students, for example, go through the | | | | |