As the Class of 2011 filed into Lecture Hall 4, September 10, for the White Coat Ceremony, they were preparing to take part in what is now an established tradition of WCMC-Q.

A capacity audience filled the auditorium and spilled out into the neighboring lecture hall, with faculty - including WCMC-Q faculty at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) - staff, family, friends and guests gathering to witness the occasion. Cameras in hand, many watched with pride as the young people formally stepped into the medical profession.

Dean of WCMC-Q, Dr. Daniel R. Alonso explained that the ceremony is a rite of passage, symbolic of the professionalism and humanism of medicine.

Addressing the class members, he said: "From tonight on we'll consider you as doctors-in-training. We want you to behave responsibly in every activity you engage in over the next four years."

He described the academic ability of the 17 women and 13 men in the class as "very comparable to the top tier of medical schools in the US" and commended them for their commitment to community service in Qatar and overseas.

"Your reach is really global...You have already shown a degree of humanism and commitment that bodes well," Dr. Alonso said.

In her keynote speech, professor of pediatrics Dr. Marcellina Mian drew on her extensive experience as a practicing pediatrician and educator in North America. She highlighted the qualities that a physician should have, from a dedication to treating, and providing comfort to, patients, to working as part of a team and having the humility to learn from others.

Her words drew a warm response from the students.

"I was really touched by Dr. Mian's speech," said Sumeja Zahirovic. "It got me into the feeling that I am a doctor-in-training. She addressed it to us and said doctors are fallible, but they do their best and have a pure wish to help patients, even if it doesn't work every time. It gave me an insight into the world of the doctor."

As class members came forward one by one to put on the short white jacket of the medical student, assisted by the Dean, their new status was formally acknowledged.

"Putting on the white coat felt like an accomplishment," said Vijaytha Rathnam. "It's what we worked for all those years, through high school and pre-med. This was the day I was looking forward to for such a long time."

They also received stethoscopes from Dr. Ismail Helmy, Assistant Director of Medical Education at HMC and Assistant Dean of Medical Education at WCMC-Q; and Dr. Bakr Nour, Professor of Surgery, and Dr. Suresh Tate, Professor of Biochemistry, at WCMC-Q.

The event was rounded off with a reading of the Hippocratic Oath by Dr. Alonso.

For Essa Abuhelaiqa, the White Coat Ceremony achieved its purpose of bringing home the meaning of becoming a doctor-in-training.

"I felt they were giving us huge responsibilities, and that now we would be dedicated to caring for patients. It was both recognition that we had completed the pre-medical courses and a move forward to becoming an excellent doctor."

All agreed that the occasion was truly memorable.

"It was above my expectations," commented Sleiman El Jamal, who pursued his undergraduate studies at the American University of Beirut. "It was a whole new tradition for me. It was very touching: All the doctors treated us professionally, although we do not have the M.D. degree."

And to have the family present made the ceremony all the more special, as Noora Al Shahwani observed: "They were very proud to see me wearing the white coat. They took photos until the battery ran out!"

To view a slideshow Click here and select Medical Orientation & White Coat Ceremony 2007