SIU Medicine welcomes class of 2023

Seventy-six medical students from the slass of 2023 have begun their academic medical training at the SIU School of Medicine in Carbondale. The students participated in a white coat ceremony Aug. 16 in Shryock Auditorium.

SIU Medicine Dean and Provost Jerry Kruse and Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions Erik Constance welcomed the students. Wendi El-Amin, associate dean for equity, diversity and inclusion, and Elizabeth Cavanagh, president of the school's Alumni Society Board of Governors, presented them with white coats on behalf of the Alumni Society.

Debra Klamen, senior associate dean for education and curriculum and chair of the Department of Medical Education at SIU Medicine, also welcomed the students and led them in reading the Physician's Pledge.

SIU Medicine Associate Professor of Internal Medicine Vidhya Prakash presented the keynote address. Prakash received the school's 2018 Humanism in Medicine Award.

The white coat ceremony is designed to establish a commitment to professionalism and empathy in medicine and is held at most U.S. medical schools each fall.