Creighton News
Creighton white coat ceremonies launch record class of medical students
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Hundreds of Creighton University students received their physician white coat during ceremonies on July 28 in Omaha and Phoenix.
In just its third year, the Creighton University medical school at the Creighton University Health Sciences Campus in Phoenix welcomed 120 first-year students, a 20% increase over the 100 students who enrolled in the inaugural class of 2021. Combined with the 130 students at the Omaha campus, the Creighton University School of Medicine Class of 2027 promises to gift 252 new physicians to the world.
The incoming class, the largest ever, exemplifies Creighton’s commitment to service, says Michael G. Kavan, PhD, professor of family and community medicine, professor of psychiatry, and associate dean for student affairs.
“Creighton University School of Medicine is proud to welcome our largest class size ever with 252 students entering their medical studies across our campuses in Omaha and Phoenix,” he says. “In addition to their high academic achievement, these students have demonstrated a strong commitment to serving others, and we look forward to their continued contributions to medicine and our communities.”
White coat ceremonies mark the students’ introduction to the healing profession. According to the American Association of Medical Colleges, the white coat ceremony has become a rite of passage for medical students since its creation by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation in 1993.
Creighton’s ceremonies reflected the University’s Jesuit, Catholic character and included a Blessing of the Hands, the Student Physician Oath and a benediction.
Nicole Piemonte, PhD, assistant dean for student affairs at the Phoenix campus, said members of the incoming class were selected because of their affinity with Creighton’s medical mission.
“Students in this class were selected to join us because of their fit to Creighton's mission, and we look forward to helping them grow into healers who are committed to caring for others as whole people, who will advocate for a more just healthcare system,” she says.
Students in this class were selected to join us because of their fit to Creighton's mission, and we look forward to helping them grow into healers who are committed to caring for others as whole people, who will advocate for a more just healthcare system.
— Nicole Piemonte, PhD
The 131-year-old Creighton School of Medicine, as evidenced by the almost 100 percent acceptance rate of its graduates into various residencies, has built a sound reputation within the healthcare community and promises prospective medical students a thorough medical education characterized by close attention from faculty and support from a nationwide alumni base.
The incoming class consists of 69 male and 63 female students in Omaha and 63 female and 57 male students in Phoenix. They are drawn from 31 states and Canada and speak 28 languages. Ten percent of the class already possesses an advanced degree, while 15 percent is first generation.
The class includes the second cohort of Arrupe Global Scholars, a Creighton global study program that offers a five-year MD and MPH education for students interested in pursuing careers in global health and health equity. The program, named for Pedro Arrupe, SJ, who was deeply committed to social justice and caring for people living in poverty, seeks to educate servant-leaders in delivering healthcare with a focus on global health equity and a preferential option for the poor.
