Amid much jubilation, 140 first-year students at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai symbolically marked the start of their medical education by receiving white coats and stethoscopes at the 17th Annual White Coat Ceremony held Monday, September 8.

“Some members of the Class of 2018 will make scientific discoveries that will improve our ability to diagnose and treat patients, while others will become master clinicians and educators, or focus on improving public health for underserved communities around the world,” Dennis S. Charney, MD, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and President for Academic Affairs, Mount Sinai Health System, told the students. “The medical path you choose must be powered by idealism. We will nurture your idealism—because at Mount Sinai we translate idealism into action for the betterment of patients everywhere.”

Before several hundred family and friends, and Mount Sinai faculty and staff, the students recited the Class of 2018 oath, in which they pledged “to aspire to be not only healers and scientists, but also advocates, educators, and students who will improve our communities, our patients’ lives, and ourselves.”

In his welcoming address, Kenneth L. Davis, MD, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Mount Sinai Health System, exhorted the students to display compassion and caring. “When worried patients look you in the eye, I want there to be no doubt in those patients’ minds that they are in the hands of not only world-class physicians, but immensely caring people,” he said. “There will be problems you will not solve, and patients you will not cure, but there should never be a time when you have run out of compassion and kindness.”

Peter W. May, Chairman, Mount Sinai Health System Boards of Trustees, told students that while Mount Sinai has grown to become one of the largest hospital systems in the nation, it remains committed to retaining a sense of community and family. “That commitment is particularly appropriate as the practice of health care undergoes a dramatic change that will require you to be responsible for caring for a community, and not merely in times of illness. You will be asked to ensure that your patients maintain good health, and you will be more involved in your patients’ well-being than many doctors before you.”

Rosanne M. Leipzig, MD, PhD, Gerald and May Ellen Ritter Professor, Vice Chair of Education, Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, was the keynote speaker. Dr. Leipzig told students they would embark on a real-life discovery of wisdom, courage, and heart, much like the fictional characters in The Wizard of Oz. “Wisdom is more than being smart,” she said, “courage will sometimes mean asking for help, and having a heart requires understanding your patient as a person.” She added: “Every time you put on your white coat, remember that it symbolizes the wisdom, courage, and heart you will want to accompany you every time you are with a patient.”