The newest class of Miller School of Medicine students took their first steps into the medical profession during the 2025 University of Miami Miller School of Medicine White Coat and Pinning Ceremony on Aug. 22. The momentous occasion marked the beginning of their medical school journey and signified their commitment to upholding the highest ideals of medicine.
In front of nearly 2,000 friends, family members and supporters, each student crossed the stage to receive their white coats from distinguished faculty and leaders. The event is a powerful rite of passage for first-year students, reinforcing the compassion, professionalism and responsibility they are called to uphold as future physicians.
“The white coat is a symbol of authority and empowerment but, most important, it represents a beacon of hope for suffering patients,” said Henri R. Ford, M.D., M.H.A., dean and chief academic officer of the Miller School. “Yet this responsibility cannot be fully realized until you learn to exhibit the following qualities: character, compassion, sensitivity, patience, honesty and integrity. These values are the essential scaffold, the fundamental underpinnings of a successful physician.”
“The white coat is a symbol of authority and empowerment but, most important, it represents a beacon of hope for suffering patients,”
The 202 students were also presented with a specially designed Miller School pin from members of the UM Medical Alumni Association. The pin reflects the school’s mission and values, serving as a reminder that these future physicians are part of a vibrant community dedicated to discovery, education and service. For some, the moment was even more personal. Several students were pinned by family members who are Miller School alumni, carrying forward a legacy of medical excellence across generations.
“The trust patients place in you is one of the greatest responsibilities you will ever carry,” said Dipen J. Parekh, M.D., chief executive officer of UHealth – University of Miami Health System, executive vice president for health affairs at the University of Miami, founding director of the Desai Sethi Urology Institute and the Victor A. Politano Endowed Chair in Urology at the Miller School. “Let that trust guide you in every interaction, every decision, every step you take on this journey.”
