6
COM Outlook . Fall 2013
COMmunications
The journey to becoming a physician is long and com-
plex—but it all begins with a white coat. On August 11,
more than 230 students of the class of 2017 were proud to
celebrate the beginning of their journey during the col-
lege’s
33
rd
Annual White Coat Ceremony
.
Following inspiring words from George Hanbury II,
Ph.D., NSU president and chief executive officer, and Dr.
Anthony J. Silvagni, NSU-COM dean, students appeared
onstage to accept their white coats, spotlighting their
entry into their medical careers. As parents, families, and
friends sat in support, the students took the pledge of com-
mitment, vowing to uphold the ethical and professional
responsibilities of being a physician.
The day marked an important milestone in the stu-
dents’ lives, and as Dr. Silvagni said, “It will change their
lives forever.”
Several students and their family members reflected
on the importance of the moment, sharing what the White
Coat Ceremony meant to them. OMS-I Cassandre Voltaire
White Coat Ceremony Warmly
Welcomes Class of 2017
By Julia McCandless
said, “It was exciting. I’ve worked for this for quite a while,
so it was sort of surreal at first. I think everything came
together and became more concrete, and I finally realized
where I was when one of the physicians put the coat on my
shoulders,” she stated. “I do think there’s a certain level
of responsibility that we’ll be held to, and I think we’ll
become better people after this.”
OMS-I Anirudh Gajjala reacted similarly, saying, “I feel
a mix of emotions—I’m exhilarated and excited, but also
nervous for what’s coming. I know it’s going to be a tough
road. It’s still taking a while to sink in.” Gajjala’s mother
said, “It felt great to watch him go through the ceremony.
The people are so friendly and make you feel at home, and
I am very happy that he’s at this university. I know the
school will take care of him.”
New...Noteworthy
The atrium outside the Steele Auditorium buzzed with
excitement on August 9 as class of 2017 students gathered
to share snacks, reflect on Orientation Week activities, and
celebrate the start of their medical school odyssey.
Enthusiasm Highlights
Orientation Week
In July 2013, during the
American Osteopathic
Association’s House of
Delegates Meeting in
Chicago, Illinois, NSU’s
College of Osteopathic
Medicine was awarded
the
Strategic Team Award and Recognition
(“STAR”)
accolade, which is bestowed upon
affiliate organizations that make significant
contributions to advancing the profession-
wide objectives identified in the AOA Strategic
Plan.
(Pictured is Dr. Silvagni accepting the
“STAR” Award in Chicago.)
The annual
induction
ceremony of
the
Xi Chapter
of Sigma Sigma
Phi
, a national
honorary
osteopathic
service fraternity at NSU-COM, was held in
June at Westside Regional Medical Center
in Plantation, Florida. The future physicians
were recognized for their commitment to
the community through service projects that
include programs such as the Doctor’s Bag,
Medical Explorers, Pet Therapy, and Pre-
D.O.ctors.
Liberty University College of Osteopathic
Medicine (LUCOM)
, which is located in
Lynchburg, Virginia, is the latest D.O. school
to be established in the United States and
will welcome its inaugural class in the fall
of 2014. With the formation of LUCOM, the
United States is now home to 30 colleges of
osteopathic medicine, with 40 locations in
28 states. Currently, more than 20 percent
of the nation’s medical students are training
to be D.O.s.
In July, Miami’s Mount Sinai Medical
Center, which is a member of NSU-COM’s
Consortium for Excellence in Medical
Education, recognized the heroic efforts of
