AUC Welcomes New Class with White Coat Ceremony

For first-semester students at American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC), the White Coat ceremony is an important rite of passage. By donning their new white coats—which are short in length to denote their status as medical students—they enter the ranks of the school’s “physicians-in-training.”

The newest group of 130 AUC students was honored on January 18th, in a ceremony held on campus and organized by the Student Government Organization. Dr. Robert Sokol, an internationally recognized clinician and researcher who chairs the AUC Board of Trustees, gave the keynote address.

Ronald J. Testa, PhD, dean of medical sciences at AUC, also spoke, saying to the students, “We are so honored that you have chosen AUC to continue your journey, and we pledge to support you in every way possible to allow you to attain your dreams.”

Fifth semester students were also inducted into Alpha Omega Phi Honor Society at the ceremony. Their willingness to “support each other and to encourage excellence in one another while also providing support to the community of St Maarten and to this school,” was lauded by Dr. Testa.

To watch a recording of the ceremony, click here.