WHO: Approximately 60 first-year students entering the Mercer University School of Medicine
WHAT: Will participate in the School of Medicine’s White Coat Ceremony, where they will be “cloaked” in their first white coats and get their first lesson in compassion. Dr. Jeffrey L. Stephens, Mercer professor of internal medicine, will deliver the keynote address to the students, their family members and friends. Stephens has been recognized by national organizations for his research in infectious diseases, including AIDS, tuberculosis and meningitis.
WHEN: 3 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 14, 2005
WHERE: University Center Arena,
1730 Adams St., Macon, Ga.
WHY: Although compassion has always played a significant role in patient care, it has traditionally not been a formal part of medical school curriculum. Through the White Coat Ceremony, Mercer School of Medicine helps to clarify for the incoming students the true meaning of humanism in medicine—that as physicians they should not only strive to cure their patients, but to care for them.
In addition to the white coats the students will receive during the ceremony, each will be given pins inscribed with the words “humanism in medicine” from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation and copies of the book On Doctoring provided by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
DIRECTIONS TO THE UNIVERSITY CENTER
From I-75; Heading North (from Florida)
~Take I-75 North to Exit #163 (Mercer University Drive).
~Turn right at the top of exit ramp.
~Turn left at the street light onto Stadium Drive.
~Turn right onto University Center Drive.
~University Center Drive will end at the University Center.
From I-75; Heading South (from Atlanta)
~Take I-75 South to Exit #163 (Mercer University Drive).
~Turn left at the top of exit ramp.
~Turn left at the street light onto Stadium Drive.
~Turn right onto University Center Drive.
~University Center Drive will end at the University Center.
Media interested in covering the event should contact Nancy Fullbright at 478-301-2716.
