White Coat Ceremony 2019
The School of Medicine welcomes the Class of 2023 to the MCV Campus
- View the photo gallery
- Check out the Class of 2023's fun facts
- Meet Michelle Whitehurst-Cook, M'79, H'82, senior associate dean of admissions, and learn about her holistic approach to admissions in a VCU News profile
- Read a letter welcoming the incoming class from Dean of Medicine Peter Buckley, M.D.
Clifford L. Deal, M'00, H'05, White Coat Ceremony keynote speaker
They hail from 21 states and Canada, rural towns and big cities. They've been diving with sharks and raised bees in their own backyard. They've set up free clinics in Nicaragua, served in the Peace Corps and taught in Detroit Public Schools.
The experiences the Class of 2023 bring to medical school are varied — and extraordinary. All led the 184-member class to the Aug. 2 White Coat Ceremony in pursuit of their common goal to become physicians.
"It's the first step in your transformation into becoming who most of you have dreamed of becoming for years," said keynote speaker and surgeon Clifford L. Deal, M'00, H'05. "You won't be normal anymore. You will have special access into the hearts, minds and bodies of your patients. It's an honor to be invited into the private lives of your patients and to help them through their struggles."
A member of the first class to participate in the White Coat Ceremony tradition at the VCU School of Medicine, Deal encouraged the students to treat the white coat, a symbol of compassion and honor, as a gift.
"It’s an incredible honor and privilege to serve in this capacity," said Deal, president-elect of the Medical Society of Virginia. "There are no words powerful enough to describe the joy, sorrow and responsibility that you experience as you take care of patients and their families. If you don’t remember anything else, know this: I absolutely love what I do and feel blessed every day to do it every day.
"My heartfelt response when a patient thanks me for helping them or thinking perhaps that I saved their life is to say: 'It’s been my privilege to participate in your care.' To the class of 2023 — it’s been my privilege to participate at the start of your journey and welcome you into the profession of medicine."
The Class of 2023 is extraordinary
Before they came to medical school, they …
Went skydiving, scuba diving, and diving with sharks.
Traveled to 22 countries, 6 continents and a Buddhist monastery.
Volunteered with the Peace Corps and in a Bolivian orphanage for children with disabilities.
We’ve got an Eagle Scout, EMTs and medical scribes. Plus a student who’ll be the first doctor in their family.
A health policy researcher and a high school science teacher. An amateur beekeeper and a bookkeeper for local businesses.
A professional poker player, a personal trainer and a part-time school bus driver.
They’ve set up free clinics in Nicaragua, tutored at the county jail and taught vacation bible school.
Driven a motorcycle on road-trips around Vietnam.
Hiked active volcanoes in Indonesia and went swimming in a Central American volcano. ... Another swam to an iceberg.
They’ve had close calls, surrounded by a family of hungry black bears fishing for salmon in the Alaskan wilderness, on safari in South Africa with lions, leopards and buffalo, and photographing Atlantic puffins in Newfoundland.
A swimmer competed in six different countries and an ice dancer’s team placed third at Internationals.
A level 10 gymnast, the head coach of a high school field hockey team and the red belt men's collegiate Taewkondo national champion.
Improv comedians and musicians on the jazz trombone, piano, cello and guitar. The snare drummer of a marching band, the drum major of another, and a student who marched in Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.
A pair of bikers: one built an electric bicycle that can go 40 mph; the other spent two years cycling 18,000 miles from Alaska to the southern tip of Argentina.
One makes delicious gumbo and another is perfecting her Italian macaroons. Someone else’s last name rhymes with ravioli.
They’ve come a long way, including one student who’s driven in a two-door Honda on a 10-day, cross-country Route 66 road trip from Orange County, California, to get to the MCV Campus in time for Roll Call!
Incoming Class of 2023
Welcome class of 2023
![Matthew Alexander](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/AlexanderMathew(Matt).jpg)
Matthew Alexander
![Matthew Alexander](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/AlexanderMathew(Matt).jpg)
Matthew Alexander
Class of 2023
Mathew Alexander is an avid tie and bow tie collector (50 and counting!).
![Aaron Chang](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/ChangAaron.jpeg)
Aaron Chang
![Aaron Chang](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/ChangAaron.jpeg)
Aaron Chang
Class of 2023
Aaron Chang (bottom right) hiked to the highest peak in Taiwan.
![Elim Cho](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/ChoElim.jpg)
Elim Cho
![Elim Cho](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/ChoElim.jpg)
Elim Cho
Class of 2023
Elim Cho set up free clinics in rural Nicaragua, administering eye exams and distributing 3,000-plus pairs of glasses.
Duru Ergun
Duru Ergun
Class of 2023
Duru Ergun spent 12 days volunteering at a Bolivian orphanage for children with disabilities.
![Franklin Gergoudis](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/GergoudisFranklin.jpeg)
Franklin Gergoudis
![Franklin Gergoudis](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/GergoudisFranklin.jpeg)
Franklin Gergoudis
Class of 2023
Franklin Gergoudis worked as a part-time school bus driver for Henrico County.
![Nick Guliot](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/GuiotNick.jpg)
Nick Guliot
![Nick Guliot](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/GuiotNick.jpg)
Nick Guliot
Class of 2023
Nick Guiot played the snare drum in Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium 19 times as part of marching bands.
![Hailey Hampton](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/HamptonHailey.jpg)
Hailey Hampton
![Hailey Hampton](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/HamptonHailey.jpg)
Hailey Hampton
Class of 2023
Hailey Hampton was a level 10 gymnast.
![Brooke Hess](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/HessBrooke.jpg)
Brooke Hess
![Brooke Hess](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/HessBrooke.jpg)
Brooke Hess
Class of 2023
Brooke Hess studied abroad in Chile, where she climbed a 7,740-foot volcano and sledded down.
![Amir Hobson](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/HobsonAmir.jpg)
Amir Hobson
![Amir Hobson](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/HobsonAmir.jpg)
Amir Hobson
Class of 2023
Amir Hobson was the drum major in his marching band, where he also played the jazz trombone.
![Melissa Le](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/LeMelissa.jpg)
Melissa Le
![Melissa Le](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/LeMelissa.jpg)
Melissa Le
Class of 2023
Melissa Le performed on the silks in her undergraduate university's Circus Club.
![Morgan Kimmel](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/KimmelMorgan.jpg)
Morgan Kimmel
![Morgan Kimmel](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/KimmelMorgan.jpg)
Morgan Kimmel
Class of 2023
Morgan Kimmel worked as a personal trainer and Olympic weightlifting coach.
![Sid Kundal](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/KundalSid.jpg)
Sid Kundal
![Sid Kundal](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/KundalSid.jpg)
Sid Kundal
Class of 2023
Sid Kundal danced competitive Bhangra, a traditional dance style from Punjab, and his team placed first nationally.
![Matt Morris](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/MorrisMatt.jpg)
Matt Morris
![Matt Morris](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/MorrisMatt.jpg)
Matt Morris
Class of 2023
Matt Morris led expedition-style leadership courses in rafting, canyoneering and backpacking in Moab, Utah.
![Nicole Ng](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/NgNicole.jpg)
Nicole Ng
![Nicole Ng](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/NgNicole.jpg)
Nicole Ng
Class of 2023
Nicole Ng has only lived in cities that have hosted the Olympics, including Beijing 2008 where she attended rowing.
![Gabryel Obedozai](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/ObedozaGabryel(Gaby).jpg)
Gabryel Obedozai
![Gabryel Obedozai](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/ObedozaGabryel(Gaby).jpg)
Gabryel Obedozai
Class of 2023
Gabryel Obedozai can often be found at City Stadium cheering on RVA's local soccer team, the Richmond Kickers.
![Matthew Olocco](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/OloccoMatthew.jpg)
Matthew Olocco
![Matthew Olocco](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/OloccoMatthew.jpg)
Matthew Olocco
Class of 2023
Matthew Olocco's backpacking trip across Southeast Asia included a motorcycle road trip in Vietnam.
![Rebecca Pilkington](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/PilkingtonRebecca.jpg)
Rebecca Pilkington
![Rebecca Pilkington](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/PilkingtonRebecca.jpg)
Rebecca Pilkington
Class of 2023
Rebecca Pilkington smiles in the Alaska wilderness moments after escaping a family of black bears during a research trip.
![Kathleen Pugh](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/PughKathleen.jpg)
Kathleen Pugh
![Kathleen Pugh](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/PughKathleen.jpg)
Kathleen Pugh
Class of 2023
Kathleen Pugh drove a two-door Honda on a 10-day, cross-country Route 66 road trip from California to the MCV Campus.
![Jacob Raskin](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/RaskinJacob(Jack).jpg)
Jacob Raskin
![Jacob Raskin](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/RaskinJacob(Jack).jpg)
Jacob Raskin
Class of 2023
Jacob Raskin leans back during an improv comedy performance with two Saturday Night Live alumni.
![Krishna Ravindra](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/RavindraKrishna.jpg)
Krishna Ravindra
![Krishna Ravindra](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/RavindraKrishna.jpg)
Krishna Ravindra
Class of 2023
Krishna Ravindra continues a MCV Campus legacy, following the footsteps of his father and sister.
![Geetika Reichmann](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/ReichmannGeetika.jpg)
Geetika Reichmann
![Geetika Reichmann](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/ReichmannGeetika.jpg)
Geetika Reichmann
Class of 2023
Geetika Reichmann performed internationally as a professional Bharatanatyam dancer for 18 years.
![Gianna Rotyliano-Sykes](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/Rotyliano-SykesGianna.jpeg)
Gianna Rotyliano-Sykes
![Gianna Rotyliano-Sykes](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/Rotyliano-SykesGianna.jpeg)
Gianna Rotyliano-Sykes
Class of 2023
Gianna Rotyliano-Sykes figure skated competitively and placed third at internationals in team ice dancing.
![Miranda Savioli](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/SavioliMiranda.jpg)
Miranda Savioli
![Miranda Savioli](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/SavioliMiranda.jpg)
Miranda Savioli
Class of 2023
Miranda Savioli served as a sustainable agriculture Peace Corps volunteer in Panama.
![Rhea Sharma](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/SharmaRhea.jpg)
Rhea Sharma
![Rhea Sharma](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/SharmaRhea.jpg)
Rhea Sharma
Class of 2023
Rhea Sharma has visited six continents and spent two hours traversing the Great Wall of China.
Thomas Siff
Thomas Siff
Class of 2023
Thomas Siff is a classically trained cellist and Eagle Scout who enjoys backpacking and whitewater rafting.
![Tiffany Tsay](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/TsayTiffany.jpg)
Tiffany Tsay
![Tiffany Tsay](/media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoat2019class/TsayTiffany.jpg)
Tiffany Tsay
Class of 2023
Tiffany Tsay once played in a 2-piano, 8-hands ensemble, performing in Canada, Germany and Malaysia.
White Coat Ceremony 2019
The Class of 2023's 184 students were welcomed to the MCV Campus with an orientation week that began with Roll Call and culminated in the White Coat Ceremony where they heard from keynote speaker Clifford L. Deal, M'00, H'05. Photo credit: Kevin Morley, VCU University Marketing
![White Coat Ceremony 2019]( /media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoatceremony2019gallery/190802_572_km-web.jpg )
![White Coat Ceremony 2019]( /media/medschool2018/content-assets/images/white-coat-old/whitecoatceremony2019gallery/190802_424_km-web.jpg )