As a new M.D. student or M.D./Ph.D. student at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, your medical career officially begins when you take part in the On Becoming a Physician Ceremony. Our deans, faculty, and alumni take part in awarding you the white coat, an annual rite of passage for future doctors where you pledge a commitment to the compassionate practice of medicine. The ceremony establishes standards for you to uphold on your path to becoming a physician.  

At the event, students are “cloaked” in their first white coat by an Einstein alumnus. Together as a class, students recite the Class Oath for the first time, which emphasizes the primacy of the doctor–patient relationship. This milestone, also known as the White Coat Ceremony, was created by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation in 1993 and is held each year at medical schools across the country.

Einstein’s alumni association provides all entering students with a white coat for the ceremony, so you are not required to purchase one. The office of student life provides details to all incoming students about how families can register to attend the event or watch a livestream.

Students don their white coats and rise to recite an oath of professionalism in Robbins Auditorium.
Caption: Incoming M.D. students at Albert Einstein College of Medicine recite an oath of professionalism during the On Becoming a Physician Ceremony.
Dr. Yaron Tomer, the Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean at Einstein, welcomes new M.D. students and their families to the On Becoming a Physician Ceremony.
Dean Yaron Tomer, who is wearing a white coat, addresses the audience from the podium in Robbins auditorium with a blue Montefiore Einstein banner behind him.
Two audience members, one in a white medical coat, the other in a blue satin dress, smile in their seats.
A student at Albert Einstein College of Medicine waits for the On Becoming a Physician Ceremony to begin.
Dr. Holden leans in and smiles with first-year student Abdul Rashid Abdulai. Both are wearing white coats. A young child dressed in jacket, vest, and tie stands between them.
Dr. Lynne Holden, senior associate dean for diversity and inclusion at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, takes a moment to celebrate with Abdul Rashid Abdulai, a first-year M.D. student, and his family.
A young man in wire-rimmed glasses, a white button down shirt, and a black bowtie lifts his white coat up and smiles.
A new M.D. student unfolds his white coat at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
Dr. Yoon Kang, dressed in a white coat, stands and smiles next to the podium at the front of Robbins auditorium.
Dr. Yoon Kang, vice dean for education at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, joins new M.D. students as they pledge their commitment to practicing compassionate medicine.
Dr. Oza stands on stage in Robbins auditorium clasping her hands mid-conversation between two medical students with their backs to the camera.
Dr. Sandra Oza, assistant dean for learning communities at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, prepares new M.D. students to take part in this important milestone.
Dr. Todd Cassese, smiling and wearing a white coat and glasses, addresses the audience from the podium in Robbins auditorium, flanked by blue Montefiore Einstein banners.
Dr. Todd Cassese, interim senior associate dean for medical education at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, shares words of wisdom with new M.D. students.
Dr. Correa, dressed in a grey suit jacket, white shirt, black tie, and glasses, stands, smiles, and claps, in Robbins auditorium with students behind him.
Dr. Daniel Correa, associate dean for diversity enhancement at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, congratulates new M.D. students for participating in this rite of passage.
A musician in a white short sleeved button-down shirt plays a black Steinway piano in the front of Robbins auditorium with the audience behind him.
A musician provides piano music during the On Becoming a Physician ceremony at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
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