More than 200 UK-Track and Sint Maarten students celebrated the official start to their medical careers at AUC’s White Coat Ceremony events, held October 1 in Preston, UK and Cupecoy, Sint Maarten respectively.
During the events, which were hosted under COVID-19 safety protocols, students donned their short white coats as a symbol of bestowed trust to carry on the tradition of doctoring, and later recited the Physician’s Oath together.
Class of 2014 alumni Drs. Daniele Parise, an anesthesiologist at Atrium Health-Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC, and Matthew Petrilli, an attending psychiatrist at Sentara Behavioral Health Specialists in South Boston, VA, served as co-keynote speakers for the Sint Maarten event. The co-speakers, who have been best friends since studying at AUC, encouraged students to persevere and stay dedicated to their career.
“Take comfort that AUC will provide you with all the tools and knowledge it takes to be a competent and strong physician. It may seem like a long and arduous path forward, and at moments, it indeed is. But remember that perseverance, strong friendships, and dedication will guide you through,” said Dr. Petrilli. “So, celebrate this experience tonight—the beginning of your medical career—with all your newfound friends. You will look back on this long and bumpy ride with a sense of accomplishment. The payoff is worth it.”
The UK-Track ceremony featured clinical student Dhir Gala as keynote speaker. Currently completing rotations at Epsom Hospital, Dhir is a member of the UK-Track inaugural class and former president of the UK Student Government Association (SGA).
Like the Sint Maarten keynote speakers, Dhir stressed the importance of overcoming setbacks and remaining focused on the road ahead.
“Remember, you got here on the merit of your worth. You earned your spot here, and you can make it work,” said Dhir. “Whatever the setback, remember this moment—what this white coat meant. Anything is possible because of your work and dedication.”
Recognizing Academic Achievements
In addition to honoring new students as they donned their white coats, the UK-Track event was a joint ceremony which included the Celebration of Academic Excellence. Recipients of peer tutoring awards, faculty appreciation awards, student engagement awards, awards for clinical excellence, Dean’s List honors, and Honour & Service Society inductees were all recognized during the event.
Tutor Recognition
Semester 1
Anjolaoluwa Ayomikun Oyebola – Histology/Embryology
Jennifer Lynn McDonald – MCB I
K. Jade Robinson – Anatomy
Lana Tarraf-koujock – Anatomy
Semester 2
Emmanuel Anane Atsivor – Immunology
Sabeerah Umar Farouk Mahmud – Immunology
Xiyuan Yang – Physiology I
Semester 3
Shah Haris Ahmad – Med Micro
Husnain Ali – Physiology II
Semester 4
Yekta Khoori – Pathology II
Senior Tutor: Alana Victoria Alvarez-Amado
Sponsored by: Dr. Abass Alhassan
Awards for Clinical Excellence
K. Jade Robinson – ICM I
Anjolaoluwa Ayomikun Oyebola – ICM I
Alex Wascher – ICM 2
Muzi Meng – ICM 3
Mark Jenkins – ICM 4
Honour & Service Society
Ahmad Wali, Vice President
Mark Jenkins
Catherine Bubulj
Dean’s List
Semester 1
Lana Tarraf-koujock
Ramsha Rehan
Semester 2
Mohammed Ali
Emmanuel Atvisor
Vedangkumar Bhatt
Ebere Ude
Xiyan Yang
Semester 3
Husnain Ali
Harris Ahmad
Alana Alvarez-Amado
Semester 4
Catherine Bubulj
Watch a recording of the Sint Maarten White Coat Ceremony here >>
Watch a recording of the UK-Track White Coat Ceremony & Celebration of Academic Excellence here >>
