The Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM) welcomed its largest incoming class during the College’s eighth annual White Coat Ceremony, held on Friday, September 19.
In the presence of family, friends, faculty, and staff, 225 student physicians—ICOM’s largest class to date and the largest medical school class in Idaho history—were ceremonially cloaked with their first white coats.
Kevin Wilson, DO, FACOI, FACP, Dean and Chief Academic Officer of ICOM, served as the Master of Ceremonies. In his remarks, he encouraged the student physicians to be strong advocates for their future patients and reflected on the symbolism of the white coat in the medical profession.
“The White Coat ceremony welcomes the ICOM Class of 2029 into the medical profession and underlines their focus and commitment to practicing whole person humanistic care,” Wilson said. “This rite of passage highlights the importance of empathy, compassion, and the physician-patient relationship in medicine as student physicians receive their first white coat.”
Suzanne Rogers, DO, FAAP, Chair of Primary Care and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at ICOM,, led the Class of 2029 in reciting the Osteopathic Oath, a tradition repeated at the doctoral hooding ceremony upon graduation.
In a historic moment during the ceremony, former Idaho Governor C. L. “Butch” Otter was honored with ICOM’s first-ever Honorary White Coat. Otter played a pivotal role in supporting the creation of ICOM, which welcomed its inaugural class in 2018. This recognition acknowledged his lasting contributions to expanding health care access and advancing medical education throughout Idaho.
“This school was born out of necessity, but fashioned with courage,” said Governor Otter. “As I look at these students, these professionals, who are going to make a difference in the lives of their patients, I couldn’t be more proud.”