A new generation of physicians is beginning its journey. Last week, the University of Manitoba welcomed 137 students into the Max Rady College of Medicine. 

🩺 The tradition: The ceremony marked the formal start of medical school for the Class of 2030 and continued the University’s long-standing Inaugural Day and White Coat Ceremony tradition. 

• Students received their first white coats, a tradition dating back to 1993, before reciting the Physician’s Pledge.
• Students also received ​“White Coat Notes” offering words of wisdom from alumni who graduated 50 or 25 years ago.
• You can watch highlights of the ceremony here, and read more about it here.

According to the University of Manitoba, this year’s new class includes 11 Indigenous students, 51 with rural attributes and 5 enrolled in the bilingual stream.

The people behind the day: Our President Dr. Alon Altman joined other dignitaries from Shared Health, the CPSM, and the U of M participate in the ceremony.

• There was a blessing and honour song from Traditional Knowledge Keeper George Muswaggon, and Dr. Sara Goulet, winner of a 2024 Doctors Manitoba Medal of Excellence, delivered the Alan Klass Memorial Address.
• At the heart of the day was the White Coat Ceremony itself, presented by Dr. Mahwash Saeed, Assistant Dean, UGME Student Affairs, as the Class of 2030 put on their first white coats. 

This year’s incoming class reflects the larger class sizes that started just a couple of years ago, following advocacy by Doctors Manitoba and many physicians for an increase in medical school seats to help address our physician shortage. Doctors Manitoba continues to advocate for efforts to improve retention of medical learners and early career physicians, as Manitoba continues to lose more physicians to other provinces than we gain.

Banner photo: University of Manitoba