Frank Migliarese: "My White Coat Means"

MY WHITE COAT MEANS BEING MY BROTHER'S KEEPER

This phrase and question from the story of Cain and Abel has always resonated with me because I have always been my brother's keeper, literally. My brother was born with Spina Bifida, a congenital birth defect, and I, along with my family, was responsible for helping him with his daily care. Living with my brother taught me what it means to be responsible for another's well-being and more importantly how much families, friends, and communities do to support the ones they love. My white coat means taking responsibility for the care of all in the community I serve, ensuring that patients and their support systems have the power to live fulfilling lives. I do so compassionately and humbly. All who come to me are my family and will be treated as such.  Together, as a team, we can be each other's keepers and support each other through our journeys in life.

-Frank Migliarese, MD Candidate, Class of 2020

Umar Khan: "My White Coat Means"

MY WHITE COAT MEANS SERVICE

Service to my community. Service to my country. As a member of the DC community since 2010, I have strived to give back to those that live in this city. As an undergrad and SMP at Georgetown I worked with residents of Anacostia and other disadvantaged neighborhoods. As a medical student and future physician, I will continue to serve. Beyond the local community, I will proudly serve my country as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army - a country that has given me so many opportunities and allowed me, the son of immigrants, to earn this coat. Everyday I wear it I am reminded of the opportunities I have been so fortunate to have.

-Umar Khan, MD Candidate, Class of 2020

Preethi Venkat: "My White Coat Means"

MY WHITE COAT MEANS A GLOBAL COMMITMENT

To me, cura personalis applies not only to the patients we see, but to the global community in which we all live. When I wear my white coat, I am reminded of the commitment that I’ve made to promoting public health and caring for others at the population level, both locally and abroad. It is a symbol that allows me to take my education from the classroom and apply it to the hospital setting and beyond. It reminds me that I have the ability and the responsibility to contribute to a global movement toward better health.

-Preethi Venkat, MD Candidate, Class of 2020

Priya Mehta: "My White Coat Means"

MY WHITE COAT MEANS HEALING THE BODY AND SOUL

My white coat gives me the opportunity to play multiple roles in a patient’s life, including a scientist, confidante, and counselor. These ultimately culminate to one major role: a healer. To me, the field of medicine’s beauty is in its potential to heal the whole person, including the mind, body, and spirit. When embracing a holistic healing approach to patient care, medicine enables physicians to not only sustain and recuperate a life, but to also give that life a comforted and ignited spirit. This beautiful duality is at the core of my belief system and is an ideology I am excited to spend my life practicing in order to improve the human condition.

-Priya Mehta, MD Candidate, Class of 2020

Danny Flautero: "My White Coat Means"

MY WHITE COAT MEANS SOCIAL ADVOCACY

My white coat is a reminder to speak up against the inequities that pervade not only our healthcare system, but most aspects of our society. As future physicians, we made a promise to listen and heal to the best of our abilities, but are we fulfilling this oath when we send people back to the same conditions that made them sick in the first place? To me, becoming a doctor means understanding the socioeconomic factors that lead to differences in health between populations and working with communities, especially minorities, to address social injustices that lead to disease.  

-Danny Flautero, MD Candidate, Class of 2020

Isabella Camacho: "My White Coat Means"

MY WHITE COAT MEANS DEDICATION & COMPASSION

My white coat symbolizes the beginning of my journey into the healing profession of medicine. By being guided by cura personalis values, I hope to become an understanding compassionate physician. I am blessed to be a part of the team of students, physicians, friends, and family that support my dreams. One of the most rewarding aspects of becoming a physician is the ability to make a positive impact on patients by establishing trusting relationships. My white coat serves as a reminder that I must strive to provide patients with the best quality of care possible. As a future doctor, I wholeheartedly dedicate myself to serving others and promise to wear my coat with humility and honor.

-Isabella Camacho, MD Candidate, Class of 2020

Lisa Scheuing: "My White Coat Means"

MY WHITE COAT MEANS TRUST

My white coat means “trust” because I want my patients to feel comfortable enough to confide anything to me and trust that I won’t be judgmental. I want my patients to trust that I will always be honest with them, to tell them the truth even if the truth is difficult. I want my patients to trust that I will always be compassionate and respectful towards them, even if they are angry or lashing out because they are afraid. I want my patients to trust that I will always go above and beyond for them, giving them the best care possible by listening to all of their concerns and by putting their interests first.

-Lisa Scheuing, MD Candidate, Class of 2020

Emily Lai: "My White Coat Means"

MY WHITE COAT MEANS TENACITY

Each time I put on my white coat, I am reminded of my role as a patient advocate. Because medicine is ever-changing, it will be my job to provide wisdom and advise on the best care possible. Such a career of lifelong learning and education requires courage and persistence to not only protect my patients but also advance the field of medicine forward. Bearing a white coat comes with immense responsibility to never settle for less.

-Emily Lai, MD Candidate, Class of 2020

Leanna Mantella: My White Coat Means

MY WHITE COAT MEANS HOPE

When I put on my white coat, I am reminded that I am committed to a profession that has the unique ability to strengthen patients both physically and emotionally. My white coat will allow me to use my knowledge to understand the complexity of the human body, while also offering hope to the human soul. Patients hope that their needs will be understood and that one day their devastating diseases will be curable. As a future physician, I am humbled knowing that I am entrusted with the responsibilities of caring for patients and offering them the hope that they need to move past their illnesses. My white coat is a privilege to wear and serves as a reminder that I must strive to provide patients with the hope, the strength, and the cure.

-Leanna Mantella, MD Candidate, Class of 2020