Suffolk Reporter

At the Renaissance School of Medicine (RSOM) at Stony Brook University, 136 new students commenced their medical education during the White Coat Ceremony held on August 9. This event, which marks the beginning of their journey in medicine, included taking the Hippocratic Oath and donning their white coats for the first time. The ceremony has been a tradition since 1998.

The Class of 2028 is notably selective, with only eight percent of applicants gaining admission. These students come from 57 different colleges across the United States, with Stony Brook University being most represented by contributing 33 graduates. Approximately three-quarters of the class are New York State residents.

Peter Igarashi, MD, Knapp Dean of RSOM, addressed the incoming students about entering a rapidly evolving field where advances in diagnosis and treatment are ongoing and telemedicine is increasingly prevalent. He highlighted RSOM's dedication to science-based medicine and emphasized maintaining strong doctor-patient relationships.

The motivations driving these students toward medicine vary but include personal experiences with family illnesses, commitment to service, and interest in biotechnology advancements.

Gabriel Chan was inspired to pursue medicine following his grandfather's Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. Chan joins RSOM’s Medical Scientist Training Program after conducting computational neuroscience research in France as a Fulbright Scholar.

Reinaldo Powell's aspiration to become a physician was intensified by losing his mother to lymphoma at age 14. A recent graduate from Stony Brook University with a degree in Health Sciences, he feels aligned with RSOM’s educational approach.

Military experience also influences some students' paths into medicine. Juan Diego Carvajal Ramirez aims to specialize in trauma surgery after serving as a combat medic in the U.S. Army. He values RSOM’s hands-on training and mentorship opportunities essential for trauma care.

Pamela Chen found her military training conducive to pursuing medicine due to its emphasis on discipline and teamwork. Her background includes growing up in foster care and experiencing her father's early death from Parkinson’s disease.

Emily Cahill transitioned from working at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals to focusing on patient care through an undergraduate program aimed at improving communication between patients and caregivers. She plans to specialize in pediatrics through RSOM’s three-year MD program followed by residency at Stony Brook Medicine.

Henry Wilmot brings experience from biotech/pharmaceutical consulting into his medical career path inspired by his family's service-oriented professions. His goal is to merge business healthcare insights with clinical practice for patient advocacy regarding complex therapeutics.