SB Medicine News
SBU Medical School Class of 2012 Is Largest In History

The largest incoming class ever in the history of the School of Medicine, 124 students, for the first time wore the doctor’s white coat, a symbol of professionalism and empathy, and recited the Hippocratic Oath. Photo credit: Jeanne Neville

STONY BROOK, N.Y., September 10, 2008 – Stony Brook University School of Medicine continues to increase enrollment to help meet a growing need for physicians nationwide. For the second straight year, the School of Medicine enrolled its largest incoming class ever. This year 124 men and women took the Hippocratic Oath and launched their career paths at the School’s “White Coat Ceremony,” held on the Stony Brook University Student Activities Center on September 7.

The Class of 2012 is a select group. Just under eight percent of the total applicants (293 of 3,699) were accepted into the program. Collectively, the 124 incoming students came from 60 undergraduate institutions nationwide. Stony Brook University had the highest student representation (16), and there is representation from seven of eight Ivy League institutions.

“You come to medical school at a time of great and growing need for physicians and a dynamic time in medicine,” said Richard N. Fine, M.D., Dean of the School of Medicine. “You will be trained at the highest level and be part of program that provides clinical skills training at every level with the opportunity to experience patient care practices early on in your medical school career.”

“Wear your white coat with pride, knowing that you represent not only yourself, but Stony Brook and the profession of medicine,” said SBU fourth-year med student Cindy Calderon, encouraging the incoming class.

White coat ceremonies are tradition at many medical schools around the country. The ceremony reminds students about the need to combine scientific excellence with compassionate care. The SBU School of Medicine has had the ceremony since 1998.

Established in 1971, the Stony Brook University School of Medicine includes 25 academic departments centered on education, training, and advancing scientific research. The primary mission of the School is to educate caring and skilled physicians well-prepared to enter graduate and specialty training programs. The school’s graduate and specialty training programs are designed to educate medical specialists and investigators in the biomedical and clinical sciences to be well-prepared to advance the frontiers of research, clinical practice and education.

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© Copyright 2012 by Stony Brook University