The largest medical class in University of Manitoba history - the Class of 2027 - will be cloaked in their first white coats as part of Inaugural Day Exercises for the Max Rady College of Medicine on Aug. 23.
The college has increased its enrolment to 125 incoming medical students, up from 110 students in recent years.
"Expanding our MD program to train more physicians is an important step toward meeting the health-care needs of all Manitobans as the population grows and ages," said Dr. Peter Nickerson, dean of the Max Rady College of Medicine, dean of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences and vice-provost (health sciences).
"I congratulate these eager future physicians, who are going to help close health-service gaps in Manitoba. It's especially important to note the diversity in the class of 125, reflecting the communities we serve. For example, 53 students consider themselves members of a visible minority and 38 students' primary language is other than English or French. Thirty-one students represent the first generation of their families to graduate from college or university."
The Inaugural Day Exercises at 10 a.m. in the Brodie Centre atrium on the Bannatyne campus will include the White Coat Ceremony, the recitation of the Physician's Pledge and the Alan Klass Memorial Address, to be given by high-profile Manitoba physician Dr. Joss Reimer (see bio below).
A new feature of the event is that the students will receive "White Coat Notes" - messages of wisdom from alumni of the Medicine Class of 1973, who graduated 50 years ago. One doctor advised: "To become a great physician, you must learn to be a great listener to the voices and stories of your patients."
The Class of 2027 includes 66 women, 57 men and two students who identify as non-binary. There are 10 Indigenous students and 59 students with rural attributes, meaning that they have rural roots, work experience or volunteer or leadership experience. Five students are enrolled in the bilingual stream. The future physicians range in age from 20 to 38 years old.
The class's ethnic and socio-economic diversity reflects the Max Rady College of Medicine's inclusive admissions policy. To remove barriers to participation and more accurately reflect Manitoba's population, the college advantages qualified candidates from traditionally under-represented socio-economic and socio-cultural backgrounds.
