EDINBURG The lobby outside the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley auditorium is filled with anxious students clasping on to white coats over their arms, but these arent just any white coats.

They are special coats that signify an end of a journey and the introduction of another.

An announcer stands at the podium in the auditorium, Im pleased to welcome you to the UTRGV School of Medicine Second Annual White Coat Ceremony. Its a day of celebration!

Thestudents are the second class to put on those white coats.

One by one the coats they hold are put on them.

This is a wonderful occasion not only for the students and their families but for the entire Rio Grande valley. All of our doctors are going to work very hard, said Dr. John H. Krouse, dean of the school of medicine. They have a lot to learn but they have to remember to be humble. And they have to remember theyre taking care of patients. And its the patients life that is in their hands.

Dr. Steven Lieberman praised the decision to open the school, The Rio Grande Valley has been wanting and needing a medical school for 70 years and longer. And its wonderful that students who grew up here now have the opportunity to stay here.

After the ceremony, students and families attend a special reception, where many of the new medical students expressed the excitement they felt about their accomplishment.

Excited. Excited to start my career. A lot of emotions. Overall happy. Overall excited. The family is here. Were celebrating together, said Rodrigo Velasquez.

It is just the beginning. I dont think I would say Im nervous. Im excited. I know it will be a big challenge and Im looking forward going through that, said Elizabeth Cuevas.

Krouse stated that the students would be working within the communities in the Valley, with the schools partners and also in the colonias.

Lieberman explained the symbolism of the coats, Right now, they get to wear the short white coats that indicate theyre students. When they graduate well call them doctors. Well give them a long white coat and theyll be on their way.

The event is a rite of passage for all of these future doctors of the second white coat ceremony of the UTRGVs School of Medicine.

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UTRGV Medical School White Coats' Rite of Passage - KRGV