What’s normally a rite of passage for medical students has become a symbol of achievement for 30 Central High School juniors who are one step closer to pursuing a career in the medical field. The white coat ceremony, held April 16, recognizes the students’ hard work throughout the year and encourages them to keep pushing towards their goal.
The Central High School Pre-Medical Magnet Program gives west Louisville students an up close and personal experience with a career in medicine. Students shadow UofL doctors during rounds at UofL Health – UofL Hospital, scrub into operating rooms and witness surgeries. They also get to practice performing simpler procedures, like sutures, through this immersive curriculum.
The program launched in the fall semester of 2022, making this the second white coat ceremony to date, but already, the program’s success cannot be underestimated. Leaders like Edward Miller anticipate nearly 75% of students who receive their white coat will continue their journey towards a profession in a health care-related field.
“For two years now, we have witnessed and will continue to witness the changes this program makes to our community,” said Edward Miller, MD, UofL Physicians – OB/GYN & Women’s Health and assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health at the UofL School of Medicine. “We’ve already connected dozens of students to meet, work with and befriend doctors, nurses and so many more health care professionals, and eventually that number will turn to hundreds, then thousands. These students will no longer be able to say that they have never seen a doctor that looks like them.”
As juniors in this program, these students rotate through each of the core medical clerkships from OB/GYN to emergency medicine in an effort to learn which field best suits them. In their senior year, they’ll get to choose which area of medicine they wish to pursue for their future and have one-on-one mentorship with leaders in those specialties.
“This program is an extension of the commitment to transform the health of our community by engaging with the next generation of health care professionals,” said UofL Health CEO Tom Miller. “We want to share our passion to care for people, hoping to inspire more students to consider nursing, medical school and other health careers at UofL Health.”
This year’s white coats were donated by Humana. Each one placed on the shoulder of a student serves as a reminder of ambitions that can be fulfilled. This historic partnership connects UofL Health, Central High School, UofL School of Medicine, the Falls City Medical Society and Humana to encourage the future generation towards a career in the medical field.
“The White Coat Ceremony is a true testament to the opportunities that can be achieved through collaboration and a commitment to the success of our city’s youth,” said Jeffrey Bumpous, MD, interim dean of the UofL School of Medicine. “Part of our mission is to educate the next generation of physicians and contribute to the health and wellness of the community—locally, regionally, nationally and globally. Thanks to partnerships like this driven by our Office of Community Engagement and Diversity, our faculty physicians can engage the next generation of health care professionals.”
The pre-medical pipeline program offers educational opportunities, college credit and hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships. At the end, students will be equipped with knowledge, resources and mentorship to lead the change for this community.
“Donning a white coat holds special significance for our students,” said Joe Ellison III, EdD, assistant superintendent of high schools for JCPS. “Being viewed as a member of the UofL Health team is a tremendous opportunity as our students get hands on experience with the doctors and other health care professionals whose footsteps many of them hope to follow.”
Students in the Central High School Magnet Career Academy are selected for admission through a competitive process with over 100 applicants that includes achievement test scores, grade point average, personal essays and teacher recommendations. Central has the second-highest number of Governor’s Scholars in the district. Central is one of two high schools in Kentucky to offer Montessori education.
The pre-medical magnet program starts accepting applicants in a student’s freshman year. For more information on how to apply, click here.
To donate to the program, click here.
