"The White Coat Ceremony is a rite of passage for medical students, and was created by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation in 1993. During the ceremony, a white coat is placed on each student’s shoulders and often the Hippocratic Oath is recited, signifying their entrance into the medical profession." -The Association of American Medical Colleges.

This ceremony isn't a simple participation formality. It is not a casual gathering, simple dress rehearsal, or entertaining get together. To say this is a big deal to every medical student that has worked so hard to get where we are now would be an understatement. I think it is safe to say something of this magnitude being done virtually, putting our coats on and just sitting in front of of computer, is borderline ridiculous. This petition isn't one to push to disregard the safety measures genuinely needed today with everything that is going on, but simply a motion to wait. We formally request that this ceremony be delayed until our class is together in Grenada, where we may have a real in person ceremony of all COVID free individuals that can be done in a way that is still safe for everyone.