Morehouse School of Medicine Celebrates New Students at 39th Fall Convocation & White Coat and Pinning Ceremony
374 students join MSM's Doctor of Medicine, Public Health, Physician Assistant Studies, and Biomedical Sciences programs.
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 – Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) welcomed 374 new students and marked the official beginning of the academic year at its 39th Fall Convocation and White Coat and Pinning Ceremony on Friday, September 15. The event was held on campus with limited attendance and livestreamed via the MSM website and YouTube channel.
“Welcome to a place where you will learn about public health issues, health disparities, and the ethical implications of health care decisions,” said MSM President and CEO Valerie Montgomery Rice, MD, FACOG. "Welcome to a place where you will gain an understanding of research and practice, and the importance of evidence-based medicine. Welcome to a place where you will be given a comprehensive and meaningful medical school experience, develop the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful physicians, scientists, and public health leaders who will elevate the care for vulnerable patients and communities.”
Morehouse School of Medicine holds Convocation each year to recognize and celebrate members of the incoming class. It is a pivotal time and transformational experience for the first-year students who represent the Doctor of Medicine, Physician Assistant Studies, Graduate Education in Biomedical Sciences, and Graduate Education in Public Health programs.
“You have chosen Morehouse School of Medicine as your academic home, to embark on courses of study that will, one day soon, provide you with the tools and skills to enter our work force as clinicians, researchers, public health professionals and leaders in the creation and advancement of health equity to achieve health justice,” said MSM Executive Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean Joseph A. Tyndall, MD, MPH. "Thank you for choosing Morehouse School of Medicine as a place for your study. Thank you for investing your future in Morehouse School of Medicine and for making the decision that this institution of higher learning will be your life partner during the journey ahead.”
Included in the Convocation proceedings is the time-honored tradition of the White Coat and Pinning Ceremony. Incoming Master of Public Health students receive blue blazers and pins symbolizing their entrance into a field dedicated to protecting the public health and welfare of individuals and communities. First-year Doctor of Medicine and Physician Assistant students receive their white coats, and Graduate Education in Biomedical Sciences students are fitted with their lab coats as symbols of the trust bestowed upon them as they carry on the noble traditions of medicine and science. Graduate Education in Biomedical Sciences students also receive pins.
By program, the Fall 2023 entering class includes:
- Doctor of Medicine: 110 students
- Doctor of Health Administration: 41 students
- Master of Physician Assistant Studies: 39 students
- Master of Science in Medical Sciences: 34 students
- Online Master of Science in Health Informatics: 33 students
- Master of Science in Biotechnology with a concentration in Medical Cannabis Therapeutics: 32 students
- Online Master of Science in Biotechnology: 27 students
- Master of Public Health: 18 students
- Master of Administration in Justice-Involved Care: 12 students
- Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences: 9 students
- Online Master of Public Health: 8 students
- Master of Science in Biomedical Research: 6 students
- Master of Science in Clinical Research: 3 students
- Master of Science in Neuroscience: 2 students
The Convocation keynote address was given by Morehouse School of Medicine Professor and Chair of the Department of Pathology and Anatomy Lawrence E. Wineski, PhD. He has served at MSM since 1983, when he joined the institution as an assistant professor in what was then called the Department of Anatomy, and became chair of the current department in 2014. Dr. Wineski’s speech focused on MSM’s history and the theme of beginnings and changes, as the newest MSM students embark on the next step of their academic journeys.
First established as a two-year medical program at Morehouse College in 1975, Morehouse School of Medicine has been an independent institution since 1981. In addition to its world-renowned Doctor of Medicine program, MSM offers a wide range of health sciences doctorate and master's degrees in public health, biomedical sciences, and physician assistant studies. Many programs are available online or in a hybrid format for distance learners.
For more information about Morehouse School of Medicine, please visit MSM.edu.
About Morehouse School of Medicine
Founded in 1975, Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) is among the nation’s leading educators of primary care physicians, biomedical scientists, and public health professionals. An independent and private historically-Black medical school, MSM was recognized by the Annals of Internal Medicine as the nation’s number one medical school in fulfilling a social mission — the creation and advancement of health equity. MSM faculty and alumni are noted for excellence in teaching, research, and public policy, as well as exceptional patient care. MSM is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award doctoral and master’s degrees. To learn more about programs and donate today, please visit MSM.edu or call 404-752-1500.
Contact
Jamille Bradfield
Morehouse School of Medicine
jbradfield@msm.edu