This weekend, I went to my first “white coat” ceremony — the traditional start of medical school for future doctors. The fact that this was the 175th anniversary of Georgetown Medical school in its historic Healy Hall was incredibly powerful. However, it was watching my eldest son, Benjamin, “coated” that made this one of the most powerful and proudest moments of my life. Leslie and I watched with our other children as Ben began his medical training as part of the Georgetown class of 2027. The ceremony in the beautiful Gaston room is filled with tradition as all of the future doctors awaited their white coats and stethoscopes. They are the gifts of prior Georgetown graduates. In the pockets of their coats, they each found a letter from a graduate written to them individually from an alumni doctor.
Dean Leon “Lee” Jones did a masterful job in capturing this moment for the students and their families. He got them to pause, to close their eyes, and take in this irreplaceable moment.
Frankly, it was hard for me to keep my composure. As he walked across the stage and I focused the camera, I realized that Ben had chosen to wear a tie that I gave him in high school. It was a tie that my father wore and gave me when I set off to become a page in Congress at age 15 — roughly five decades ago. It was threadbare and faded at points. However, it was a brilliant reminder of how he got there and who he was. We are all the sum total of everyone who came before us. Ben wanted me to know that he had not forgotten.
Yet, at that moment I knew (as I have always known) that Ben was more than a brilliant researcher with medical publications on opioid and addiction (including one published this week). He is something far more important in this world. He is a truly good man. He is everything that you would want in a doctor. He is caring and calm; intelligent and empathic. Most importantly, he is humble and thankful.
It is one of those moments you wanted but feared to come. He was setting out and you had to let go. For each parent, even in a packed hall, you were alone with a flood of memories of actual to experiential first steps that brought him to this place. He is his own man and we could no longer hover behind him to catch him any more than we could walk across that stage with him. Perhaps that is why he wore the tie. He wanted to show that he was taking part of us with him. A tie, a bond, that would continue to hold us as one.
My emotions were shared by every parent in that hall as they watched their own children don their white coats. They came from countries around the world but our emotions and experiences were strikingly similar. Passing smiles and glances confirmed all that you needed to know. The mix of unbridled pride with a longing to hold onto this moment; to hold on to the kid who just yesterday seemed to be taking his first unsteady and awe-struck steps into an unknown world.
After being “coated,” we watched them take the Hippocratic Oath. In celebration of their diversity, the students then took turns reading lines from the oath in over a dozen native languages. Spoken in Korean, Turkish, Hindi, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Farsi, Hebrew, Urdu, Arabic and many languages, it reminded them of a bond to each other as healers.
The oath itself has always intrigued me. We are all familiar with the “do no harm” tenet. However, the oath has changed dramatically over the years. The original oath had references to ancient Gods and some startling lines. It began with “I swear by Apollo the physician, and Aesculapius the surgeon, likewise Hygeia and Panacea, and call all the gods and goddesses to witness, that I will observe and keep this underwritten oath, to the utmost of my power and judgment.”
It also included this obligation:
“Whatsoever house I may enter, my visit shall be for the convenience and advantage of the patient; and I will willingly refrain from doing any injury or wrong from falsehood, and (in an especial manner) from acts of an amorous nature, whatever may be the rank of those who it may be my duty to cure, whether mistress or servant, bond or free.”
The modern oath used by Georgetown still has portions that I especially like, particularly where the students must swear to not only respect and admire their professors but support them financially if needed. That is something we need to add to the oath for our law school graduations.
The students will all start on Monday morning in a long haul to earn their “long white coats.” The former dean of the medical school, Stephen Mitchell, told the students that they are all likely wondering how they made it through the brutal selection process for medical school. With over 16,000 applicants, these roughly 200 students had made the cut and some may have their self doubts. Yet, he observed, with a nod to Harry Potter, that “you do not choose the white coat, the white coat chooses you.” Perhaps, but each of these future doctors came to this moment as a result of everything and everyone that came before them. That is why that was more than just an old, faded tie.
Congratulations Class of 2027.
Congratulations are definately called for, yet words will never be enough to accord the praise you all have earned and deserve.
Congratulations on reaching milestones
I too feel as you do. While attaining a spot in medical school is big accomplishment, recognizing our children have grown into adulthood with all the character traits and attributes of truly great people, is truly something to celebrate a job well done. We are slightly ahead of you, as we are immersed in the lives of 6 grandchildren, While no Doctors in the families, each of or gradkids parents are assets to their communities.
Iowan2-,we’ll done that’s something you can be proud of.
My own white coat ceremony was over 50 years ago. I remember one of the speakers telling us, “You’ll never become wealthy practicing medicine, but you’ll always have a secure job and the respect of the community.” At least he got the first part right. I wish your son the very best luck. He’s going to need it.
That is something we need to add to the oath for our law school graduations.
Nice!
Congratulations to the Turleys!!
Is the text of the Hippocratic Oath recited by the students available? I could not find it in a quick search of the Georgetown University medical school’s website.
Congratulations, very nice article, wish you all the best.
Wow, this is so wonderful! Your kids will continually amaze you in acts heroic but perhaps not as well known to many. Our daughter was a top graduate in a prestigious engineering school, the first woman to receive an award which had been given exclusively to men at a place which had only started accepting women five years before she graduated. But the thing that’s blown us away BY FAR has been her perseverance through four years of cancer.
My you and your wife’s reward be through generations and acts never known to you, because our greatest accomplishments lie in shepherding of good human beings to adulthood. Your family is the only place on earth where you can never be replaced.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Congratulations Jonathan and your wife. Regardless of study or profession, it is an absolute joy to be a proud parent. Best of luck to Ben as he makes his way through med school. Ben and his siblings are lucky to have wonderful, loving and supportive parents.
Your beautiful tribute to your son touches my heart and moves me to tears, Jonathan. It is also a tribute to you as a father. The man your son has become did not happen by accident. Blessings to you and your family ~ and thank you for sharing this special moment with all of us.
Prof Turley,
Excellent commits here by you, I was touched. I wish the best for Ben & our other future leaders. 🙂
When does the indoctrination begin…immediately?
As a father with a daughter in Medical school and studying hard for her Boards, I can relate to his pride. Congratulations, sir.
service before self
As a practicing physician for almost 40 years, and eternally in love with my profession, I “yielded to the temptation” to shed some tears of joy while reading your beautiful column. Filled with emotion, I want to share with your son this paragraph from Dr. Tinsley Harrison, that I framed to my beloved nephew on the day he became a doctor: “No greater opportunity or obligation can fall the lot of a human being than to be a physician. In the care of suffering he needs technical skill, scientific knowledge and human understanding. He who uses these with courage, humility and wisdom will provide a unique service to his fellow man and will build an enduring edifice of character within himself. The physician should ask of his destiny no more than this and he should be content with no less.” Congratulations, Professor Turley. And I am very proud of Ben.
Jonathan: Yes, it must have been an emotional and prideful moment for your family to watch you son don the white coat and begin medical school. This summer my wife and I are hosting the daughter of close friends. She is studying for her medical school entrance exams and decided to “isolate” with us rather than being distracted at home. It’s a rigorous process–similar to studying for the bar which we both know a lot about. You can’t do that with the distractions of family and friends.
What drew my attention was your citation of part of the Hippocratic oath where each prospective doctor pledges “I will willingly refrain from doing any injury or wrong from falsehood,…”. Lawyers have the same obligation–not to intentionally give their clients false or misleading information. Unfortunately, some of the lawyers representing DJT have decided that spreading false information about the latest Jack Smith indictment is part of their ethical obligations.
I mention this because one lawyer, former AG Bill Barr for DJT, is finally telling the truth about his former client. He started the process when he told DJT after the election his DOJ could find no evidence of massive election “fraud”. This angered DJT. He ignored the truth and fired his AG (technically Barr resigned). Barr is now making the rounds of the TV talk shows saying Jack Smith’s latest indictment of DJT is tight, well crafted and compelling. He trashes both of DJT’s defenses: (1) “advice of counsel” and (2) “free speech”. Barr calls them a ruse and without any legal merit. Barr’s position is in direct contradiction of the position you have taken in your last column.
Try as I might, I can find no other legal scholar or former federal prosecutor who agrees with you that DJT is only being prosecuted for his political speech and that he has a viable “advice of counsel” defense. My only Q is are you still have those long lunches with your good friend?
Just when you think this guy’s TDS can’t sink any lower, he somehow manages to surprise you.
Every new post beats his previous shineola post record.
“Unfortunately, some of . . .”
What kind of creature defiles a father’s celebration with a gripe fest?
A nihilist.
(Watch as they try to evade their destroyer’s personality with an appeal to “free speech.”)
Sam,
He is of the lowest lifeforms known to mankind.
That would you degrade this beautiful post says more about you than the Professor… why would you stoop this low? Why not hold your powder until a more appropriate opportunity?
Know when to speak and when to keep your mouth shut, Mr. McIntyre.
“my wife and I are hosting the daughter of close friends.”
Good lord that sounds frightening….may God help that young woman get thru the summer unscathed after “isolating” with this nut job…..
Good grief. Must Trump be thrown into everything? This is an intensely personal column from Prof. Turley and has nothing to do with the former president or his lawyers, or about Turley’s opinions about the case(s). Let the father enjoy his day of pride in his son; you’ll have plenty of opportunities to lambaste him over the next few months. If I were a less civil woman, I’d hope someone decides to make uncalled-for remarks when you’re celebrating a family member’s achievement. Oh, wait …
I agree, Rebekah Lane. I am so weary of people who cannot allow even the briefest moment of joy to supersede their constant compulsion to b*tch.
This column is about a father’s pride in his son’s accomplishments and future. Not the time or place for your comment, imho.
The column is about love: a father’s love for his son, a son’s love for his father and grandfather, the beauty of love, family, goals realized, joy for another, love of life.
The Left do not know love. When the Left sees love, beauty or joy, their response is what you are addressing. That is all the Left has to offer, the antithesis of love, family, goals, beauty, and joy.
Estovir,
I have to agree.
Leave it to our leftists friends to display their capability to destroy and not to build.
They represent the worst in human nature.
50 years ago, I was in a similar position as a rising medical student at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Class of 1977 (Wow, time flies). Our welcoming ceremony was a bit less formal and involved, but I still remember the Dean of Students telling us: “Congratulations on earning your medical degree, we’ll give it to you in 4 years.” A lot has changed in 50 years but here is hoping that new doctors in training always retain the spirit of the Hippocratic Oath; it has stuck with me over these many years.
“Benjamin, ‘coated’”
Congratulations to you and your son.
Congratulations Dr. and Mrs. Turley and godspeed Ben.
Congratulations to Ben and your family. I know you are a proud poppa and you should be. Thank you for sharing this moment with us.
Is it not a tribute to western civilization that there is an unbroken and honorable tradition stretching from the ancient Greeks, our founders, down to today.