School of Medicine

Student Government Association Update

Thomas Luke, MD-MPH Candidate | Class of 2024 | LSUHSC-NO School of Medicine Student Body President

The School of Medicine Student Government recently hosted two very special events, Family Day and the White Coat Ceremony.

Third year student Jayne Mora (Class of 2025) is SGA Executive Vice President and directed Family Day. The event included a reception with light refreshments, campus tours, and a 'Life as a Medical Student' talk given by Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Taniya De Silva, and Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Hamilton Farris. This year's Family Day honored the Class of 2027 on their incredible journey towards becoming physicians and serves as the kick-off celebration for their highly anticipated White Coat Ceremony, which takes place the next day, marking a pivotal moment in their medical education. Family Day invited the Class of 2027's family members to campus to give them the unique opportunity to meet with faculty and experience a glimpse into what students will look forward to as they continue their medical journey. 

“Our guests also had the opportunity to experience hands-on simulations through our Heart & Lung Sounds, Gross Anatomy, Laparoscopic Training, and Patient Case Simulation demonstrations. This year included a new 'Kid's Zone' for our youngest future physicians to learn about medicine! Family Day allowed the loved ones of our aspiring physicians to delve into the world of medical education and experience firsthand the dedication, resilience, and passion it takes to pursue this noble profession,” Mora said. “We congratulate the Class of 2027 on their remarkable journey towards healing and healthcare excellence!”

Third year MD-MPH student Lauren Bagneris (Class of 2024) is the current President of the Gold Humanism Honor Society and planned the White Coat Ceremony, which was held at the Caesar’s Superdome’s Iberville Club Lounge. "The White Coat Ceremony is a momentous occasion for the class of 2027. This ceremony is a medical tradition that symbolizes the commencement of a medical professional’s journey as well as a lifelong commitment and responsibility to patient care,” Bagneris said. During this ceremonial occasion, students are welcomed into the medical profession by being “coated” by LSU medical school faculty and reciting the Oath of Hippocrates, which emphasizes the ethical duty of physicians to prioritize the well-being of their patients with a commitment to compassionate and responsible care. This oath and the white coat serve as reminders to always remember to treat patients with compassion, integrity, service, respect, professionalism, and excellence in patient-centered care. 

“The Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) is a national organization that was founded upon these ideals and continues to embrace and embody the vision of Hippocrates throughout our lives. Each year, LSU Health New Orleans’ GHHS chapter volunteers at the White Coat Ceremony to emphasize the significance of centering humanism in medicine at the beginning of medical education and to keep humanism at the forefront of patient-centered care throughout our medical careers. The LSU Health New Orleans chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society wants to congratulate the incoming class of future doctors as they embark on this exciting journey and embrace the tradition of serving as lifelong patient advocates in the medical community,” she added.

 

Aliha Encinia (Class of 2027) is the newly elected first year class president of the Class of 2027, who just received their white coats and attended Family Day. "As a first-year medical student at LSU Health New Orleans, having Family Day on Friday and White Coat Ceremony on Saturday was truly the best combination for a perfect, memorable weekend. On Friday, I was able to show all my family, especially my seven-year-old little sister, a little bit of my life as a medical student. My favorite part was when she was able to wear a little white coat and listen to my heartbeat using a stethoscope. On Saturday, my parents were able to witness me receiving an official white coat, the first to ever do so in all our family’s history. This day truly was special because it was a celebration not just for me and my family, but for all my classmates, each with their own unique journey to medical school,” she said.