Belmont University welcomes inaugural class of Thomas F. Frist Jr. College of Medicine with white coat ceremony

Belmont University has welcomed the inaugural class of its new Thomas F. Frist Jr. College of Medicine. In a white coat ceremony held on August 2, the 50 students in the Class of 2028 received their white coats to symbolize the beginning of their medical student journeys.

According to an article on Belmont University’s website, Dr. Anderson Spickard, who serves as the dean of the Thomas F. Frist Jr. College of Medicine, delivered the keynote speech at the white coat ceremony. He is quoted as saying, “We’re all standing together on the threshold of a remarkable journey – the first class of the Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine. You bring your different experiences and unique perspectives and all of it together in this tapestry will help shape the spirit and culture of the Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine. As we go, we are inspired by the divine mission and activity of restoring and renewing the world, and we are amazed by the privilege and responsibility in participating in this work.” 

The white coat ceremony is a significant and symbolic event that represents the commitment medical students are making to their future patients and the medical profession. During the ceremony, Dr. Spickard emphasized the importance of the core principles of the Frist College of Medicine: inclusivity, resolve, and Christ-centeredness. 

Angelina Fomina, one of the members of the inaugural class, said of the event, “I'm just very excited for today. It's been so long in the making, taking so many exams and having so much support throughout this long journey from my family and friends. This is a celebration of my success, but also of their support and hard work. I'm just so very excited for this next chapter." 

The Thomas F. Frist Jr. College of Medicine, according to its webpage, is the newest medical school in Nashville, Tennessee. The College is “dedicated to cultivating diverse physician leaders of character who embrace a whole-person approach to healing in a community of service-learning, inspired by the love and grace of Christ.”

In another article on Belmont University's website, some statistics about the inaugural class are shared. The 50 students come from 13 different states and 35 undergraduate colleges and universities. Four of the students are first-generation college students, and four of the students are rural community scholarship recipients who intend to practice medicine in rural communities. The class also has two veterans and a total of 24 languages are spoken among the members.

Dr. Greg Jones, the president of Belmont University, expressed his thoughts about the incoming class and its status as the inaugural class of the College of Medicine. He said, "Belmont is a university with a lot of positive momentum, and the Thomas F. Frist Jr. College of Medicine is the latest step in our incredible trajectory. Our vision is to blend tradition with innovation, understanding that the best innovation happens when it's deeply embedded in tradition. At the heart of our approach is that deep commitment to patient care, which is fundamental to what it means to be a physician. We're preparing future doctors to deliver compassionate, patient-centered care in a rapidly changing health care landscape, equipping them with both time-honored values and cutting-edge skills." 

For more information about Belmont University, visit the school’s website.