LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 6, 2004) -- The 103 members of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine’s Class of 2008 marked the beginning of their medical education Aug. 6 at UK’s Singletary Center for the Arts.

During the ceremony, UK medical students received their first white coats, which they will wear while seeing patients. The first-year students took a “Pledge of Professionalism for Students of Medicine,” promising a relationship of compassion and respect with patients, teachers and colleagues.

UK’s Medical Alumni Association co-sponsored the annual ceremony, which is designed to encourage humanism in medicine. The speakers at the event were Jay A. Perman, dean, UK College of Medicine, and D. Kay Clawson, acting assistant dean for admissions, UK College of Medicine.

Faculty, staff and medical students welcomed the new class during a reception immediately following the ceremony.

The class consists of 42 women and 61 men, including seven African Americans and 10 Asian students. Eighty-six are Kentucky residents.