Burnett School of Medicine at TCU First-Year Students Receive White Coats

FORT WORTH – Sixty new medical students began their medical school journey at the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at Texas Christian University and received their short white coats during the White Coat Celebration 

The students received their white coats at TCU’s Legends Club at Amon G. Carter Stadium. 

“This group of medical students is beginning their journey into medicine where their unique skillset of medical knowledge, empathy and technological training will be needed more than ever for future patients and communities,” said Stuart D. Flynn, M.D., Founding Dean of the Burnett School of Medicine at TCU. “This group will be in the center of Fort Worth’s Medical Innovation District (MID), where they can learn alongside our clinical partners and make an immediate impact on patient care in our community.”  

Every year, white coat ceremonies are held by medical schools across the United States, and medical students receive their short white coats. This milestone signifies the beginning of their journey to achieve the long white coat, which they receive when becoming physicians after completing medical school, according to the American Medical Association.  

Being a doctor is a life’s work, Floyd Wormley, Jr.  Ph.D., TCU Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, told the crowd in attendance.  

“A doctor’s task is all about discovery, and at TCU, we emphasize the importance of innovation and life-long learning,” Provost Wormley said.  “You will encounter many challenges on your journey, and you have the opportunity to discover solutions to vexing problems.” 

There were 6,273 applicants who applied to be one of 60 students selected for the Burnett School of Medicine at TCU’s class of 2029, according to Kevin Kidder, Ph.D., Assistant Dean of Admissions at the medical school.  

“We first met them all on paper, and we are so proud to have this wonderful group of future physicians starting their journey with us,” Dr. Kidder said.  

The first-year medical students represent 19 states, with 11 from Texas. There are also 10 students who graduated from TCU. The class has an average GPA of 3.81 with 31 different areas of undergraduate study, including biochemistry, music, biomedical science, neuroscience, psychobiology, public health and molecular genetics and biology. Seven earned graduate degrees.

Aubri Robinson, MS1 at the Burnett School of Medicine, was selected by her peers to speak at the White Coat Celebration. She told the crowd that entering the medical profession takes courage. 

“Be gentle with yourself,” Robinson said. “This coat is a privilege made possible by others’ sacrifices and entrusted to us. We already sense the goodness and love of this cohort, staff and school. Let’s carry that forward, especially in the hard moments.” 

The first-year medical students began their studies with the Burnett School of Medicine’s Introduction to Medicine curriculum. The two-week course introduces them to the unique Empathetic Scholar® curriculum that emphasizes life-long learning and a professional development mindset.  

The White Coat Celebration takes place midway through the Introduction to Medicine curriculum and is a distinctive event compared with the traditional white coat ceremony. Foregoing the traditional model where new medical students have their short white coat put on them by school leadership, the Burnett School of Medicine celebrates the student and loved ones, according to Jo Anna Leuck, M.D., Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the Burnett School of Medicine.  

“It’s one of my favorite things about this school,” Dr. Leuck said. “You get to open up a box with your white coat, and the people around you who were a part of your journey to get to medical school can participate in the celebration.” 

The new medical students will get their first deep dive into the curriculum on Monday, July 14, with a content framing session and patient story from retired Phoenix police officer Jason Schechterle.