White Coat Ceremony
Friday, May 10, 2013 has arrived! It’s nearing the start of Ross
University School of Medicine May 2013 Class’ White Coat Ceremony, and I am beginning
to become anxious. As the commencement of the program quickly approaches, I begin
to reflect on all the things that have transpired from my early childhood until
now. Memories of the triumphs, the “bootstraps”,
the laughs, the cries, the hope, the faith, the drive, and all the people who
God has allowed our paths to cross in some form or fashion begin to overwhelm
me. Life has conjured up so many events leading up to this point that have
happened beyond my wildest dreams or imagination, the successful and not so successful
moments. It also has allowed me the honor to be blessed with so many people
that have spread their love and support throughout my life. As I reminisce on
all these things and thank God for allowing me the opportunity to pursue my dreams, I fight back the tears, thus preventing my mascara from
running…
The ceremony has begun, and most of the Dominican government
officials and RossU administrators are in attendance. After speeches have been
spoken and delegates have given their congratulatory praises, my colleagues and
I rise for the donning of our white coats. For those who are unfamiliar with
the purpose of the white coat ceremony, it serves as a “rite of passage” for
medical students. Once you have put on your white coat, then you are responsible
for upholding the expectations and privileges given to you by patients and
society as a whole to conduct yourself in a manner becoming of a medical doctor
and professional…
The time has now come for me to receive my white coat. I
walk up confidently to the physician who is in charge of putting on my white
coat, and I turn around to allow my white coat to be slipped on over my
shoulders. As I physically accept my white coat, I also allow myself to embrace
the support of God and so many other people who are chosen to help me carry the
weight of my life’s new roles and expectations.
(donning of white coat)
(posing at my home at Rejens Hotel)
Meeting Dominica’s First
Family…
After the white coat ceremony, my heart begins to beat
faster in anticipation of the post-ceremony events. I was informed earlier that
I would be meeting His Excellency Eliud Thaddeus Williams, President of
Dominica, and his lovely wife. As I wait to be ushered in to sit and talk to
the first family, my mind begins to flood with all sorts of thoughts, like what
an honor and blessing from God for a small town girl from little Newport,
Arkansas to meet the First Family of the Commonwealth of Dominica! What do I
say? Do I shake their hands or give them a big Arkansas hug? Is my hair ok?...As
thoughts raced in my head, the one thing that I was content was with just being
Quiana.
Now, my time had come. As I was greeted by the President’s wonderful Secretary,
Miss Blackmoore, who I had been in contact with for some time, I think she was
a bit thrown off but reciprocated my big Arkansas hug. She gave me a big smile, welcomed me to Dominica, and congratulated me on my achievements, thus far. Sitting in the
room was the President and his wife was finishing up a previous conversation. I
shook their hands (and held back my hugs) and sat down. We had a great
conversation about Dominica and life, and I was so grateful and felt very honored that they would take the time out of their super busy schedules to talk to me. I was invited to their house for Sunday
dinners, when I was not overwhelmed with studying, and they also invited me to
join them as their guest for Dominica’s Independence Day celebration! Wow, God
always blesses me beyond anything that I can ever imagine!
President Williams, me, First Lady Williams (I still got my hugs!)
Ok, I will stop now, because I know that I can get a bit
long-winded. Also, to those who chose to receive a white ceremony picture of me or a postcard on my GoFundMe page, please be on the watch for an addressed letter postmarked from Dominica. Message me or feel free to leave comments. Also, feel free to help
financially support me through medical school by clicking on the Paypal “Donate”
button in the top right hand corner of the page. More to come...
~Quiana Childress
