White Coat Ceremony & Medical Family Day
[By Caelie Haines]
The third annual Medical Family Day on November 1, 2007, welcomed the families of first-year students to the medical school. This special event also gave family members a glimpse into what medical school is really like for their loved one. Answering questions about the school and careers in medicine was a panel comprised of fourth-year medical student Yvonne Pierpont; Gina Perez-Madrinan, MD, an assistant professor in the department of psychiatry; Joseph Martinez, ’98, assistant dean for student affairs and an assistant professor in the department of emergency medicine; and Barbara Friedman, mother of a fourth-year med student and co-chair of the Medical Family Annual Fund.

Friedman encouraged families to support the fund, which is used to enhance the academic experiences of medical students in a variety of ways, from helping them pay for research trips and conferences, to creating a student lounge on campus where they can gather in comfort. To inspire families to give, Friedman and her husband David Blanken presented Dean E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA with a $10,000 check for the fund.

Following medical family day activities was the event first-year students had long been waiting for––the white coat ceremony. This tradition, which started in 1997, involves the presentation of traditional white coats, long the symbol of physicians and scientists, to students. The coats are put on the students by faculty to welcome their new colleagues to the profession of medicine. After being “coated,” students recited an oath acknowledging their acceptance of the obligations of the medical profession. They also added their signatures to the school’s honor book, a leather-bound volume signed by all med students in their first year and their final year, in which they pledge to maintain integrity throughout their years in medicine.

Serving the Homeless on Thanksgiving
[By Ed Fishel]
It’s a Thanksgiving tradition that began nearly two decades ago. Each year, medical students organize Project Feast to feed hundreds of Baltimore’s homeless and needy families on Thanksgiving. The event draws volunteers from all of the schools on campus, as well as volunteers from the community, many of whom return every year.

Workers began gathering at 5:30 a.m. at Booker T. Washington Middle School to prepare for the feast, which was served in the cafeteria beginning at 11 a.m. Their day would not be finished until 7 p.m. By the time the doors opened this year, the line had stretched around the school. Several hundred people were fed over the course of the day.

“We are all thankful for the many blessings in our lives. Project Feast is a great opportunity to give thanks together, as a community, building strength and tradition in West Baltimore,” said Sarah Bui, ’10, and Jennie Hart, ’10, organizers of this year’s Project Feast.

In addition to the meal, students collected clothing, toiletries and non-perishable goods to be distributed in the auditorium at the school. The event is supported by the Medical Alumni Association.

Phonothon Volunteers Treated to Reception
More than 100 students who volunteered during the phonothon last fall were invited to a reception on November 28. The appreciation event, sponsored by the Medical Alumni Association, was held at Maggie Moore’s Irish Pub located just two blocks from campus. Thanks to our students, more than $155,000 was raised during seven nights of calling.