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New Medical School Students Welcomed During White Coat Ceremony
By: WOUB Contributing Writer
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The Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine welcomed 142 aspiring osteopathic physicians and surgeons during the 38th annual Convocation and White Coat Ceremony.
Twelve percent of this year’s class hail from one of Ohio’s 19 Appalachian counties and more than 30 members are first generation students.
One of those students is Morgan Werry from Chester, Ohio, in Meigs County. An exercise science education major from Ohio State University, Werry has wanted to be a physician for as long as she can remember.
“My mom is a licensed practical nurse and she always inspired me,” said Werry. “Another inspirational figure has been Kelly Roush, D.C., and a certified athletic trainer specialist.”
Werry says she has every intention to stay and practice in southeastern Ohio. “I want to support the local kids and athletes,” she said. “They need to be inspired.”
Medical students are required to wear the short white coat while accompanying physicians in clinical settings. Unlike other medical schools, OU-HCOM has long bestowed the coat in the early weeks of classes, since Heritage College students have patient contact and clinical experiences in their first weeks of medical school.
“It is a rare privilege to be responsible for preserving someone’s life,” said Dr. John Brose, the keynote speaker at this year’s convocation. “You will be among the select few to have that honor. No matter what specialty you choose, it is as important, and usually more important, to treat the person inside of the body as it is to treat the body itself.”