Ken Walker International University hosted its White Coat Ceremony, a landmark event welcoming the incoming class and marking the beginning of their journey into the medical profession.
The ceremony commenced with a moment of silence, as attendees honored the memory of His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Archbishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi, and Metropolitan of Bichvinta and Tskhum-Abkhazia.
During the ceremony, students were presented with white coats adorned with the university’s emblem - a powerful symbol of their transition into medicine and their commitment to professionalism, compassion, and ethical, patient-centered care.
The event brought together distinguished international and local guests, including Alan Purcell, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Georgia, as well as representatives of the U.S. Embassy and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The ceremony also welcomed an official delegation from Yerevan State Medical University named after Mkhitar Heratsi, led by Rector Professor Armen Muradyan, along with Vice-Rectors Professor Khachatur Margaryan and Professor Konstantin Yenkoyan.
The ceremony featured addresses by prominent speakers, including Alan Purcell; Professor Archil Undilashvili, Director of Educational Programs at Emory University School of Medicine; Dr. Mary Jo Lechowicz, Professor at Emory University School of Medicine (via video address); and Gordon Churchward, Emeritus Professor of Emory University School of Medicine.
In her video address, Dr. Mary Jo Lechowicz reflected on the deeper meaning of the white coat, emphasizing that it represents not only academic achievement, but also a profound responsibility - to become a physician worthy of the trust placed in them by society and to serve as a symbol of safety, knowledge, and compassion for patients. She encouraged students to remain humble, to uphold the ethical foundations of the profession, and to dedicate their knowledge and skills to the well-being of those they will serve.
In their remarks, Rector Professor Eka Ekaladze emphasized the university’s mission to educate globally competitive physicians grounded in strong ethical values; Alan Purcell highlighted the importance of international collaboration in advancing medical education; and Professor Gordon Churchward underscored the role of scientific curiosity, integrity, and lifelong learning in the medical profession.
Members of the academic leadership also addressed the students. Dr. Nikoloz Kvatchadze, speaking as a practicing physician, emphasized that medicine is not merely a profession, but a lifelong responsibility rooted in empathy, integrity, and dedication to patient care.
Senior student Lolita Khalvashi reflected on her own academic journey, encouraging new students to embrace growth, remain persistent, and trust the process. She noted that the white coat symbolizes not an endpoint, but the beginning of continuous learning and professional development.
A central moment of the ceremony was the New Student Oath, led by Acting Dean Professor Nino Shiukashvili, formally marking students’ entry into the medical profession and their commitment to its core values.
The White Coat Ceremony at Ken Walker International University stands as a reflection of the values that shape a future physician’s professional identity - a commitment to knowledge, responsibility, and patient-centered care. From this moment forward begins a journey that transforms students not only into skilled professionals, but into individuals capable of making a meaningful impact on the lives of others and the communities they will serve.