**St. Martinus University Hosts Inspiring White Coat Ceremony**
Willemstad, Curaçao – St. Martinus University proudly hosted its annual White Coat Ceremony on October 29th at its Schottegatweg Oost campus, marking a pivotal moment for incoming medical students. This event, attended by esteemed government officials and university leaders, celebrated the students’ entrance into the medical field and symbolized their commitment to ethical patient care.
The White Coat Ceremony is a revered tradition in medical education, signifying students’ formal induction into the healthcare profession and emphasizing the values of compassion, responsibility, and dedication to patient welfare. During this ceremony, students receive their white coats, a powerful emblem of their new responsibilities in the medical field.
Vice Chancellor Dr. Dana Soria opened the ceremony, warmly welcoming guests and underscoring the tradition’s importance in shaping the professional journeys of future healthcare providers. Distinguished guests included Charles Fernandes Cooper, Curaçao’s Minister of Traffic, Transport, and Spatial Planning; Javier Silvania, Minister of Social Development, Labor & Welfare; and Sithree van Heydoorn, Minister of Education, Science, Culture & Sport.
Minister Cooper reflected on his family’s longstanding contributions to Curaçao’s healthcare sector and encouraged students to follow their aspirations with commitment. He commended St. Martinus University’s growth and voiced support for its future endeavors. Delivering the keynote address, Minister van Heydoorn emphasized the vital role of medical students within their communities, urging them to focus on service to the underserved over personal gain, instilling the core values of empathy and selflessness in medicine.
Minister Silvania congratulated the students on their achievements and inspired them to strive to be exemplary doctors, instilling hope for Curaçao’s healthcare future. The ceremony’s highlight was the presentation of white coats by Dr. Ravi Kishor Vintha, Dean of Basic Sciences, and Dr. José Mendoza, Dean of Student Affairs, marking the students’ formal entry into the medical profession. Inspector General of Public Health, Dr. Sirving O. Keli, led the students in reciting the medical oath, reinforcing the ethical responsibilities they now embrace.
Chancellor Dr. Murali Chand Ginjupalli expressed heartfelt gratitude to the ministers for attending on short notice, addressing pressing matters such as immigration challenges faced by students and acknowledging the ministers’ steadfast support. He celebrated the university’s recent accreditation, commending the dedication of faculty and staff, particularly Dr. Keli’s guidance.
The event also included an introduction to the management of Caribbean University of Nursing, emphasizing the collaborative efforts between the institutions. Dr. Samhith Chand Ginjupalli, President of the local chapter of the American Medical Student Association, and SGA President Dr. Mohammed Asadullah Shaik shared inspiring insights with their peers. The White Coat Ceremony served as a powerful reminder of the dedication, empathy, and resilience required in the medical profession, instilling a profound sense of purpose in the students as they embark on their educational journeys.
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