August 12, 2009
Far away from town hall showdowns on the future of health care in America, the next generation of doctors is preparing to don their first white coats, a sign of commitment and optimism as they begin learning the art and science of healing. The 161 individuals in the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine's entering class of 2009 will recite the time honored Hippocratic Oath to "first, do no harm" in front of family and friends on Friday, August 14, as they start their medical careers. Ranging from 21 to 28 years in age, students in the class represent 61 colleges and 31 states from around the country - nearly one quarter are from Pennsylvania. However the health care reform debate is resolved, these men and women stand ready to follow in the Penn Medicine tradition of compassionate care, advanced medicine and putting patients first.