by Nerie Trinidad
[PENTHOUSE LOBBY, SLCM] –St. Luke’s College of Medicine made another first by holding its first ever Plating Ceremony last July 22 for Batch 2019, the first batch to receive and wear their nameplates through a formal event.
Student Council (SC) Outreach Committee Head Cheska Malubay hosted the program, which began with an opening prayer led by second year Ea Tan followed by the singing of the national anthem led by the Chorale.
The freshies were then greeted by SC President Armand Joseph de Castro, the program’s organizer, who emphasized the need to address the issue of professionalism as early as first year through planting its seeds to medical students so they will not get out of tract and all grow into professionals.
This was the first time St. Luke’s College of Medicine was holding such an event. “I hope this ceremony will be successful so that it will be part of St. Luke’s tradition every year.” Arjo said.
A talk on the medical school uniform was given by Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Dr. Maria Isabel Atienza, who admitted that she was in no way an expert in the topic and that she had researched in books and the internet.
She shared how doctors used to wear black in the early 1900s as the profession was described as something formal and serious, and how they started wearing white smocks—which continues at present—which symbolize the virtues of cleanliness, purity, respect, goodness and compassion.
She also talked about the white coat ceremony which started in Columbia University in 1993 which entailed the acceptance of the obligation of the profession at the start and not at the end.
With this, she commended the SC for initiating a similar event, as she said that the declaration of commitment to the profession should be done at the start and not at the end such as during graduation.
According to Dr. Atienza, "The Look"—the uniform—though may seem superficial and comprises only a portion of the entirety of a person is also an important part of the whole package of being a medical student as it provides the first impression and it catches the attention.
The purpose of wearing medical uniforms was stressed, whether it is to abide to the policy, it being a part of an identity, or it being a brand.
Two words were used by Dr. Atienza to describe the medical school uniform – quality and appropriateness—and tackled the need to maintain the appearance of the white uniform and to be conscious of the pieces that go with it, from undergarments, to hairstyles, to shoes.
However, she said that she does not consider these as guidelines as they are not even included in the code of conduct, emphasizing that the decision for quality and appropriateness still rests on the individual.
After the talk, nameplates were handed out to the freshies by Dr. Atienza together with the assistance of SC Treasurer Humbi Gaboy, Auditor Nico Fabian and Externals P.R.O. Junelle Dumangon and the rest of the officers. Picture taking of freshies with their nameplates on followed.
As closing remarks Batch 2019 Class President Nics Manalastas thanked the SC for organizing such an event and said it was a nice breather for them after finishing their first block exams.
She said these name plates are special and unique as they bear their names and they will value its importance until they become medical doctors.
With the full attendance and smiles on the freshies’ faces, the plating ceremony ended with the Chorale leading the singing of the school hymn. [x]
[PENTHOUSE LOBBY, SLCM] –St. Luke’s College of Medicine made another first by holding its first ever Plating Ceremony last July 22 for Batch 2019, the first batch to receive and wear their nameplates through a formal event.
Student Council (SC) Outreach Committee Head Cheska Malubay hosted the program, which began with an opening prayer led by second year Ea Tan followed by the singing of the national anthem led by the Chorale.
The freshies were then greeted by SC President Armand Joseph de Castro, the program’s organizer, who emphasized the need to address the issue of professionalism as early as first year through planting its seeds to medical students so they will not get out of tract and all grow into professionals.
This was the first time St. Luke’s College of Medicine was holding such an event. “I hope this ceremony will be successful so that it will be part of St. Luke’s tradition every year.” Arjo said.
A talk on the medical school uniform was given by Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Dr. Maria Isabel Atienza, who admitted that she was in no way an expert in the topic and that she had researched in books and the internet.
She shared how doctors used to wear black in the early 1900s as the profession was described as something formal and serious, and how they started wearing white smocks—which continues at present—which symbolize the virtues of cleanliness, purity, respect, goodness and compassion.
She also talked about the white coat ceremony which started in Columbia University in 1993 which entailed the acceptance of the obligation of the profession at the start and not at the end.
With this, she commended the SC for initiating a similar event, as she said that the declaration of commitment to the profession should be done at the start and not at the end such as during graduation.
According to Dr. Atienza, "The Look"—the uniform—though may seem superficial and comprises only a portion of the entirety of a person is also an important part of the whole package of being a medical student as it provides the first impression and it catches the attention.
The purpose of wearing medical uniforms was stressed, whether it is to abide to the policy, it being a part of an identity, or it being a brand.
Two words were used by Dr. Atienza to describe the medical school uniform – quality and appropriateness—and tackled the need to maintain the appearance of the white uniform and to be conscious of the pieces that go with it, from undergarments, to hairstyles, to shoes.
However, she said that she does not consider these as guidelines as they are not even included in the code of conduct, emphasizing that the decision for quality and appropriateness still rests on the individual.
After the talk, nameplates were handed out to the freshies by Dr. Atienza together with the assistance of SC Treasurer Humbi Gaboy, Auditor Nico Fabian and Externals P.R.O. Junelle Dumangon and the rest of the officers. Picture taking of freshies with their nameplates on followed.
As closing remarks Batch 2019 Class President Nics Manalastas thanked the SC for organizing such an event and said it was a nice breather for them after finishing their first block exams.
She said these name plates are special and unique as they bear their names and they will value its importance until they become medical doctors.
With the full attendance and smiles on the freshies’ faces, the plating ceremony ended with the Chorale leading the singing of the school hymn. [x]