UH's Fertitta College of Medicine Welcomes Largest Class of Future Physicians in Its History
White Coat Ceremony marks a major milestone in mission to expand healthcare access across Texas
The University of Houston's Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine welcomed the largest incoming class of future physicians in its history during the annual White Coat Ceremony on Saturday, July 25, marking another milestone in the College's continued growth.
The 65 students in the Class of 2030, who donned their white coats for the first time, represent the next generation of physicians who will help advance the College’s mission of improving health and expanding access to care across Texas and beyond.
"The White Coat Ceremony marks the beginning of a journey to learn in an interprofessional setting, provide compassionate care and improve lives through interdisciplinary collaboration," said Dr. Jonathan McCullers, vice president for health affairs at UH and dean of the Fertitta College of Medicine. "Our largest incoming class yet is another step toward building the healthcare workforce Texas needs, and we can't wait to see the impact these students will have on patients and communities in the years ahead."
"Our largest incoming class yet is another step toward building the healthcare workforce Texas needs."
The new class was selected from nearly 3,400 applicants. Nearly all students (98%) are from Texas, and first-generation students make up about a quarter (23%) of the class.
Dean Jonathan McCullers welcomes the new class to Feritta College of Medicine
Dean Jonathan McCullers welcomes the new class to Feritta College of Medicine
The University of Houston's Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine welcomed the largest incoming class of future physicians in its history during the annual White Coat Ceremony on Saturday, July 25, marking another milestone in the College's continued growth.
The 65 students in the Class of 2030, who donned their white coats for the first time, represent the next generation of physicians who will help advance the College’s mission of improving health and expanding access to care across Texas and beyond.
Dean Jonathan McCullers welcomes the new class of students to Fertitta College of Medicine
Dean Jonathan McCullers welcomes the new class of students to Fertitta College of Medicine
"The White Coat Ceremony marks the beginning of a journey to learn in an interprofessional setting, provide compassionate care and improve lives through interdisciplinary collaboration," said Dr. Jonathan McCullers, vice president for health affairs at UH and dean of the Fertitta College of Medicine. "Our largest incoming class yet is another step toward building the healthcare workforce Texas needs, and we can't wait to see the impact these students will have on patients and communities in the years ahead."
"Our largest incoming class yet is another step toward building the healthcare workforce Texas needs."
The new class was selected from nearly 3,400 applicants. Nearly all students (98%) are from Texas, and first-generation students make up about a quarter (23%) of the class.
NUMBER OF APPLICANTS
3400
FROM TEXAS
98%
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS
23%
Juan Lopez, from Rionegro, Colombia, earned his master's degree at UH this spring and hopes to specialize in pediatrics. Lopez chose the Fertitta College of Medicine for its emphasis on caring for patients in every community.
“Here, I will be able to build the tools and skills necessary to accomplish my goals as a doctor while staying grounded in the city that opened the doors of opportunity and hope to me and my family.”
“I've seen how language barriers, limited access to care and social determinants of health affect patient outcomes,” Lopez said. “Here, I will be able to build the tools and skills necessary to accomplish my goals as a doctor while staying grounded in the city that opened the doors of opportunity and hope to me and my family.”
Juan Lopez, from Rionegro, Colombia, earned his master's degree at UH this spring and hopes to specialize in pediatrics. Lopez chose the Fertitta College of Medicine for its emphasis on caring for patients in every community.
“Here, I will be able to build the tools and skills necessary to accomplish my goals as a doctor while staying grounded in the city that opened the doors of opportunity and hope to me and my family.”
“I've seen how language barriers, limited access to care and social determinants of health affect patient outcomes,” Lopez said. “Here, I will be able to build the tools and skills necessary to accomplish my goals as a doctor while staying grounded in the city that opened the doors of opportunity and hope to me and my family.”
Jeok Luong, who grew up in Houston, looks forward to expanding his medical knowledge while building meaningful, long-term relationszhips with patients. Luong says the Fertitta College of Medicine's mission resonates deeply with him.
“I want to be trained at an institution that prepares its physicians to understand the social and systemic barriers our patients face.”
“Effective healthcare extends beyond the walls of the clinic,” Luong said. “I want to be trained at an institution that prepares its physicians to understand the social and systemic barriers our patients face and to work toward improving health outcomes at both the individual and community levels.”
Jeok Luong, who grew up in Houston, looks forward to expanding his medical knowledge while building meaningful, long-term relationszhips with patients. Luong says the Fertitta College of Medicine's mission resonates deeply with him.
“I want to be trained at an institution that prepares its physicians to understand the social and systemic barriers our patients face.”
“Effective healthcare extends beyond the walls of the clinic,” Luong said. “I want to be trained at an institution that prepares its physicians to understand the social and systemic barriers our patients face and to work toward improving health outcomes at both the individual and community levels.”
The milestone also reflects the continued growth of UH Health, the university’s interdisciplinary health enterprise bringing together medicine, nursing, research, pharmacy, optometry and social work to improve health outcomes across Texas. As its cornerstone, the Fertitta College of Medicine plays a central role in the University’s integrated academic health enterprise, preparing future physicians to learn and work alongside professionals across disciplines while strengthening Texas’ healthcare workforce.
New students recite their mission during the White Coat Ceremony at Fertitta College of Medicine.
New students recite their mission during the White Coat Ceremony at Fertitta College of Medicine.
A new medical student receives his white coat.
A new medical student receives his white coat.
New medical students celebrate with family after the White Coat Ceremony.
New medical students celebrate with family after the White Coat Ceremony.
A new medical student celebrates with family and friends after the White Coat Ceremony.
A new medical student celebrates with family and friends after the White Coat Ceremony.
A new medical student celebrates with family after the White Coat Ceremony.
A new medical student celebrates with family after the White Coat Ceremony.
New medical students read their mission statements at the White Coat Ceremony.
New medical students read their mission statements at the White Coat Ceremony.
A new medical student celebrates with family after the White Coat Ceremony.
A new medical student celebrates with family after the White Coat Ceremony.
Dr. Camille Leugers speaks to new medical students at the White Coat Ceremony.
Dr. Camille Leugers speaks to new medical students at the White Coat Ceremony.
A new medical student celebrates with family after the White Coat Ceremony.
A new medical student celebrates with family after the White Coat Ceremony.
A new medical student receives her white coat at the Fertitta College of Medicine.
A new medical student receives her white coat at the Fertitta College of Medicine.
A new medical student receives her white coat at the Fertitta College of Medicine.
A new medical student receives her white coat at the Fertitta College of Medicine.
A new medical student receives his white coat at the Fertitta College of Medicine.
A new medical student receives his white coat at the Fertitta College of Medicine.
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