The Central High School gives west Louisville students an up close and personal experience with a career in medicine. Students shadow UofL doctors during rounds at , scrub into operating rooms and witness surgeries. They also get to practice performing simpler procedures, like sutures, through this immersive curriculum.

The program launched in the fall semester of 2022, making this the second white coat ceremony to date, but already, the program’s success cannot be underestimated. Leaders like Edward Miller anticipate nearly 75% of students who receive their white coat will continue their journey towards a profession in a health care-related field.

“For two years now, we have witnessed and will continue to witness the changes this program makes to our community,” said , UofL Physicians – OB/GYN & Women’s Health and assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health at the UofL School of Medicine. “We’ve already connected dozens of students to meet, work with and befriend doctors, nurses and so many more health care professionals, and eventually that number will turn to hundreds, then thousands. These students will no longer be able to say that they have never seen a doctor that looks like them.”

As juniors in this program, these students rotate through each of the core medical clerkships from OB/GYN to emergency medicine in an effort to learn which field best suits them. In their senior year, they’ll get to choose which area of medicine they wish to pursue for their future and have one-on-one mentorship with leaders in those specialties.

“This program is an extension of the commitment to transform the health of our community by engaging with the next generation of health care professionals,” said . “We want to share our passion to care for people, hoping to inspire more students to consider nursing, medical school and other health careers at UofL Health.”

This year’s white coats were donated by Humana. Each one placed on the shoulder of a student serves as a reminder of ambitions that can be fulfilled. This historic partnership connects UofL Health, Central High School, UofL School of Medicine, the Falls City Medical Society and Humana to encourage the future generation towards a career in the medical field.

“The White Coat Ceremony is a true testament to the opportunities that can be achieved through collaboration and a commitment to the success of our city’s youth,” said Jeffrey Bumpous, MD, interim dean of the UofL School of Medicine. “Part of our mission is to educate the next generation of physicians and contribute to the health and wellness of the community—locally, regionally, nationally and globally. Thanks to partnerships like this driven by our Office of Community Engagement and Diversity, our faculty physicians can engage the next generation of health care professionals.”

The pre-medical pipeline program offers educational opportunities, college credit and hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships. At the end, students will be equipped with knowledge, resources and mentorship to lead the change for this community.

“Donning a white coat holds special significance for our students,” said . “Being viewed as a member of the UofL Health team is a tremendous opportunity as our students get hands on experience with the doctors and other health care professionals whose footsteps many of them hope to follow.”

Students in the Central High School Magnet Career Academy are selected for admission through a competitive process with over 100 applicants that includes achievement test scores, grade point average, personal essays and teacher recommendations. Central has the second-highest number of Governor’s Scholars in the district. Central is one of two high schools in Kentucky to offer Montessori education.

The pre-medical magnet program starts accepting applicants in a student’s freshman year. For more information on how to apply, .Ěý

To donate to the program, .

“I taught in a cross-categorical classroom in Michigan. The children had a range of special needs including autism, emotional impairment, cognitive impairment and Down syndrome,” Bergeron said. “Many also were low-income without basic resources like a toothbrush.”

At the beginning of her undergraduate education, Bergeron said she was focused on pre-dental or pre-med, but this changed as her desire to work with special needs children grew. This inspired her to change her focus to teaching. While in the classroom she found herself teaching on proper brushing and providing children with toothbrushes.

Her original goal to enter health care blossomed to match her passion for those with special needs. After completing the prerequisites, Bergeron made the move to pursue dental education.

“I want to continue working with the vulnerable population after I graduate, helping meet their health care needs. It is exciting to begin my education at UofL and have the opportunity to see a diverse mix of patients,” she said.

Bergeron was one of 120 dental and 30 dental hygiene students who took part in the School of Dentistry White Coat Ceremony on Aug. 24 at The Louisville Palace.

Brandi Hall of Rowan County, Kentucky, said this was a special experience for both herself and her Mom who works as a dental hygienist in Morehead, Kentucky.Ěý

“I’ve been working for years to get here,” Hall said. “My mom and I texted all week about the White Coat ceremony. I love the Louisville community and am super happy about my decision to come here.”

David C. Johnsen, DDS, MS, dean of the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, provided the keynote at the ceremony with UofL School of Dentistry Dean T. Gerard Bradley, BDS, MS, DrMedDent, presided. Johnsen, a pediatric dentist, also spoke on critical thinking in learning and professional environments.

Sonya Hardin, PhD, MBA, MHA, CCRN, NP-C, FAAN, dean of the UofL School of Nursing, will preside over the ceremony on Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. at the Health Sciences Center auditorium located in the Kornhauser Health Sciences Library, 500 S. Preston St.

“DNP students will graduate to become advanced practice nursing leaders who will shap health care and health systems,” said Sara Robertson, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, director of the DNP program and assistant professor at the UofL School of Nursing. “They are prepared to transform health care by applying the latest in evidence-based research into practice. This will improve population health and health care delivery.”

The doctoral program is designed for students with a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in nursing and focuses on creation and implementation of evidence-based care, management of care, leadership in health care organizations and development of health policy.

The School of Nursing offers advanced practice nursing specialties in adult-gerontology primary care, adult-gerontology acute care, family medicine, neonatal care and psychiatric care.

Meanwhile, upper division bachelor of science in nursing students will take part this month in a transition ceremony where undergraduate students begin the clinical curriculum and transition into the profession of nursing. The event is Aug. 25 at 2 p.m. in the Student Activities Center (SAC), Ballroom, 2100 S. Floyd St.

The UofL School of Nursing Owensboro extension program also will host a transition ceremony on Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. at Owensboro Regional Hospital, Building B Auditorium, 1201 Pleasant Valley Rd., Owensboro.