On August 30, aspiring physicians in the St. George’s University of Grenada School of Medicine/Northumbria University Four-Year MD Program proudly took their first steps into the profession at the White Coat Ceremony in Newcastle, UK. The event marked a defining milestone in their journey to becoming doctors and celebrated the 17-year partnership between SGU and NU.
As master of ceremonies, Dr. Robert Finn, assistant dean of Basic Sciences (UK) at SGU, welcomed the new class and underscored the meaning of the occasion. Having long been affiliated with both SGU and NU through the then Keith B. Taylor Global Scholars Program, Dr. Finn now helps oversee program delivery at the NU campus, ensuring students begin their medical education with a strong foundation.
“The White Coat represents more than your entry into medical school; it marks your welcome into the SGU family. Like family, we will be with you through every challenge and triumph as you begin your journey to becoming a physician.”
For students, the ceremony was both symbolic and personal: an official induction into the study of medicine and entry into the SGU community. In front of proud family, faculty, and peers, each student donned their white coat and pledged to uphold the values of compassion, integrity, and patient-centered care throughout their careers.
Words of inspiration
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. David Stoker, associate dean of clinical studies (UK) at SGU, who reflected on his own medical training and the remarkable advances in healthcare over the past five decades. He reminded students that while technology has transformed the practice of medicine—from the early days of CT scans and keyhole surgery to modern robotics, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence—the core responsibility of a physician remains unchanged.
“Medicine is one of the most exciting and rewarding careers in the world, but it is also a calling,” Dr. Stoker said. “Science will continue to inspire you with remarkable advances, but at its heart medicine is about empathy, communication, and caring for patients as people. That is what makes medicine not just a science, but also an art.”
A legacy of partnership
The White Coat Ceremony also highlighted the strength of SGU’s longstanding academic partnership with Northumbria University. Since its establishment in 2007, the SGU/NU program has enabled students to begin their Basic Sciences training in the UK before continuing their studies in Grenada and clinical rotations across affiliated hospitals in the US and UK. The collaboration provides students with a truly international medical education while immersing them in diverse academic and clinical environments.
“Over the years, more than 2,500 SGU students have begun their journey in Newcastle, supported by dedicated faculty from both universities,” said Dr. Marios Loukas, president of SGU and dean of the School of Medicine. “This unique pathway reflects SGU’s global mission to train physicians who are prepared to meet the healthcare needs of patients across cultures, healthcare systems, and borders.”
The White Coat Ceremony served as a powerful reminder of the traditions that unite generations of physicians. By donning the white coat, students joined a legacy of medical professionals dedicated to healing, humanity, and the timeless values of their profession.
