Yes, there will be a rehearsal of the UTRGV SOM White Coat Ceremony on Friday, July 28, 2023, starting at 2:00 p.m. at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex - A. This is MANDATORY for all students participating in the Class of 2027.

UTRGV Performing Arts Complex A, located on the main Edinburg campus, is the venue for the event.  The ceremony will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. CDT and should be around 1.5 to 2 hours. However, we ask students to arrive no later than 9:00 a.m. CDT.  Students will report to the Band Rehearsal room to be given instructions and additional details for the event.

Click here for map of location.

Business casual dress is required. The Class of 2027 white coats will be provided at the event.  If you already have your white coat, please ensure it is clean and pressed for the event. Please advise your guests against wearing jeans, tennis shoes, or other casual attire.

Students should arrive at 9:00 a.m. CDT to the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex - A on July 29, 2023. Students will enter through the main entrance and report to the Band Rehearsal room to be given instructions about the ceremony and other details for the event.

Yes! They can join on the UTRGV School of Medicine White Coat Ceremony website. The ceremony livestream will begin at 10:00 a.m. CST. They can watch the online ceremony from their computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet with internet connection.

Recommended web browsers to use for viewing: Chrome, Firefox and Safari – not Internet Explorer.

Yes! Each student is allowed to bring guests. Please RSVP by the given date and include count of all guests on your RSVP.  Please make sure that you direct guests to the UTRGV School of Medicine White Coat Ceremony website for all info related to the event.

Please let your guests know that the doors open at 9:00 a.m. CDT, and the processional will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. Guests arriving during the processional may be asked to wait in the lobby until students and faculty have been seated.

The Class of 2027 white coats will be provided at the event. If you already have your white coat, please ensure it is clean and pressed for the event. Business casual dress is required.

Please contact the Office of Student Affairs at MDStudentAffairs@utrgv.edu or (956) 296-1596 with any questions.

Students will be lined up in alphabetical order.  Please report to the Band Rehearsal room at 9:00 a.m. for additional details.

No personal belongings will be allowed. All personal items must be left with family, friends, or in your car.

Students will assemble backstage where your white coats will be passed out. You will line up in alphabetical order to march into the event area. Then the Class of 2027 will march into the auditorium into their row and remain standing until instructed to be seated.

• Welcome and Introduction to Ceremony
• Student Processional
• National Anthem
• Presentation of Platform Guests
• School of Medicine Dean’s Address
• Welcome Messages on behalf of Education Affairs
• Presentation of Keynote Speaker
• Keynote Speaker Remarks
• Presentation of Students and Cloaking of White Coats
• Recitation of the Profession of Values (Hippocratic Oath)
• Ringing of the bell
• Closing Remarks and Instructions
• Group photo of the Class of 2027 and faculty on the stage
• Student Recessional

When it is time to be cloaked, you will line up on the right steps of the stage until your name is called. You will proceed onto the stage with your white coat laid over your left arm. Please make sure that the coat is unbuttoned.  You will present your coat to the UTRGV SOM faculty members who will open the coat and assist you in putting it on.

After being cloaked, you will stop and pose for a photo. A photographer will be in front of the stage area to get this photo, so please pause for a few moments.

Following the first photograph, you will proceed to take a second photograph with Dean Hocker and the Keynote Speaker. You will shake their hands, then take a photo together, so please pause for a few moments to get the photo.

After this, walk to the risers on the stage next to your classmate.  Note, you will be passed a printed version of the Hippocratic oath on your way to the risers by event staff.  You will need this to assist you in reciting the Hippocratic oath later in the ceremony.

After all classmates are cloaked, the Hippocratic oath is recited, and bell is rung, your class will pose for a formal class photograph. After the class photo and closing remarks, your class will have a recessional out of the auditorium.

Yes! Professional photographers will be taking two photos of each student:

• As the student is cloaked by UTRGV faculty
• With the Dean of the School of Medicine and the Keynote Speaker

GradImages® is proud to be the official photographer for The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley! Finding your photos after the event is easy. You will receive your free photo proofs via email 7 to 14 business days after the event, or you can search for your images on www.gradimages.com.

Questions? Please contact the GradImages Customer Service Department at (800) 261-2576 or ecc.giservice@gradimages.net.