The USF Health Morsani College of Medicine Class of 2026 White Coat Ceremony.

Friends and families filled the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa to officially welcome the 177 newest USF Health Morsani College of Medicine (MCOM) students during the Class of 2026 White Coat Ceremony.

This cohort of medical students represent MCOM’s most academically competitive and one of the most diverse cohorts in college history.  The class had an average MCAT score that ranked in the 95th percentile* nationally, a record high 3.91 average GPA*, and 18% of students come from groups that have traditionally been considered underrepresented minorities.

Special guests for the momentous occasion included:

• Rhea Law, University of South Florida system president
• John Couris, Tampa General Hospital president and chief executive officer
• Frank Morsani, namesake and long-standing supporters to MCOM, USF Health, and the University of South Florida

Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, USF Health executive vice president and Morsani College of Medicine dean.

Kicking off the ceremony was Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, USF Health executive vice president and MCOM dean.  He spoke to students about what it means to be a physician and remembering to always hold on to your motivation to be a doctor.

“The physician’s life is a noble one, but it is not an easy one.  There will be times when you’re overwhelmed, frustrated, and doubt your abilities. They will span your career.  But, the passion and perseverance, grit and determination that got you here will see you though.  So, keep your eyes on the higher purpose.” said Dr. Lockwood. “Patient care is at the center of all we do.  You have chosen a career in medicine because of your desire to help people and you must never lose sight of that motivation.”

Elham Yousef, MD, Tampa General Hospital associate chief medical officer and vice president of medical affairs.

Following Lockwood was Elham Yousef, MD, TGH associate chief medical officer, vice president of medical affairs, and nationally recognized expert in patient safety.  Her remarks focused on the high expectations of wearing the white coat.

“The expectations of the white coat are enormous as you are privileged to care for other humans during the most difficult and vulnerable times of their lives and their families’ lives.  The privilege comes with the great responsibility of professionalism, ethics, and integrity.  In return, you will get the deepest and greatest satisfaction of your lives,” said Dr. Yousef. “I will take great pride in seeing you in the hallways of Tampa General Hospital.  Your journey will continue, and you will continue to accomplish much more in the future as you serve in the role as physician and become true difference-making doctors.

David Dunning, executive director of the James A Haley Veteran’s Hospital and Clinics in Tampa.

David Dunning, executive director of the James A Haley Veteran’s Hospital and Clinics in Tampa, took the stage after Yousef.  The JAH is currently celebrating their 50^th anniversary and long-standing partnership with USF Health.  Dunning emphasized to the students that the VA is available to help them throughout their medical school journey.

“The journey you are undertaking is not one you are doing alone.  There are 5,600 of the most dedicated health care professionals in the world at the Tampa VA and more at our partner facilities, and we stand ready to support you every step of the way,” said Dunning.  “Remember, the joy is in the journey, not the destination.”

Jody Wellcome, MCOM fourth-year medical student.

The class also heard from fourth-year medical student, Jody Wellcome.  She gave advice to the students that she has accumulated over her four years of medical school.

“You are all incredibly brilliant with so much to offer.  But not one of you nor your journeys are the same.  While there are plenty of people and resources at your disposal, remember that medicine is not a ‘one size fits all’, said Jody Wellcome.  “You have a whole community behind you ready to lend a helping hand.  Be mindful of one another, take care of each other, and celebrate each other.”

Bri Anne McKeon, MD, MCOM Obstetrics and Gynecology assistant professor.

Last to speak was Bri Anne McKeon, MD, MCOM Obstetrics and Gynecology assistant professor.  She spoke to the students about the meaning of the white coat and the responsibility that comes with it.

“Today’s white coat ceremony welcomes you into your medical training.  You’ve worked hard to get here.  If you do it right, you will continue to work hard to fill the responsibility and privilege given to you,” said Dr. McKeon.  “You are now part of a community of medical students, residents, and attendings who have come before you and will walk with you as you are on this journey.”

Her words were the perfect transition to the highlight of the ceremony.  Small groups of students were called center stage for preceptors, teachers and mentors put their first white coat on their shoulders, officially making them part of the USF Health family.  To wrap up the ceremony, Deborah DeWaay, MD, FACP, MCOM associate dean for Undergraduate Medical Education, led the students in the Oath of Commitment.

Groups of student received their first white coats in front of friends and family.

Fun facts about the class of 2026:

177 students – 121 CORE, 56 SELECT

54% Female, 46% Male

18% Under-represented minorities

Undergraduate Education:  58% Out of State, 42% In State

3.91 average GPA*

518 median MCAT score (95th percentile nationally)*

Primary Undergraduate Majors:  50 – Biology, 23 – Biomedical Science, 13 – Biochemistry and Neuroscience (tied)

More photos from the event:

*This story was updated with more current info that includes MCAT scores, national percentile ranking, and GPAs.

Story and photos by Freddie Coleman, USF Health Communications and Marketing

The Class of 2026 looks on as Edwing Daniel, PhD, MCOM dean of admissions, gives his presentation about who makes up the class.

Excitement and anticipation filled the atmosphere at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute today as the medical students of the Class of 2026 celebrated their first official day of class.

The admission team, led by Edwing Daniel, PhD, sorted through more than 5,600 applicants to select the best and brightest candidates that come from a wide variety of backgrounds including an Olympic fencer, an Indian folk dancer, and a few NCAA athletes from five Division 1 sports.

In his address to the class, Charles Lockwood, MD, MHCM, dean of MCOM and USF Health senior vice president, told the students how much the school has grown since he joined eight years ago.  The number of research grants has nearly tripled, clinical revenue has nearly doubled, performance on the USMLE Step 1 and 2 exams are well above the national average, and USF Health has strengthened its relationship Tampa General Hospital, its primary teaching hospital.   Dr. Lockwood also reiterated to the group the resources available to them as they navigate the next four years transforming from student to doctor.

Charles Lockwood, MD, MHCM, MCOM dean and USF Health senior vice president addressing the medical students of the Class of 2026.

“You have joined us at a momentous time in our history, a period when our medical school is making great advances in all three of our core missions of education, research, and patient care,” Dr. Lockwood said.  “But you are also joining us during a transformative moment for the field of medicine, coming off of a major public health crisis of the past century with long-lasting implications for the practice of medicine across the globe.”

Class of 2026 profile:

177 students – 121 Core, 56 SELECT

54% Female, 46% Male

18% Under-represented minorities

Undergraduate Education:  58% Out of State, 42% In State

3.91 average GPA*

More images from the first day of class:

*This story was updated with more current info that includes GPAs.

After more than a decade interviewing and admitting students based on their levels of emotional intelligence, Joann Farrell Quinn, PhD, MBA, has learned that many times the best students are those who show a high level of interest in developing stronger emotional intelligence.

Before the official first day for newest class of medical students, the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine hosts a one-week orientation for students in the program called  SELECT (Scholarly Excellence, Leadership Experiences, Collaborative Training).  SELECT students are admitted based on intellectual perspective, empathy, creativity, and passion to drive change in healthcare.  This group will spend their first two-years in Tampa, and finish medical school, professional development and leadership training at Lehigh Valley Health Network in Allentown, Penn.

Dr. Quinn, associate professor in the Morsani College of Medicine and director of the SELECT Competency Assessment, has been part of the program since 2015 and has interviewed more than 60 students eager to take a coveted seat in an incoming class for USF Health’s medical school. The SELECT program prepares students to be physician leaders who can accelerate change in health care.  The program was built on the principle that students with high emotional intelligence are more likely to develop the skills needed to transform health care and improve the health of communities.   Such students tend to be more engaging, compassionate physicians who will connect deeply with their patients and their families and be more effective as team members and team leaders.

Joann Farrell Quinn, PhD, MBA, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine associate professor and director of the SELECT Competency Assessment.

Dr. Quinn is a nationally recognized expert in emotional intelligence and her team at MCOM uses a common assessment tool developed by Daniel Goleman, world-renowned journalist, psychiatrist and author, to measure the emotional intelligence of candidates.  She said the school uses this model because candidates are evaluated on whether they believe in what they do or say.

Emotional intelligence includes everything outside of cognitive intelligence. Cognitive intelligence is knowledge developed from existing information.   Emotional intelligence refers to a person’s ability to manage their own emotions and understands the emotions of others.  According to Dr. Quinn, strong emotionally intelligent people will be more successful in leadership roles.

“Effective leaders can’t only develop professionally; they must also develop personally,” Dr. Quinn said.  “Leadership is truly a framework of your own social and emotional competencies.  You’re only as good as your understanding of what’s happening with yourself and others, your ability to manage yourself and your relationships.”

During the interview process for the SELECT program, prospective students are essentially asked to describe two scenarios: A time when they felt effective as a team member or leader, and a time when they didn’t.  This gives evaluators the opportunity to hear about what they said and did in various situations, often alluding to their competencies.   She understands that students come from a wide array of backgrounds and experiences.  However, she doesn’t whole-heartedly believe the best students are the ones who already display a high level of emotional intelligence.  She believes some of the best students are those who show a high level of interest in developing stronger emotional intelligence.

No other allopathic medical school in the country has a program like USF Health’s SELECT program. About 24 schools have leadership education and development training for medical students, Quinn explained.  Medical school curriculum leaders at MCOM collaborate regularly with other colleges to share ideas and best practices on how to deliver effective leadership development across all four years of medical school.  The goal is to continue to train and graduate more doctors with strong academic, social, and emotional competencies to drive change in the country’s health care system.

“This is a small number of schools and there’s a lot of work that still needs to be done,” she said. “We haven’t really explored what ‘leadership’ truly is as it pertains to physicians in leadership roles.  Leaders of medical schools must buy in to the concept of physician leadership training if we’re going affect positive change in the health care system.”

Photos below are from Prologue 2 and Summer Immersion. Prologue 2 is part of an orientation for first-year SELECT students.  Summer Immersion allows students to create an individualized learning experience that focuses on an area of the student’s interest and builds upon he basic principles of safety, quality, patient-centered care, and leadership.  The course takes place between the first and second year in Tampa, Lehigh Valley, other places in the country or internationally.  The experience results in a scholarly product that is shared with peers and faculty upon return to campus.  First-year medical students listened and learned from second-year students and they presented their scholarly work and spoke about their experience with SELECT.