WMed invites friends of the medical school to participate in the 2021 White Coat Sponsorship Program and welcome the 84 incoming Class of 2025 students as they embark on the path to becoming physicians. Each year, the White Coat Sponsorship Program raises funds to support the White Coat Ceremony – a special rite of passage – where each entering medical student is presented with their first white coat, a WMed branded stethoscope, tuning fork, reflex hammer, personal protective equipment (PPE), and apparel necessary for their coursework and clinical applications. The White Coat Ceremony will take place Saturday, September 11, at 2:00 p.m. inside the Miller Auditorium where each first-year students will receive their first white coat of their medical career in the presence of family, friends, sponsors, and the WMed community. As this time-honored tradition draws near, less than 20 incoming students remain without sponsors.
It is a wonderful experience for sponsors to make personal connections with our first-year medical students,” said Jack Mosser, associate dean for Development and Alumni Affairs. “Often, our students and their white coat sponsors stay in touch throughout medical school, into residency training, and beyond.”
Sponsoring an incoming WMed student is a rewarding experience for both students and donors of WMed. Classic sponsorship opportunities begin at $500 and increase if you choose to sponsor more than one student.
“Being a white coat sponsor affirms our community's commitment to our students' success, and giving to this program allows my wife and me to make a personal connection to our students as they begin their medical school journey. I look forward to continuing my relationship with these individuals throughout their educational journey and mentoring them in any way I can,” said Dr. Tim Garrow, Professor of Biomedical Sciences and Director of the MS program in Biomedical Sciences. He and his wife, Dr. Linda Garrow are sponsoring three students this year.
Donors are invited to write a personal note of congratulations, which is placed in the pocket of their student’s white coat and attend the ceremony to witness the important milestone take place.
“For us, the program is a way to really see the impact we have in the lives of future physicians. For students, the sponsorship provides an affirming and empowering experience at the very beginning of their medical education where the support and encouragement is needed most,” said Steve McKiddy, CFO of Greenleaf Trust and Chairman of the WMed Dean’s Circle Leadership Giving Society. McKiddy and his wife, Amy, are sponsoring two incoming students this year.
2021 White Coat sponsorship levels:
- · Classic Sponsor - $500 to support 1 student
- · Bronze Sponsor - $1,500 to support 3 students
- · Silver Sponsor - $2,500 to support 5 students [Reserved]
- · Gold Sponsor - $5,000 to support 10 students
- · Platinum Sponsor – $10,000 to support 20 students [Reserved]
If you are interested in participating in this time-sensitive opportunity, please contact Advancement Services Coordinator Joel Saukas at joel.saukas@wmed.edu or by phone at 269.337.6302. To learn more about the program, visit med.wmich.edu/giving/whitecoat. You may complete your sponsorship request online using a credit card through the secure giving portal. To support the program by check, please make your check payable to: WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine and in the memo section of your check please write “2021 White Coat Sponsorship Program” and mail it to: WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Office of Development and Alumni Affairs, 1000 Oakland Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49008.