CUSM Celebrates Inaugural White Coat Ceremony
On July 22, 2018, California University of Science and Medicine’s (CUSM) Class of 2022 donned their white coats for the first time in a ceremony that is both a beginning of learning and a celebration of accomplishment. CUSM was pleased to include Dr. Darrell Kirch, President and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges as the keynote speaker. During the ceremony, CUSM President Dr. Dev GnanaDev recognized Founder and Chairman of the Board, Dr. Prem Reddy with the Visionary Spirit Award.
Please enjoy the video.
Dr. Darryll G. Kirch, President of the Association of American Medical Colleges traveled from Washington, D.C. for the occasion to deliver the keynote address during which he reminisced about experiences as a new physician and what he described a series of “gifts” that each student will receive as others invest in their training and place their lives in their care.
“This was a young couple having their first child and they had given me the gift of allowing me to participate in one of the most intimate moments of their lives. That’s the story of medicine. That’s the story of your white coat. You will have it become more and more part of you. More and more natural. Because of the gift patients allow us to receive,” said Dr. Kirch. “Which really begs the question, what gift are we going to give back?”
He encouraged students to solve challenges facing the medical community, to support each other throughout their careers and to embrace advancements in technology while delivering care with compassion and empathy.
The ceremony also included the University’s first award which recognized Dr. Prem Reddy, Founder and Chairman of the Board, with the Visionary Spirit Award. Dr. Dev GnanaDev, CUSM President said “Dr. Reddy, physician, entrepreneur and philanthropist, was born into a family of proud leaders in rural India where he learned the values and guiding principles that led to his remarkable accomplishments and generosity. During his 25 years of practice he performed more than 5,000 cardiac procedures.” Dr. GnanaDev continued to describe Dr. Reddy’s founding of Prime Healthcare Services and the Prime Healthcare Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the focus of which has been to save hospitals, transform them into thriving community assets, and give back to the community.
“Dr. Reddy has had a life-long passion for healing and education, and is deeply committed to the study and practice of medicine, providing students the opportunities he had and is truly grateful for. The Reddy family, including Dr. Venkamma Reddy and Dr. Kavitha Reddy Bhatia made a $60 million commitment to fund The California University of Science and Medicine. We are forever in their debt for their extraordinary gift,” concluded Dr. GnanaDev.
“This is the culmination of a long dream and hard work over many, many years…I was the first in many generations to go to school, let alone medical school. This has to be one of the best stories of the American dream come true. I credit this entirely to this mightiest nation on earth of immigrants. With boundless opportunities and extreme tolerance. May God bless these United States of America,” said Dr. Reddy.
To the future doctors in the audience, he said, “The world will always need compassion, hope, humanity and goodness. We believe that medicine has the ability to change lives and therefore change the world. We are honored to support your dreams, your future in medicine, and most importantly your commitment to giving. We wish you the best of luck.”
