More than 150 new medical students received their white coats last month in a traditional ceremony welcoming them to the College of Osteopathic Medicine at the California Health Sciences University in Clovis.

The white coats were sponsored by the Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California, an association that serves more than 9,000 current and future doctors of osteopathic medicine in the state.

Dr. John Graneto, the college’s dean, shared the history of the white coat and the importance of maintaining professionalism and humanism:

“Over the next four years we provide you the scientific and clinical tools to ultimately become doctors. And just as importantly, this white coat symbolizes many other essential parts of your medical education, a standard of professionalism, caring and humanism; and its emblem of the trust you must earn from and display to patients and their families,” he said at the Sept. 28 ceremony.

CHSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine is accredited by the American Osteopathic Assocation’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation. Currently, more than 575 students attend the college, which graduated its inaugural class in May after achieving a 100% residency match rate.

Disclosure: GV Wire Publisher Darius Assemi is a CHSU trustee, and his family founded the university.