Class of 2027’s Clinician Investiture event transitions students to the second half of medical school – School of Medicine News

After two years of lectures and labs within the confines of Scott Hall and virtual meetings via computer, the Class of 2027 is moving on to the second half of its four-year medical education journey – two years of clinical rotations filled with actual patient encounters.

Starting next week, the class of nearly 300 students will be in hospitals at the bedside.

“It’s a lot different than studying in the library all day,” said Laura Sansoterra. “I’m really excited to dive right in. It’s what we’re here for.”

For many of her classmates, the excitement of doing comes with plenty of nerves, and even doubts.

“It’s a lot of pressure,” said Vidhi Sharma. “This is what we came to medical school for.”

The medical students had a chance to reflect on what’s to come in the transition to their third year during the School of Medicine’s annual Clinician Investiture, held March 28 at Wayne State University’s McGregor Memorial Conference Center.

The event is the capstone of the Class of 2027’s pre-clerkship phase, a key mile marker on the School of Medicine’s Highways to Excellence M.D. curriculum. 

The event emphasized the educational commitment of the extended Wayne community in preparing medical students to provide compassionate, collaborative and scientifically excellent care to all patients as they move into clerkships.

“You will apply your knowledge to your understanding of disease and patient care,” said Dean Wael Sakr, M.D. “Succeeding in this new phase is built on the solid foundation of understanding the fundamentals of medicine – anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and pathology.”

The occasion, hosted by the Medical Alumni Association and the Office of Student Affairs and Career Development, included remarks from university leadership and the School of Medicine community, such as basic science and clinical teaching faculty, staff, administration and peers.

The program also included reassuring words from Class of 2026 medical students Kia Sweeney and Jackson Ferris.

“Although exhausting, this will be the most memorable year of your Wayne training if you put in the effort that is expected of you,” Ferris said.

The program focused on the professional attributes that mark the essence of a Wayne Warrior M.D., and each student received a commemorative stethoscope and lapel pin. The program concluded with students reciting the Wayne State Pledge of Ethics and Professionalism before proceeding to onboarding next week for core clinical clerkships such as Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Pediatrics, and Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The keynote speaker was Clinical Assistant Professor David Amponsah, M.D., head the Henry Ford Health Department of Emergency Medicine’s Ultrasound Division and director of Ultrasound Curriculum at the School of Medicine. He reminded students to take great care of their patients with empathy, effective communication and shared decision-making. He also encouraged them to be mindful of their own health and wellness while sharing his own experience as a cancer patient who has undergone three transplants.

“Please learn to take care of yourself, because tomorrow is not promised to anyone,” he said.