The White Coat

The white lab coat has been a symbol of the medical profession for decades.  The symbolism is so important that many medical schools hold a “white coat” ceremony at the beginning of the academic year to mark the start of 1st year students’ new devotion to the practice of medicine.  I can remember wearing the coat for the first time as a medical student.  It felt like a tremendous honor to be invited into the profession that I had spent all of college preparing for.  But at the same time, it was pretty nerve wracking to know what the coat symbolized; that I would one day be responsible for my patient’s health and in some cases, decisions that could mean the difference between life and death.

Now, nine years after I first slipped that white coat over my shoulders, I have completed my medical training and the coat has taken a more practical role.  It serves as a uniform to be worn both in the outpatient clinic and inpatient hospital settings and helps patients instantly identify me as their doctor.  The coat also helps to shield my skin and clothing from exposure to various chemicals and bodily fluids while on the job.  I’ll let you use your imagination on that one ;-).  Still, I’ve never forgotten what the white coat symbolizes and am continually honored and humbled by the study and practice of medicine.

Living dangerously here!  Black Coffee is the natural arch nemesis to the clean white coat.  I can’t tell you how many coats I’ve ruined by spilling coffee, leaked pen ink, or any other myriad of fluids over the coat.  Fortunately, this coat by Medelita is stain resistant so the coffee stain woes may be less of an issue.

There really isn’t a right or wrong way to style the coat.  You can throw it on over scrubs before a hospital shift.  Or you can wear it over dress clothes on clinic days. The white color really goes with everything.  I can’t recall a single time when I thought, “Oh I can’t wear that tie or those shoes, they will clash with my white coat.”

 

Wearing: Medelita Coat 

I’ve taken this crisp white coat by Medelita on the ultimate trial by fire by wearing it to 12-hour hospital shifts, overnight shifts, and afternoons in clinic over the past week.  The coat has served me well and has met all the demands of busy life as a internal medicine doctor.  I love the deep pockets which have plenty of room for my prescription pads, reflex hammer, and stethoscope.  As an added bonus, the material has a brighter white color than the white coats I’ve worn in the past.  Even after a week of heavy use, the coat still looks crisp and clean.  I would recommend this coat to any doctor wanting to take a polished professional look to the next level.