Creighton University

Esther Chang (standing) participates in Creighton University's 'white coat' ceremony for student physicians at its Phoenix campus on July 29,2021.

Creighton University’s School of Medicine welcomed its first group of medical students to its central Phoenix campus.

One-hundred students began their four-year journey by taking part in a traditional white coat ceremony. They also recited a student physician’s oath pledging to respect their teachers and colleagues and give their life and talents to serve humanity.

“At this medical school what you have in your hearts is every bit as important as what you have in your heads,” Dr. Robert Dunlay, Creighton School of Medicine dean, told the students. “That’s why our curriculum has a strong emphasis on humanity and ethics. This balanced approach helps foster the empathy and resiliency that you’re going to need for a long and satisfying career.”

With the opening of its Phoenix campus, Creighton, which is based in Omaha, says it’s positioned to become the nation’s largest Catholic health professions educator. When the Phoenix campus fully opens this fall, Creighton expects to serve 900 students preparing to become doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants and therapists.

Creighton provided these highlights of the 100 members of Class of 2025:

• 21 first-generation college students
• 23 students from Arizona
• Students from 23 states (AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, IL, IA, KS, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NE, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, SD, UT, WA, WI)
• Students from four countries (Japan, Mexico, Taiwan, United States)