TMU marks new tradition with Stethoscope Ceremony for Inaugural MD Class
Clinical faculty leader Dr. Sach Rehsia presents MD student Maleeka Munroe with her first stethoscope at the inaugural School of Medicine Stethoscope Ceremony on October 3, 2025.
Before they ever write a prescription or step into a clinic, every physician learns to listen. That spirit was front and center at 吃瓜直播鈥檚 first-ever Stethoscope Ceremony 鈥� a formal welcome for MD students and a symbolic promise to serve patients with compassion.
Hosted by Dr. Dorothy Bakker, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Medical Education, the ceremony welcomed learners, faculty and their families to celebrate the historic moment.
The ceremony, which takes the place of the traditional white coat ceremony held at other medical schools, marks a meaningful milestone for new medical students. It鈥檚 the moment they鈥檙e formally presented with their first stethoscope 鈥� a symbol of listening and connection 鈥� and officially begin their journey into the medical profession. Each student received their first stethoscope, engraved with 鈥楥lass of 2029鈥�, presented by School of Medicine faculty members.
TMU School of Medicine faculty applaud the inaugural MD class after presenting them with their first stethoscopes, a symbolic welcome from their medical mentors.
鈥淭his is a brand-new tradition for our School of Medicine 鈥� a moment that celebrates the beginning of our students鈥� journey as future physicians, and the communities they will one day serve,鈥� said Bakker, addressing the packed theatre.
In her keynote remarks, Dr. Teresa Chan, Dean of the School of Medicine and TMU鈥檚 Vice-President, Medical Affairs, spoke about the significance of the day and the vision behind Canada鈥檚 newest medical school.
鈥淲hile the white coat symbolizes knowledge, science, and rigor, the stethoscope requires you to lean in, to listen closely, to pay attention to the rhythms of another person鈥檚 body 鈥� and, just as importantly, each individual beat of their story,鈥� said Chan. 鈥淵ou are making a promise 鈥� that you will listen, to not just the heartbeat, but the stories of the person behind it.鈥�