Chapter 34: White Coat Ceremony

August 23, 1985, McKinley, Ohio

On Friday morning, after Elizaveta and I ran, showered, and had breakfast, we dressed, then headed to the medical school together for the 'White Coat' ceremony. When we arrived, Elizaveta went to the auditorium, and I went to the cafeteria, where the incoming class of 129 students would assemble before the ceremony. I went to the table to check in and was handed my white coat in a sealed plastic bag. I could see my name stitched above the right pocket — 'M. Loucks' — so I was sure it was the correct one.

"Please open the bag and dispose of it before we leave the cafeteria," the Third Year med student at the table instructed.

"Got it."

"And please fill out this name card, which you'll hand to Doctor Warren when you walk onto the stage to be cloaked."

He handed me a card, which I accepted. I went to a table where a number of felt-tip pens were laid out and wrote 'Michael Peter Loucks' on the card, then went to the table where coffee and doughnuts were. I poured coffee for myself, selected a blueberry doughnut, then went to sit by Maryam.

"Good morning, Deacon!" she said brightly.

"Good morning, Maryam. Are your parents here?"

"Yes! Along with my sister, my brothers, and my best friend from back home."

"I'd like to meet them after the ceremony, if possible."

"Yes, of course! They would like to meet you as well. They're very happy I found an Orthodox study partner, well, part of the group."

"And Father Nicholas is pleased that you're going to attend services. He'll be here today, so I'll make sure to introduce you."

"Morning, Petrovich!" Clarissa said, sitting down with us.

"Hi, Lissa! I assume your parents made it."

"They did. They met Abby last night."

"How did that go?" I asked.

"Mom was polite; Dad looked like he would have preferred to be anywhere else!"

"Well, if he was at least civil, you've made some serious progress."

"Morning!" Fran said, joining us.

Before we could answer, Sandy and Peter said 'Good morning' as well.

"Everybody ready to officially become a medical student?" Fran asked.

There were nods and murmurs of assent from everyone.

"Is everyone coming to the concert tonight?" Sandy asked.

"I didn't see that on the schedule," Peter said.

"It's not at the med school," Sandy replied. "It's at Taft. Mike is giving a concert for incoming Freshmen. He's done that the last couple of years. His band, Code Blue, will play a few songs, too."

"You have a band?" Maryam asked.

"We're not quite ready for prime time, but we'll do a couple of songs tonight with the blessing of the bishop."

"Solo otherwise?"

"No. One of my bandmates, José, sings with me, and so will a music lecturer from Taft, and I'll do a duet with my wife as well."

"Wow! Where is it?"

"In the main auditorium at Taft. I doubt there are tickets left, but you and Peter can come backstage if you want."

"What time?"

"7:00pm," I replied.

"Would I be able to bring my sister?"

"Sure!"

A student marshal called for everyone's attention and asked us to line up according to the number on our card.

"Looks like I'm first from our study group," Peter said.

"And I'm last," Clarissa added.

We all opened our bags, removed our coats, tossed the plastic in a receptacle, and moved to the assembly area. We formed five lines, and I stood near the end of the second line, something I was used to after years of alphabetical arrangement. No matter whether it was forward or reverse order, I was always close to the middle. Once, just once, I wished they would use a 'middle-out' method, alternating moving forward and backward in the alphabet.

Once everyone was lined up, we proceeded to the auditorium, filed into rows of seats at the front, and remained standing as we had been instructed to do. I looked around and saw everyone I'd expected to be in attendance, except my dad, though I wasn't all that surprised not to see him. Liz waved, but I simply smiled and didn't wave back.

Once everyone had filed in, Doctor Warren, the Dean, came to the podium, greeted us, and asked us to sit. He spoke for several minutes about the challenges of medical school education, a speech I felt was intended more for our guests than for us. When he finished, he introduced Doctor Malik Washington, who was representing the Medical School Alumni and who I remembered from when he'd treated Deacon Grigory following his heart attack. Doctor Washington explained, after his remarks, that the caduceus pins on our new white coats were a gift from the Alumni Association.

When Doctor Washington finished, Doctor Warren came back to the podium and asked us in the first row to stand and come to the stage to be cloaked. Doctor Warren accepted the card from the first student, and the 'cloaking' began, with each student helped into their coat by either Doctor Mertens, if they were female, or Doctor Worth, if they were male. After three students whose names began with 'A', he announced 'Peter Alexander Baldwin', and a pair of students later, 'Frances Juliette Carlson'.

More than a score of students were 'cloaked' before Doctor Warren announced 'Maryam Abigail Khouri'. After one more student, it was my turn.

"Michael Peter Loucks."

My friends and family applauded and cheered, as had many others before them. Doctor Worth helped me into my coat, and I walked across the stage. As I turned to go down the steps to return to my seat, I saw my dad standing in the back of the auditorium, near the door. His simple appearance gave me SOME hope, though so far, there had been no movement of any kind towards reconciliation.

There were quite a few more students before he called out 'Sandra Virginia Pierce', and then a few students after her, 'Clarissa Nicole Saunders', who received cheers from my family and friends, as well as her parents and Abby. Finally, the last student was called, and we were all asked to stand to recite the Medical Student Pledge of Ethics, which was projected on a screen in the front of the auditorium.

I publicly acknowledge and accept the privileges and responsibilities given to me today as a physician-in-training, and I dedicate myself to providing care to those in need.
I will approach all aspects of my education with honesty and integrity, embracing opportunities to learn from patients, teachers, and colleagues.
I will always maintain the highest standards of professional conduct.
I will certify only that which I have personally verified, and I will neither receive nor give unauthorized assistance on examinations.
I will value the wisdom and knowledge of the physicians who have preceded me.
I will recognize my weaknesses and strengths and strive to develop those qualities that will earn the respect of my patients, my colleagues, my family, and myself.
I will respect the humanity, rights, and decisions of all patients and will attend to them with compassion and without any bias or discrimination.
I will maintain the confidentiality of my patients and be tactful and compassionate in my words and actions.

I will not forget that there is an art to medicine as well as a science and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding are integral to patient care.
I will strive to earn the trust my patients place in me and the respect that society places upon my profession.
I will recognize the privileges afforded to me as a physician-in-training and promise not to abuse them.
I agree that even as a student, I have a responsibility to advance medical knowledge.
As I accept these new responsibilities, I will not forget the importance of my own health and well-being.
I will continue to value my relations with those who have supported me in the past and those who will share in my future.
Knowing my own limitations and those of medicine, I commit myself to a lifelong journey of learning how to cure, relieve, and comfort with humility and compassion.
I make these promises solemnly, freely, and upon my honor.

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of 1989," Doctor Warren said, "I congratulate you and welcome you, officially, as medical students at McKinley Medical School."

There was a loud round of applause and cheering, and we were dismissed to join our families and friends in the cafeteria for punch and cookies. I looked around for my dad but didn't see him in the auditorium or the cafeteria, so I went to Father Nicholas and received his blessing and congratulations, and then got hugs from Elizaveta, my mom, sister, and friends, the white coat allowing me a tiny bit of freedom, even if the hugs technically violated protocol.

When I had a chance, I pulled Liz aside.

"What happened to Dad?" I asked.

"I guess he didn't come," she replied.

"No, I saw him standing in the very back of the auditorium by the door. I guess he ducked out."

"I suspect he was trying to avoid Paul and me."

"Or Mom. But whatever his reason, I'm going to take it as an opportunity to call him."

"Paul and I will be at the concert tonight; Mindy invited us."

"Cool! Sorry, but I need to introduce Maryam to Father Nicholas."

"Congrats, Mikey. I know you're going to make an awesome doctor!"

"Thanks, Liz."

I walked over to where Maryam was standing with her parents, brothers, and her little sister who looked to be about sixteen and was cute as a button.

"Mom, Dad, this is Deacon Michael; Deacon Michael, my mother and father, Rebekah and George; my brothers George and Rafael; and my sister Gabriela."

"Nice to meet all of you," I said.

"Nice to meet you, Deacon," the elder George said. "We're very happy Maryam met you."

"Our parish priest is here, and I'd like to introduce you."

"Yes, of course!" George agreed.

We walked over to Father Nicholas, and I introduced the Khouris. They began chatting, so I went to find Clarissa and her parents. I spent a few minutes speaking with them and Abby, then went back to where my mom and grandparents were standing.

"Is it 'Doctor' Mike, in addition to Deacon Michael, now?" my grandmother asked.

"No," I replied with a gentle smile. "I'm a medical student, and that's mostly what I'll be called, though when I'm doing my hands-on training, I might be called either a 'student doctor' or 'student physician' by the doctor who is supervising me. In four years, Lord willing, I'll receive my MD, and THEN it will be 'Doctor Mike'."

"So, you can't help me with this pain in my side?" she asked with a twinkle in her eye.

I chuckled, "YOU married him, Grandma!"

Everyone broke out in uproarious laughter, including my grandfather.

"And now I know exactly where Deacon Michael gets his sense of humor!" Father Nicholas said, shaking his head.

"You didn't have to live with him, Father!" Liz teased, shaking her head.

"Mike," my father-in-law said, "everyone is invited to lunch at the Country Club. I already let them know, and they all accepted."

"Thanks," I replied.

"11:30am," he said. "I've asked the staff to ensure there are plenty of fasting-acceptable options."

I said 'goodbye' to my friends, promising to see them at the concert later in the evening, and then I took Elizaveta's hand and walked towards the door. I stopped in the coat room, took off my white coat, handed it to Elizaveta, and then put on my ryassa. We walked out to my car, got in, and headed home.

"You'll wear this coat all the time at school?" she asked.

"Except for wearing scrubs in anatomy class because we'll be doing dissections."

"Like in High School?"

"Not quite. We dissect cadavers."

"Bodies?!" she gasped.

"What did you expect, Kitten? Frogs? Fetal pigs? Bunny rabbits?"

"Uhm, well, no; I guess I just didn't think about it. It sounds gross!"

"Nobody said YOU have to do it, Kitten!" I chuckled. "But I enjoy my hands-on examinations of YOUR anatomy!"

Elizaveta giggled, "Probing deeply?"

"I might be convinced to give you a physical before lunch. We'll have about twenty-five minutes at home!"

"Drive faster!"

Twenty-four minutes after we'd arrived home, Elizaveta and I were dressed once again and walked out to the car to drive to the country club for lunch.

"THAT was fun!" Elizaveta giggled. "Fast, but fun!"

"Will that tide you over until tonight, then?"

"I suppose; it's not as if I have a choice."

"Remember, we need to be home by 2:00pm. José and Dona will be here so he and I can practice. And then we'll meet the others at Taft at 6:15pm, so we have time to run through our songs a couple of times in the music room."

"Dinner is pasta and marinara sauce. I made the sauce yesterday while you were in orientation. There's more than enough for José and Dona to join us. I have ingredients for a salad, and there's bread, of course."

"Sounds good to me."

"Can you get a second lab coat?" Elizaveta asked.

"Yes. They offer replacement coats for a fee. I was thinking of getting a second one just in case."

"That makes sense because if you stain it, it'll probably need to go to the dry cleaners. I think you should have it starched, too. It'll look much nicer."

"I positively hate starched shirts!" I replied.

"Well, this will be over your cassock, so it won't be nearly as bad."

"True," I agreed.

"On Monday, get another coat, please."

"Yes, Dear," I chuckled.

"I believe that comment deserves attention from my flogger!"

"I was chuckling!" I protested.

"And any objection to the penalty enhances it!"

I simply nodded because anything I said was only going to ensure she smacked me harder and more times. It made her VERY excited, but the tradeoff was a red butt and a bit of pain.

Lunch with the extended family, minus my dad, was good, and Liz and my mom seemed to be making a bit of progress, though I noticed that Mom avoided talking to or even looking at Paul unless she had to. We finished lunch and arrived home just before 2:00pm to see José and Dona getting out of her Celica.

"Hi, Mike!" José said, coming over to shake my hand when I got out of my Mustang.

"Hi!" I replied.

Dona and Elizaveta greeted each other, and the four of us went around the main house and into our cottage. I changed out of my cassock and into shorts and a T-shirt, then got my guitar and joined the others in the living room. Dona came over and gave me a quick hug and a peck on the cheek then she and Elizaveta went into the kitchen.

"Did you practice much over the Summer?" he asked.

"As much as I could once we came back from Europe. You?"

"I took my guitar with us to Argentina, so probably a bit more than you. Shall we start?"

"Yes."

We practiced for about two hours and decided we were satisfied, then joined the girls for lemonade which we took outside to the garden.

"All set for Monday?" José asked.

"As set as I'm going to be," I replied. "We hit the ground running, so it's going to be tough right from the first minute of the first class, which is anatomy."

"Are you used to wearing your cassock basically everywhere?" Dona asked.

"Yes," I replied. "It's one of those things which is normal in the world in which I grew up. I know it's weird for you, but for me, it's just part of life. But if you think about it, it's not all that different from a uniform worn by, say, a phone company employee or the usual Western clergy clothing. Sure, the style is different and stands out, but it serves the same function."

"I guess I hadn't thought of it that way because it's so distinctive."

"Which is part of the value," I replied. "It reminds everyone, including me, that I have a specific calling."

"And wearing shorts and a T-shirt?"

"In a sense, it's no different from, say, an off-duty police officer or fireman, or even an off-duty Protestant clergyman who doesn't wear his suit, or for some groups, a clerical shirt and collar. Of course, I'm never really 'off duty', as it were, but the point remains. If someone were to come to see me in some kind of official capacity, I'd put on my ryassa which is hanging just inside the door. And I think I explained what my bishop said about athletic and leisure activities — I can go swimming, and so on, without any concerns."

"Did anyone say anything at the medical school?" José asked.

"Someone complained, but nothing came of it. The only concession I had to make, if you even want to call it that, is that I agreed to wear a coat and tie for the formal yearbook picture. My cassock certainly qualifies for 'professional' attire. The guys will all wear shirts and ties under their lab coats the way you see doctors do, and I'll wear my cassock."

"What about girls?" Dona asked. "Do they have to wear dresses or skirts?"

"No. Apparently, that used to be the rule, but it changed in the 70s. And, of course, we'll all wear scrubs if we're doing anything that could be, well, 'messy', I guess. Think about when you see your doctor — how does he or she dress?"

"Men in ties and women in skirts," she said. "At least in their offices. When I had sinus surgery about ten years ago, everyone was in scrubs."

"There you go," I replied.

"Who complained?" José asked.

I shrugged, "Don't know; don't care. What DID bother me, on the other hand, was a Muslim guy who I had hoped would be part of our study group simply turning his back and walking away once he found out Clarissa was a lesbian."

Dona rolled her eyes and exclaimed, "Oh, for Pete's sake!"

"Not surprising," José said. "I've encountered quite a few Catholics with the same attitude."

"And Protestants," I replied. "And Orthodox. No religion has a monopoly on that kind of bigotry."

"And y'all wonder why I have ZERO interest in church," Dona said, shaking her head.

"Changing topics," José said. "Something I meant to mention earlier, Mike. A Japan Airlines flight crashed about two weeks ago, and Kyu Sakamoto, who was famous for the song Ue o Muite Arukō was killed."

"Bummer. I think we might want to lead off with that tonight. Are you comfortable doing that?"