The Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Biomedical students at Madison Consolidated High School are being honored for the first time at Madison’s White Coat Ceremony. The ceremony will take place November 29 at 7:00 pm in the school Auditorium. The students are being honored for their dedication to the biomedical classes over the course of three years. PLTW biomedical classes are for students who may be interested in a career within the medical or science field.

The classes focus on specific cases and medical conditions as well as using proper science and medical technology tools. The first year biomedical class focuses on a fictitious character named Anna Garcia who suffers many medical complications which ultimately led to her death. The students work to figure out how Anna died by researching and learning about her different illnesses as well as completing labs and forensic techniques to solve Anna’s case.

The second year biomedical class involves the study of all the human body systems. Students work through medical cases and complete many labs during their study of how the body works.

The third year biomedical class focuses on major illnesses such as cancer, genetic engineering, organ transplants, and other autoimmune diseases through the Smith family.

PLTW Biomedical teacher Stephanie Shaw said, “I am excited for our first ceremony. This year there is a large number of students within the third year classes so it made sense to have a ceremony.”

During the ceremony, first, second, and third year students will all be honored. The first year students will receive a certificate and second year students will receive a Caduceus lapel pin as well as a certificate. Third year students will be the honorees of the night, in which they will receive a certificate, a pin, and a white lab coat with their names embroidered on it (an important rite of passage that denotes the starting of an important chapter in becoming a doctor). The white coats are used to encourage these students to continue down their medical career path. The third year students will also recite the Hippocratic Oath, and although not all of the students will continue to medical school, all of them are committed to medical careers in which they will help others.

Third year Biomedical student Latasha Vasquez stated, “I am very excited about receiving a lab coat because it motivates me to pursue my studies in order to receive my actual lab coat.”

Shaw stated, “I have three medical professionals lined up to speak to the students and other attendees. They will help pass out the items and speak about the future of the medical field. After the students receive their awards, we will have a small reception.”

Madison’s first White Coat Ceremony will be held on November 29th in the Opal E. Sherman Auditorium to congratulate our future health care professionals.