Photo Credit: Todd Brown (2010)

377 students benefit from donors’ generosity

Each year, with the help of physicians throughout the state, we are able to provide a white coat and personal message of encouragement to every first-year medical student who attends school in Wisconsin. The White Coat Campaign provides a wonderful opportunity for physicians from different generations to connect and allows practicing and retired physicians to make a difference in the lives of medical students.

Individual physicians, county medical societies and health care groups are asked to sponsor one or more white coats for first-year medical students attending school in Wisconsin. In addition to covering the cost of the coat, the sponsoring physician has the opportunity to write a quick note of welcome and encouragement to the student. That note is given to the student when they receive that first white coat. Students also receive a pre-addressed blank notecard and are asked to send a note of thanks to their sponsoring physician.

To see some of the inspiring messages of encouragement that your colleagues shared with the incoming class, click here.

We thank the many physicians and organizations who participated in the 2011 White Coat Campaign and who ensured that all students were sponsored. Special thanks to the following organizations and individuals who contributed to sponsor four or more students this year:

• Clarence Chou, MD
• Noel Deep, MD
• Gundersen Lutheran Health System
• Ralph Hudson, MD
• Thomas Kloosterboer, MD
• Manitowoc County Medical Society
• Suzanne Martens, MD
• Richard L. Page, MD
• Pierce-St. Croix County Medical Society
• Prevea Health
• Racine County Medical Society
• Craig Samitt, MD
• Trempealeau-Jackson-Buffalo County Medical Society
• Thomas F. Walker, MD
• Waukesha County Medical Society
• Wood County Medical Society

The 2012 White Coat Campaign

Whether you have been a loyal participant in this rewarding program or if this would be your first time, we hope you will join us for the 2012 White Coat Campaign. The donation to sponsor each student is $75, so to sponsor a student at each school would be $150. Funds are used to purchase and embroider the coat and help cover other costs of this and other student programs.

To participate, call Eileen Wilson at 866.442.3800, ext. 3722 or e-mail her at eileen.wilson@wismed.org and note the number of students you would like to sponsor. We will send you additional details and a blank notecard to use for your message to the student(s) you are sponsoring.