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265 Start in Jefferson Medical College's Class of 2017

By Tim Jimenez

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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Members of the Class of 2017 at Jefferson Medical College kicked off their med school journeys today at the school's annual "white coat ceremony."

After reciting the Hippocratic oath, the 265 first-year medical students slipped on their white physician's coats with the help of loved ones.

"It's a symbol of trust that the patients put in you," says Kathleen.  "It's a symbol that you'll keep their lives private, you'll keep their secrets.  It's wearing responsibility on your shoulders."

Kathleen also told her father she'd help pay off the student loans, eventually.

Jared Marshall had his emotional and proud father help him with his coat (below).

Jared said he had the changing world of health care in America on his mind, "in terms of the technology, in terms of the legal aspects of it.  I think it's exciting, and I wouldn't do it any differently -- I'd be in this profession no matter what,"

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(Jared Miller's parents help him into his white physician's coat. Credit: Tim Jimenez)

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Keynote speaker Dr. Vincenzo Bherghella, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Jefferson, told the students there was a difference between a job, a career, and a calling, and this was their calling.  He ended his speech by saying, "Be a healer, Go and save the world."

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