New students of the UCI School of Medicine began their journey to becoming physicians at the annual White Coat Ceremony in August.

The 114 students of the class of 2027 donned their first doctor’s white coat to the cheers and applause from family and friends. They recited the medical student oath and received an Arnold P. Gold Foundation pin, signifying the importance of compassion and empathy in patient care.

“This means a lot to me and my family,” said Ellee Pisey Vikram, a first-generation college student who earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry at UCLA and plans to become a dermatologist. “We’ve collectively worked for this. I would not be the person I am without them. It’s a big day, after a long journey.”

UC Irvine and UCI Health have broken ground on a new medical center at the north end of the Irvine campus. The $1.3 billion complex will include a 144-bed acute-care hospital with an emergency room, an outpatient Center for Advanced Care, a Center for Children’s Health and the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Ambulatory Care building.