OVC Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2024 Prepares to Enter Clinical Year

Pictured above: The Ontario Veterinary College's (OVC) Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Class of 2024 gather for a photo on the University of Guelph campus after receiving their white coats. 

The Topaz Turtles celebrated their White Coat Ceremony on April 2

On April 2, 2023, family and friends gathered to welcome the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Class of 2024, the Topaz Turtles, to their clinical year during a White Coat Ceremony.

The ceremony marks the student veterinarians’ entrance to their fourth and final year of study, where they will hone their clinical, diagnostic, communication and problem-solving skills. Also called Phase 4, the final year of the DVM program begins with an eight-week externship in a mixed animal practice, followed by clinical rotations throughout the year.

Along with OVC faculty and staff, representatives from the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, the College of Veterinarians of Ontario, and the OVC Alumni Association were on hand to congratulate the students.

Among the speakers at the event were: Dr. Joanne Hewson, OVC’s Associate Dean, Students and Academic; Dr. Alana Parisi, President, College of Veterinarians of Ontario; Dr. Matthew Richardson, President, Ontario Veterinary Medical Association; Dr. Paul Woods, President, OVC Alumni Association; and Dr. Luis Gaitero, OVC’s Associate Dean, Clinical Program.

The event was livestreamed for those friends and family members who were not able to attend the ceremony in person. A recording of the event is available on OVC’s YouTube channel.

Please us in celebrating the OVC 2024 Topaz Turtles and congratulating them as they begin their clinical year!