Michigan Medicine statement on protest at Medical School white coat ceremony

Authors | Mary Masson | Jina Sawani

Kristin Collier, M.D., was chosen as the keynote speaker for the 2022 White Coat Ceremony(link is external) based on nominations and voting by members of the U-M Medical School Gold Humanism Honor Society(link is external), which is composed of medical students, house officers and faculty.  

The White Coat Ceremony is not a platform for discussion of controversial issues. Its focus will always be on welcoming students into the profession of medicine. Dr. Collier never planned to address a divisive topic as part of her remarks. However, the University of Michigan does not revoke an invitation to a speaker based on their personal beliefs. 

The University of Michigan and Michigan Medicine remain committed to providing high quality, safe reproductive care for patients, across all their reproductive health needs. This includes abortion care, which remains legal in Michigan, even following the recent U.S. Supreme Court opinion. While the state of Michigan has a 1931 abortion ban on the books, a recent Michigan Court of Claims order has temporarily blocked enforcement of that ban. Michigan Medicine will continue to offer abortion care for patients. 

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