David Johnson, son of Robert and Peggy Johnson of Greenville, was recognized with his class during the University of Alabama School of Medicine’s white coat ceremony. The ceremony was held Sunday Aug. 24 at the Alys Stephens Center in Birmingham.

Each of the 181 members of the Class of 2012 was presented with the traditional white coat in the presence of family, friends, faculty and staff. The ceremony and oath of commitment to patient care reminds incoming students of the dedication necessary to complete a medical education as well as underscore the responsibilities inherent in the practice of medicine. The white coat, one of the most recognizable symbols of a physician, is now necessary for first-year students, who, under close faculty supervision, will begin interacting with patients as part of their course work a few weeks after orientation.

Johnson graduated from Fort Dale Academy in 2003 and graduated with honors from Auburn University in 2007 earning a B.S. degree in Biomedical Sciences. Selected as the Graduation Marshall, he represented the College of Sciences and Mathematics at graduation. He was involved with a social fraternity, multiple student groups, and worked part time at the Auburn University Career Development Services Office. Johnson is in the Rural Medicine Program (RMP), jointly sponsored by the University of Alabama School of Medicine at UAB and Auburn University.

Johnson is married to the former Elizabeth Chastain of Greenville, a practicing speech-language pathologist. They currently reside in Birmingham with their yellow lab, Cooper.