An explosion of emotions filled the Will Rogers Memorial Auditorium as first-year students from the University of North Texas Health Science Center received their white coats.
Every HSC student in the auditorium knew what this moment meant — the next milestone in medical school.
“Receiving my white coat, to me, symbolizes the beginning of my journey along my path to become a physician,” 21-year-old Kaylee Bragg said.
For Allison Solby, the emotions are a family affair. Her accomplishment transcended the 24-year-old and into her family.
Solby was only 6 weeks old when her father, Dr. Steven Solby, received his white coat from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at HSC in 1999.
Although she can’t recall her father’s ceremony, Solby has been exposed to medicine her whole life. Dr. Steven Solby is a practicing anesthesiologist in Mansfield.
After graduating from Texas Christian University in 2021, she had no question about what path she wanted to take — HSC was the right choice.
“There was nothing that I ever thought of in my life that I would do differently,” she said. “I naturally was drawn to medicine. I don’t know what field of medicine I want to go into, but I am interested in obstetrics, pediatrics, dermatology and anesthesia.”
The Aug. 25 ceremony celebrated over 400 students from HSC’s Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Pharmacy and School of Health Professions.
“It also comes with a great responsibility for each of these students,” Steven Bartolotta, director of communications at Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, said. “They are the next generation of health care providers and this small rite of passage gives them the privilege of knowing they will soon be taking care of our communities.”
Family members waited outside the Will Rogers Memorial Auditorium as HSC students walked out with their white coats. (David Moreno | Fort Worth Report) 
One student was greeted by family and friends with two bouquets of flowers. (David Moreno | Fort Worth Report) 
A group of HSC students walked out of the auditorium and congratulated each other on the building’s steps. (David Moreno | Fort Worth Report) 
A close look at a pin recognizing the Zachary College at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. (David Moreno | Fort Worth Report) 
A HSC student poses with a family member outside the Will Rogers Auditorium. (David Moreno | Fort Worth Report) 
A closer look at the program handed to guests before the HSC ceremony commenced. (David Moreno | Fort Worth Report)
Still, Dr. Steven Solby never pressured his daughter into following in his footsteps. She has to carve her own path and accomplish her own goals, he said.
“It’s her journey, it’s not easy to get through,” Dr. Steven Solby said. “She has to want to do it. It’s just great to see her hard work paying off.”
David Moreno is the health reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at david.moreno@fortworthreport.org or via Twitter.
At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
Noncommercial entities may republish our articles for free by following our guidelines. For commercial licensing, please email hello@fortworthreport.org.
