Inova Sports Medicine Chairman and Musculoskeletal President Dr. Robin West Served as Keynote Speaker for the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine’s 2026 Class

Robin West, MD, recently served as the keynote speaker at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine’s annual white coat ceremony. The event was held at the Carnegie Music Hall in Pittsburgh.

Dr. West addressed many important topics for the incoming class, including mental health in the field. “Don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself or others, and don’t tolerate this type of behavior,” she said. “We need to prioritize social connections to mitigate the feeling of loneliness. Reach out to your colleagues and coworkers to see how they are doing.”

Dr. West’s ties to the University of Pittsburgh go back to her time with the university’s orthopedic surgery department, where she was an associate professor and the team physician for the athletic department. The closing remarks were a guide to the power and privilege in the future of their work “In closing, the white coat is a symbol of a profession that is about the sanctity of the physician-patient relationship. Patients will be placing their wellbeing into your hands, and you must not violate their trust. Be proud and be humble,” Dr. West said.

Dr. West serves as President of Inova’s musculoskeletal service line. She also serves as Chairman of Inova Sports Medicine and is the Lead Team Physician for the Washington Nationals.