For Meharry Medical College student Sashane John, 26, the White Coat Ceremony was already destined to be an unforgettable milestone. But moments after donning the coat that symbolizes the beginning of her journey as a physician-in-training, she found herself experiencing a second life-changing moment – a surprise marriage proposal from her longtime partner, LeRome Ball, 28.
John, an alumna of Meharry’s Master’s program and a proud native of Hempstead, New York, described the White Coat Ceremony as an incredibly moving moment in her personal and professional journey.
“The White Coat Ceremony was an incredibly empowering experience. As the first person in my family to attend college and now the first to become a doctor, putting on my white coat symbolized far more than a milestone in medical school, it carried the weight of countless sacrifices,” she reflected. “Wearing this coat is not only a personal achievement, but an answered prophecy and a living tribute to those who dreamed of this moment with me.”
But the celebration didn’t end there. Following the ceremony, Ball, originally from Largo, Maryland, surprised John with a heartfelt proposal in front of their families and friends outside on the steps of The Stanley S. Kresge Learning Resource Center.
Although the couple had already talked about marriage, having even designed the ring together, John admitted she didn’t expect the proposal to happen on such a significant day.
“I thought maybe he’d do it around the holidays or later in the weekend since both of our families were in town. When it happened right after the ceremony, I was completely shocked in the best way,” she said with a smile. “Honestly, it was perfect because I didn’t see it coming in that exact moment at all. Funny enough, I didn’t even see him that morning! I kept asking my family where he was and when he was arriving. I actually thought he was just out getting flowers to give me after I got my coat. Turns out, he had a way bigger surprise planned.”
The couple’s love story began in a freshman biology class at Hofstra University, where they became best friends before eventually starting to date after graduation. Eight years later their shared journey reached another milestone on the steps of Meharry.
For John, the proposal added a divine layer of meaning to an already monumental day.
“It felt as though every beautiful emotion washed over me at once: joy, love, shock, surprise, and pure happiness. It truly felt like God’s perfect timing, as if I was standing in the middle of so many answered prayers, more than I could have ever dreamed to receive in a single day.”
Balancing medical school and wedding planning is no small task, but John said she feels deeply supported by both families.
“Thankfully, our family has been amazing about stepping in to handle a lot of the planning since my time is so limited with medical school. We’ve already started having family meetings and group chats, and even a planning committee, which makes me feel so supported. Our wedding will be sometime next year, and I’m excited to dive in more during my breaks from school,” she shared.
As she begins her medical education at Meharry and prepares for her wedding, John sees the season ahead not as overwhelming, but as a joyful convergence of faith, love, and hard work.
“Balancing two of the biggest milestones of my life at once can feel overwhelming, but it fills me with so much joy to be building my career while also building a marriage with the person I love most,” she said.
For John and Ball, Meharry’s White Coat Ceremony will forever be remembered not just as the start of her medical career, but also as the beginning of their next chapter together.
Experience the magic of Shashane and LeRome’s proposal
Photos taken by Nashville Proposal Co.
Written by: Brandon Marshall, Communications Director for Meharry School of Medicine
