WATCH: 97-Year-Old Doctor Puts on White Coat as Great-Granddaughter Attends His Alma Mater — His Reaction Is Priceless
At 97 years old, retired physician Dr. Westel Creager proudly put on his vintage white coat once again to watch his great-granddaughter celebrate a major medical milestone at his alma mater, the University of Kentucky. Decades after graduating at age 41, the former carpenter turned doctor proved that a passion for healing and chasing your dreams has no expiration date.
A 97-year-old physician who began his medical career later in life captured hearts around the world in 2026 when he donned his white coat to attend his great-granddaughter’s ceremony at the University of Kentucky, celebrating a family milestone that reflected decades of perseverance and a shared calling to medicine.
Dr. Westel Creager, of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, attended the white coat ceremony of his great-granddaughter, Haiden Hauret, as she began her own medical training. After spending decades caring for patients, the retired physician watched a younger generation follow in his footsteps.
The emotional occasion was documented by Kristi Johnson, 51, Creager’s granddaughter and Hauret’s aunt. Speaking to Newsweek, Johnson recalled how much the celebration meant to her grandfather, saying he had "the best weekend" and that it was something he "wouldn’t have missed for anything."
A Dream Deferred
Creager’s journey into medicine did not follow a conventional path. He first worked as a carpenter before deciding to attend college in his 30s.
According to Newsweek, he eventually earned admission to the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, overcoming the challenge of being the oldest student in his class. Rather than allowing his age to deter him, he pursued his ambition and graduated in 1970 at age 41.
His determination was rooted in a desire to change his circumstances and build a meaningful life. Recalling her grandfather’s motivation, Johnson told Newsweek, "Grandpa was tired of being poor and wanted to become a well-respected doctor, so he did it."
The achievement opened the door to a career that extended well beyond the classroom. Creager worked in an emergency room into his 70s, continuing to serve patients long after many peers had retired.
Yet his work was not limited to the hospital. Johnson described a physician who made a point of helping people in underserved communities, particularly those with limited access to health care.
"He loved his career and always gave back to low economic areas that were underserved medically," she said.
In one notable chapter of his life, Creager earned his pilot's license and flew his private plane to Mexico with the Good Samaritans to treat patients. He also helped open an AIDS clinic in his later years.
His career, as described by his granddaughter, was marked by a determination to keep moving forward and use his skills in service of others.
A White Coat Reunited
When Hauret gained admission to medical school, her great-grandfather had already made a promise: He would be there if she reached that milestone.
"He told Haiden that if she got into medical school, he’d be there," Johnson told Newsweek.
In 2026, that promise became reality. Creager put on his vintage white coat and attended his great-granddaughter’s ceremony at the same institution where he graduated more than five decades earlier.
For the family, the moment carried unique significance. Although Creager has many great-grandchildren, Johnson noted that Hauret was the first to attend his alma mater.
"She’s one of Grandpa’s many great-grandchildren, but the first to go to his medical school," she said.
Photographs shared by Johnson showed the pair standing together in their white coats, their professional milestones separated by generations but connected by the same school.
The occasion also offered Creager something beyond the satisfaction of seeing his great-granddaughter succeed: the opportunity to be recognized for the person he remains at 97.
"He felt so respected and important for the first time in a while," Johnson said. "His mind is so sharp, yet people treat him like a child most of the time because of his age."
At the ceremony, however, the reception was different.
"No one treated him like that at the ceremony; he felt honored and respected," she said.
The distinction mattered. The celebration honored not only Hauret’s achievement but also the life and career of a physician who spent decades pursuing his ambitions.
Still Looking Ahead
For Creager, the ceremony was not an ending. He has already set his sights on attending Hauret’s hooding ceremony, which will mark her graduation.
His continued enthusiasm reflects the description his granddaughter offered to Newsweek: He remains "a go-getter" who is quick-witted and has "barely slowed down."
Even at 97, he continues to drive, maintain his hobbies and fix up his boat.
Johnson shared video of her grandfather putting on his white coat again for the special occasion. Posted on Instagram under @kristidjohnsonfam and on TikTok under @kristidjohnson, the clip warmed hearts across social media, according to Newsweek.
Alongside the clip, Johnson wrote that her grandfather’s "dreams are coming true" as he watches his great-granddaughter achieve the same milestone he once pursued.
For the family, the story carries a message that reaches beyond medicine. Creager began his professional journey after working as a carpenter, entered college in his 30s and graduated from medical school at 41. Decades later, he stood beside his great-granddaughter as she embarked on a similar path.
Johnson hopes their experience reminds others that "you are never too old to achieve your dreams and there really is no time limit for success."
She also shared the advice her grandfather believes has kept him young and mentally sharp: "You are never too old, so keep pushing yourself, keep taking the stairs, adding new hobbies and changing your path if needed."
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