Tomorrow’s Healthcare Team Honored with White Coat Ceremonies
Downers Grove and Glendale Campuses celebrate coating first-year students in annual White Coat Ceremonies.
AZ students receive their White Coats from faculty members.
Over 1,700 Ƶ first-year students in total received their clinical white coats at the symbolic White Coat Ceremonies on each campus this Fall.
The coat symbolizes a cloak of caring, compassion, and service, reminding each person wearing it that it is a privilege and responsibility to contribute to the care and healing of others. During the ceremonies, students walked across the stage to be coated by a faculty member within their respective college, signifying that one day, they will be considered fellow healthcare providers and colleagues. They also pledged their commitment to upholding the standards of tomorrow's healthcare team as they prepare for their future as healthcare professionals.
Kathleen H. Goeppinger, Ph.D., Ƶ President and Chief Executive Officer, led the students in reciting the Oath of Commitment, noting: “this whole day is filled with symbolism. It’s filled with all sorts of exciting things, and at the end, it’s filled with an oath. One of the most important things I can tell you is the oath is that of a student. It’s an oath to take your studies seriously, respect the patients you’re going to care for, respect your colleagues, your faculty, and each other, and really take this as the first day of the rest of your life and your professional life.”
We want you to know that it is the support of the faculty that is behind you to help you be successful. Someday you’re going to be their colleagues, and until then, they’re helping you get there.”
More than 20 programs across both Ƶ campuses in Glendale and Downers Grove participate in the White Coat Ceremony, including the colleges of:
- Osteopathic Medicine
- Pharmacy
- Health Sciences
- Dental Medicine
- Optometry
- Veterinary Medicine
- Podiatric Medicine
