Campbell University’s College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences held its third annual Long White Coat Ceremony for graduating physician assistant students on Friday, December 11, 2015.
The Long White Coat Ceremony is a unique celebration signifying the transition from student to practicing clinician in the physician assistant field. Students in the health sciences fields, like physician assistant practice, pharmacy, and medicine, wear shorter white coats during their academic training to signal their status as a student.
“This event signifies the end of the arduous road to becoming a provider, to becoming PAs,” said Tom Colletti, DHSc, program director. “These PAs endured twelve months of demanding didactic education and fifteen months of challenging clinical rotations in all of the disciplines in medicine and surgery. These students have put forth great effort into their medical education.”
This event is a special ceremony hosted by CPHS, where graduates are asked to invite a meaningful person in their academic career to coat them during the ceremony. This year, graduates were escorted on stage by parents, spouses, children, and academic advisers in celebration of their accomplishments.
“As you wear your white coat, always remember the duty that it bestows upon you. The tradition of the white coat ceremony is filled with the important ideals of the medical profession: integrity, responsibility, professionalism, compassion, and service to others. Carry on that tradition and bring health to those in need,” shared Colletti.
In addition to being addressed by Campbell University administration, the Class of 2015 received advice from Campbell alumnus, Brad E. Butler, MD. Butler is the medical director for physician practices for Harnett Health Systems.
To watch the ceremony, please visit our website.
Photo: Alexa Carda, MPAP ’15, is coated during the PA Long White Coat Ceremony