Hobson Performance Center was filled with excited students and their families on Friday, July 16 as the ninth graduating class of PAs celebrated their long awaited achievement – receiving their long white coats.
PA Program Chair and Director Betty Lynne W. Johnson joyously welcomed attendees saying she was “overjoyed” for everyone to be together in-person for the auspicious event.
“The Long White Coat ceremony marks the transition from student to clinician,” Johnson said. “It’s a ceremony of commissioning and blessing as each of these graduates symbolically embraces the profession by being coated with a long white coat.”
The white coat address was given by Krista Udd (’15 MPAP), who serves as a PA in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. She has been serving on the front lines of the war on COVID-19 and shared emotional moments from the past year and a half. Udd challenged the 53 students to “find your own reason to put on your white coat everyday. Know that when you wear that white coat you will garner automatic respect and trust, but don’t ever stop earning it.”
Each student was called on stage along with a special person in their life to help them into their new coat. Associate Vice President for Spiritual Life and Campus Minister Faithe Beam and Director Johnson blessed the hands of the students. Next, Dr. Pete Fenn, associate professor and director of Professional & Programmatic Development for the PA program, led the cohort in taking the Physician Assistant Oath.
Also part of the ceremony: Class of 2021 Wallace Student Society President Kiley ’Connor spoke on the students’ time at Campbell, and class award winners were recognized. See a full list of recipients below.
Awards
Gore Center for Servant Leadership
Jerry M. Wallace Interprofessional Servant Leadership Fellowship
Students receiving this distinction have been selected by the dean of the college and have successfully completed a year-long seminar for the purpose of informing and inspiring the calling and commitment to Interprofessional Servant Leadership in Health Care.
Hannah Eason Zachary Flaccavento
Pi Alpha Honor Society
The Pi Alpha Honor Society was organized in 2004 by the Association of Physician Assistant Programs, now the Physician Assistant Education Association, for the promotion and recognition of significant academic achievement, leadership, research, community/professional service, and the encouragement of a high standard of character and conduct among physician assistant (PA) students and graduates. The motto of Pi Alpha is “Scholarship, Service, Leadership.” The organization is committed to promoting lifelong learning and participation in intellectual life.
Peter Badalamente
Brittany Bramwell
Hannah Eason
Zachary Flaccavento
Hope Irwin
Megan Jenkins
Alex Larson
Mary Renze
Outstanding Service Award
The Outstanding Service Award is an esteemed honor given to one or more students, chosen by faculty, based on outstanding dedication to the service of his or her classmates, the PA program, the university, and the community.
Treston Clark-LaRue Kayla Manring
Excellence in Professionalism Award
The Excellence in Professionalism award is presented to students who exemplify professionalism, demonstrate leadership, and represent the program with honor and integrity. Exceptional Professionalism has been modeled in all interactions with fellow students, faculty and healthcare professionals throughout the didactic and clinical phases of the program.
Makenna Stanley Ashley Webster
Outstanding Clinical Performance Award
The Outstanding Clinical Performance Award is presented to the physician assistant students who consistently demonstrate excellence and receive outstanding preceptor evaluations during the clinical year.
Laini Arnold Rachael Barton Trevor Beasley
Rodney Hipwell Spirit Award
In honor and memory of the 2018 recipient of the Honorary PA Award, Mr. Rodney Hipwell, former CPHS admissions counselor, cherished colleague and dear friend–the Campbell PA Program recognizes the PA student who best embodies Rod’s positive, purposeful, and passionate spirit. Rod was boldly Campbell-Proud, a constant encourager and always the champion of the underdog. He was our cheerleader, our expert communicator and our peace-maker. Rod believed in the mission of Campbell PA with all his heart! Despite his painful and difficult circumstances, Rod truly inspired all of us to be better people by giving himself to others and living his life to the absolute fullest.
Grace Glass
Jerry M. Wallace Legacy Award
The Jerry M. Wallace Legacy Award is presented to a physician assistant student who has shown an exceptional ability to serve as a compassionate health care provider. In the manner characteristic of Chancellor Jerry M. Wallace, the recipient exemplifies compassion, warmth, humility, honor, loyalty, and abides by the Campbell University creed of “Faith, Learning, and Service.”
Layla Kilmer
Director’s Award
The Director’s Award is presented to a student who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, perseverance, and resilience throughout the Campbell PA Program.
Kimberly Cowart
GRIT award
Grit is a personality trait possessed by individuals who demonstrate passion and perseverance toward a goal despite being confronted by significant obstacles and distractions.
G – Goal-Directed Mindset
R – Resilience/ Resolve
I – Indomitable spirit
T – Tenacity
This year’s GRIT award is being presented to the entire Class of 2021.
Excellence in Precepting Award
Recipients of this award are clinical preceptors who are nominated and chosen by the students. These clinicians have demonstrated both clinical and academic excellence in their role as preceptors. Each of the recipients has gone above and beyond what is required to ensure that our Campbell PA students have the best possible clinical education.
Will Ashby, PA-C
Raleigh Neurosurgical Clinic
Jennifer Best, PA-C
Mission Hospital Medicine
Josh Cobb, PA-C
MindPath Care Centers
Hayden Delabastide, PA-C
Novant Health Brunswick Inpatient Care
Amy Hird, PA-C
Imperial Center Family Medicine
Jason Licht, PA-C
WakeMed Heart & Vascular
Stephen Szabo, MD
Pinehurst Surgical Clinic Women’s Health
Richard Temblador, PA-C
Coats Medical Services