The division of Allied Health at Baptist Health Sciences University held its 12th annual White Coat Ceremony for students entering the clinical phase of their programs on Monday, Sept. 30. A White Coat Ceremony symbolically marks a student’s transition from pre-clinical preparation to professional-level coursework and student clinical practice, and it focuses on the professional standards expected of those in patient care careers.
The Allied Health professions represented at the ceremony included eight students from Diagnostic Medical Sonography, four from Medical Laboratory Science, 17 from Medical Radiography, six from Nuclear Medicine Technology, five from Neurodiagnostic Technology, five from Radiation Therapy, five from Respiratory Care and 10 from Surgical Technology.
Vice President and Provost of Academic Affairs at BHSU Anuja Ghorpade, Ph.D., delivered the keynote address, underscoring the profound significance of the white coat. “The white coat represents a promise,” she said. “A promise to your future patients that you will listen, show respect and provide care to the best of your abilities. It’s about meeting them where they are, honoring their choices and always upholding the trust they place in you.”
Sixty students were cloaked in white coats by their respective faculty members, representing the eight Allied Health programs at BHSU. The Allied Health White Coat Ceremony not only welcomed students into the next phase of their education but also reminded them of the profound responsibility they bear as future health care professionals. As these students embark on their clinical journeys, the white coat will serve as a symbol of their dedication to providing compassionate, patient-centered care.
