White Coat Ceremonies Mark Start of Professional Careers

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October 04, 2021 | Midwestern University

Students on both Midwestern University campuses participate in the White Coat Ceremonies.

More than 2,500 Midwestern University students received their clinical white coats and took an oath affirming their commitment to lifelong learning and practicing the highest standards of compassionate patient-centered care in White Coat Ceremonies held September 25th on the Glendale Campus, and October 2nd on the Downers Grove Campus.

This year, the University honored both first and second-year students from 12 graduate programs as the 2020 ceremonies were postponed due to the pandemic. Students from several health disciplines including osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, cardiovascular science, clinical psychology, dental medicine, speech-language pathology, optometry, podiatric medicine, and veterinary medicine received their white coats while thousands of families and friends viewed a live-streamed broadcast of the ceremonies from around the globe.

“Although our White Coat Ceremonies are being conducted differently this year, they once again remind us of the importance of our healthcare mission and the dedication and hard work our faculty and staff put forth in teaching, mentoring, and guiding these future healthcare professionals who will become the next generation to care for others,” said Kathleen H. Goeppinger, Ph.D., Midwestern University President and Chief Executive Officer. “The White Coat Ceremony emphasizes the need for our students to embrace the high level of professionalism that is expected of them in their future healthcare careers,” Dr. Goeppinger added.

Students who received their white coats also took an Oath of Commitment reminding them to maintain the trust expected of a healthcare provider, to value the knowledge and wisdom of their colleagues, and to commit to lifelong learning of their chosen professions. These students now join the many generations of alumni who also began their successful healthcare careers at Midwestern University.