Donning a white coat, UNMC students start journeys in patient care

The UNMC College of Medicine held its White Coat Ceremony on Aug. 23 at the Orpheum Theater.

Across UNMC, new students – in nursing, dentistry, medicine, graduate studies, allied health professions and pharmacy – marked the beginning of the school year with white coat or professionalism ceremonies.

The UNMC College of Nursing held its Omaha white coat ceremony at UNMC’s Truhlsen Campus Events Center on Aug. 30. (Events for nursing’s other campuses will take place later in the year.)

The white coat is symbolic of transitioning into a nursing program and students beginning their commitment to patient care, said Nursing Dean Lepaine Sharp-McHenry, DNP, who addressed nursing students at the Omaha white coat ceremony.

“Everyday leadership is what we want to cultivate in each of you,” Dr. Sharp-McHenry told students. “Your leadership is critical to our communities and in a world longing for your expertise and talent. Leading today requires the ability to transform people, situations and yourself.

“I challenge each of you to lead with wisdom, integrity and transparency.” 

The UNMC College of Allied Health Professions welcomed 315 new students at its 2024 Professionalism Ceremony – the largest group of entering students in the history of the college.

“The ceremony is a rite of passage for students in the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions to begin their professional program or clinical encounters with patients,” said Kyle Meyer, PhD, dean of the college. “It focuses on professionalism, encompassing the concepts of ethical behavior, compassionate care and service to others.”

The UNMC College of Medicine welcomed 137 new students at its white coat ceremony, which was held at the Orpheum Theater.

“The white coat obviously has a long history behind it, and I think that transition resonates with students and family members, as well as with the faculty and the members of the profession of medicine who’ve been in it a long time,” said Bradley Britigan, MD, who marked his 14th White Coat Ceremony as dean of the college.

At its event in Lincoln, the UNMC College of Dentistry welcomed 24 dental hygiene students and 52 dental students.

“The White Coat Ceremony marks the beginning of our students’ journeys toward becoming compassionate oral health care providers who will improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities,” said Gerry Kugel, DMD, PhD, dean of the UNMC College of Dentistry. “We are proud of their accomplishments and look forward to supporting them throughout their academic and professional careers.”

The UNMC College of Pharmacy welcomed 63 first-year PharmD students into the profession with the presentation of white coats and the taking of its professionalism pledge. Theo Blum, president of the class of 2025, addressed the incoming students, as did alum Jolyn Merry, PharmD, pharmacy operations manager at Bryan Medical Center.

Keith Olsen, PharmD, Joseph D. Williams Endowed Dean, told the incoming pharmacy students: “Your white coat stands out because it is important to your patients. It is a sign of professionalism, a sign of caring, a sign of compassion for your patients. By donning the white coat, your patients expect the utmost professionalism from each of us. They expect our best every day.”

UNMC Graduate Studies welcomed more than 230 incoming graduate students at its annual matriculation ceremony. Ann Anderson Berry, MD, PhD, professor and chief of neonatology and director of the Child Health Research Institute, served as featured speaker.

Kendra Schmid, PhD, interim dean of graduate students and interim associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, welcomed the new students: “The people in this room will become your classmates, your colleagues, your future friends and, who knows, maybe a spouse,” she said.

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