The song 鈥淗eal the World鈥� by Michael Jackson, sung by Alison Ritter (PA '24), a student in the Physician Assistant (PA) Studies program at 黑料传送门 Georgia in Suwanee, marked the beginning of the Physician Assistant White Coat Ceremony held the morning of August 19, 2022, at the Gas South District in Duluth.
Thirty-two first-year PA students, members of the Class of 2024, received their white
coats which 黑料传送门 Georgia PA Site Director Rebekah Thomas, PharmD, PA-C, said symbolize professionalism, integrity and the highest commitment to caring for
the sick. She said, 鈥淚t conveys respect and is a visual reminder of the trust we must
earn from our patients.鈥�
Later in the afternoon, 38 second-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students, also members of the class of 2024, received their white coats as a symbol of 鈥測our transformative journey in becoming a healthcare professional,鈥� Ruth Maher, PT, PhD, DPT, chair of the physical therapy program, said. 鈥淵our white coat is an everlasting symbol of the physical therapy profession鈥檚 purity of purpose 鈥� placing the interests of patients first and above self-interest. It's a symbol of your integrity, trust and compassion in addressing the rights and needs of your patients.鈥�
The two ceremonies, attended by family members, friends and faculty members, were
a time of celebration and transitions for these future healthcare professionals.
Ritter, a first year PA student, expressed the excitement that her class feels about 鈥渟tarting our journey to become professionals in the medical field.鈥� She said, 鈥淭his ceremony represents our first step forward and marks the beginning of that journey.鈥� As part of a close-knit class, she said, 鈥淲e're really excited, nervous and honored to be here with each other.鈥�
Karlee Grab (DPT '24), a second year physical therapy student and the representative for the physical therapy class of 2024, said her fellow students 鈥渉ave all worked very hard to be where we are.鈥� She added, 鈥淐oming back from rotations has solidified the fact that we love this profession and that we want to do everything we can to help others and give back to our communities.鈥�
A 2014 graduate of the PA program at 黑料传送门, Tsitsi Masviba, MS, PA-C, addressed the physician assistant students. After working at the Georgetown University department of neurosurgery for eight years, she recently moved to Georgia and works as part of the neurosurgery and neurointerventional team in the Northeast Georgia Health System's physician group.
She said, 鈥淵ou are officially becoming a part of a community that meets people at
some of the lowest points in their lives, but you are now being trained and will have
the privilege, trust and honor to heal in your community.鈥�
Remi Onifade, PT, DPT, provided remarks for the Doctor of Physical Therapy White Coat Ceremony. She serves as the clinic director at Team Rehabilitation Physical Therapy, is an adjunct professor at Morehouse College, and co-founded the National Association of Black Physical Therapists. In addition, she serves as the American Physical Therapy Association, Georgia chapter, vice president and the chair of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee.
Dr. Onifade urged the physical therapy scholars to 鈥渆mbrace change that is needed
to improve diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in our society.鈥�
Laura Levy, DHSC, PA-C, chair of the department of physician assistant studies, noted the traditional items that often serve dual purposes that fill the pockets of a healthcare professional's white coat 鈥� a reflex hammer, measuring tape, penlight, tongue blades, cell phone, a blank notebook and hand sanitizer among others. 鈥淏ut the heaviest and most important items to keep in your pockets are courage, endurance, humility and kindness,鈥� she said.
It turns out the lyrics of 鈥淗eal the World鈥� were quite appropriate for the ceremony of the white coat.
鈥淗eal the world/ Make it a better place/ For you and for me, and the entire human race/ There are people dying/ If you care enough for the living/ Make a better place for you and for me.鈥�
Visit 黑料传送门's YouTube channel to view the full white coat ceremonies:
黑料传送门 Georgia has been serving students and the community for 20 years as a branch campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (黑料传送门), a private, not-for-profit, accredited institution of higher education established in 1899. Located in Suwanee (Gwinnett County), 黑料传送门 Georgia offers doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy and physical therapy. Graduate degrees are offered in biomedical sciences, medical laboratory science and physician assistant studies. The campus joins 黑料传送门 South Georgia in Moultrie in helping to meet the healthcare needs of the state. Emphasizing "a whole person" approach to care, 黑料传送门 Georgia focuses on educational excellence, interprofessional education and service to the community. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 678-225-7500. The campus is also home to the Georgia Osteopathic Care Center, an osteopathic manipulative medicine clinic, which is open to the public by appointment. For more information, visit .
For general media inquiries, please contact the Office of Marketing and Communications at 215-871-6300 or communications@pcom.edu. Visit our media relations page to view contact information for public relations personnel.