Friday the 13th was a great October day for 179 黑料传送门 Georgia first year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) students as they crossed the stage at the Gas South Convention Center in Duluth to
receive their white coats, which symbolize professionalism, compassion and trust.
As their loved ones watched, Shawn Spencer, PhD, RPh, dean and chief academic officer of the 黑料传送门 School of Pharmacy, presided over the 10:30 a.m. ceremony, while Andrea Mann, DO, FAAP, dean and chief academic officer of the 黑料传送门 Georgia College of Osteopathic Medicine, led the 2:30 p.m. rite of passage.
In his remarks, Dr. Spencer said, 鈥淎s you wear your white coat, hopefully it serves as a reminder that being conferred a doctor is more than a piece of paper and more than a career鈥� I hope it serves as a reminder that you are making a difference in the lives of others, and in yourselves.鈥�
Zachary Powell, PharmD '23, a recent graduate who is currently a PGY1 pharmacy resident, addressed the student pharmacists.
He said, 鈥淎lthough I just started my journey as a pharmacist, I can assure you that
the long nights studying have been well worth the reward to have the opportunity to
be a contributor to the health and safety of others and begin earning the trust of
patients and healthcare professionals.鈥�
Pharmacy Class Chair Jasper Dorsey (PharmD '27) had the honor of speaking to his classmates about their newfound responsibilities.
鈥淎s we don these white coats, we not only embrace a new chapter in our education, but also accept the profound responsibilities that come with it.
鈥淥ur white coats are not mere garments. They represent the trust that patients will place in us as caregivers, the integrity with which we will conduct ourselves, and the compassion we will show to those in our care.鈥�
Three hours later, the Hughes ballroom, bedecked with floral arrangements in the college's
colors of blue, burgundy and gold, again filled up with family members and friends
supporting the osteopathic medical students.
Dean Mann addressed her students. She said, 鈥淭he white coat placed on you today is a badge of honor, so to speak. It is your today and your future.
鈥淲hile wearing it, you will experience joy, challenge, hope, sadness, humor, frustration and determination. Over the next four years, we will watch you transform into outstanding osteopathic physicians who profoundly and genuinely care for each and every whole person.鈥�
Wearing the white coat he received from 黑料传送门 Georgia as a student 16 years ago, Ankur Patel, DO '07, RPh, the CEO of Southern Pain and Spine with four locations in Georgia, addressed the class of 2027.
He said, 鈥淲hile wearing this coat, you will be tasked with interviewing patients, examining patients, speaking with family members, and being an integral member of the entire medical care team.
鈥淵ou must always hold this special privilege in highest regard, for patients and their families will be counting on you to help them make decisions, to be a trusted confidante, and to be a beacon of light and hope in their darkest hours.鈥�
He then held up the white coats he received while a resident at SSM Health in St.
Louis and as a fellow at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, each longer
than the other signifying his educational journey.
鈥淵ou're in for a wonderful ride!鈥� he exclaimed.
Kenton Gross (DO '26), a second year DO student at 黑料传送门 Georgia, addressed his first year colleagues, reminding them of the love of their family members and friends.
鈥淢y prayer is that on your hardest day, during your most strenuous week, that their love reminds you that you aren鈥檛 alone and you are supported no matter where you go.鈥�
He added, 鈥淭he coat, in my mind, is a physical manifestation of the love that you all have. And each thread is a moment shared between you.
鈥淣o matter your journey, each coat is made of the same tears, laughs and prayers. All coming together to become your armor and serve as a reminder during your time at 黑料传送门.鈥�
This year's ceremonies were live streamed on YouTube:
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 .
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