White Coat Ceremony Marks Start of Professional Careers for Midwestern Students

In an annual rite of passage, more than 800 first-year students from Midwestern University received their clinical white coats and took an oath affirming their commitment to the highest standards of compassion and patient care.

The White Coat Ceremony was held on Friday, September 12, 2014 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. Students from the University’s osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, clinical psychology, dental medicine, and speech-language pathology programs received their white coats before an audience of family and friends.

“The white coat is an important symbol of professionalism,” said Kathleen H. Goeppinger, Ph.D., Midwestern University President and Chief Executive Officer, in her address to the students. “The white coat comes with respect from others, but know that you have to earn that respect and maintain it every day. Today’s ceremony also emphasizes the important relationship between all our health professions. Midwestern University embraces the One Health concept which focuses on the collaboration of all members of the healthcare team in order to provide the best possible care for your patients.”

The students who received their white coats join thousands of alumni who also began their successful healthcare careers with the White Coat Ceremony at Midwestern University.