College of Pharmacy celebrates fifth annual White Coat Ceremony

UNE's College of Pharmacy celebrated its fifth annual White Coat Ceremony on Sunday, October 13, 2013, formally recognizing the entrance of first year students into the profession of pharmacy.  Families and friends of the Class of 2017 gathered at the Westbrook Performing Arts Center to commemorate the occasion.

Victor A Yanchik, Ph.D., Dean and Archie O. McCalley Chair of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy provided a heart-felt keynote address to the students, faculty and families.  His words celebrated the moment while reminding students of the responsibility now bestowed upon them.  Dr. Yanchik explained with pride the meaning of the white coat.

“So to prepare you to begin your professional journey to become a pharmacist we have established this White Coat Ceremony so that you will begin to think and act from this day forward as health care professionals.  The white coat that you will receive is a symbolic, non-verbal communication used to express and reaffirm a fundamental belief in a system that society respects.  It is a guide to the patient and the health care professional on how to behave.  It conveys to even the most anxious a sense of seriousness and purpose that helps provide reassurance and confidence that their needs will be dealt with competently, compassionately and seriously.  Embrace the profession of pharmacy." Dr. Yanchik advises, “Learn about its traditions and history – and its responsibilities with an expanding mind.  Continue to reflect on the professional maturation process you will be experiencing and know that you are going to grow into that coat along with those that came before you.”

Krystal Lacombe, PharmD, ’13 also spoke to the incoming students about the start of their journey at the College of Pharmacy, offering words of wisdom from experience.  “First, take advantage of every opportunity UNE provides to you.  Attend conferences, network, become leaders around the campus and greater Portland community, travel to new places, and share your knowledge with others.  Secondly, ask for help.  Everyone in this room, myself included, has the same goal for each and every one of you: your success.  As I’m sure you are well aware by now, pharmacy school is not easy.  You must work together.  Do not be afraid to ask for help or advice.  Whether it be from a member of your class or another class, your faculty or staff, someone will always be there for guidance.

“Lastly, remain open-minded.  Never close the door to any opportunity for the future... As a student, I never imagined myself where I am today, but that is the beauty of pharmacy, you never know where you will end up.”

Congratulations and welcome to the Class of 2017!

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.