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 highest standards of compassion and patient care.

The White Coat Ceremony was held on Friday, September 27, 2013 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. The inaugural class of the Speech-Language Pathologists joined students from all health disciplines at the University – osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, clinical psychology, and dental medicine in receiving their white coats before an audience of family and friends.

“The white coat is an important symbol,” 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.”

The White Coat Ceremony signifies the students' commitment to patient care and professionalism and marks the beginning their healthcare career. 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.