Midwestern University Students Begin Professional Journey at White Coat Ceremonies

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 on the Downers Grove Campus on October 5.

Students from the university’s osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, clinical psychology, dental medicine, speech-language pathology and optometry programs received their white coats before an audience of family and friends.

“We come together as an entire university for this white coat celebration. It’s the first day that we put a white coat on you and set the expectation that you are starting the journey of becoming a health care professional,” said Kathleen H. Goeppinger, Ph.D., Midwestern University president and chief executive officer, in her address to the students. “When we give you a white coat, it represents a commitment to learning the skills you need to care for other people.”

Students who received their white coats also took an oath of commitment reminding them to maintain the trust expected of a health care provider, to value the knowledge and wisdom of their colleagues and to commit to lifelong learning. As they continue their rigorous academic programs, these students now join the many generations of alumni who also began their journey toward a successful healthcare career at Midwestern University.