{"id":4444,"date":"2019-04-12T15:26:56","date_gmt":"2019-04-12T19:26:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/qa.vet.purdue.edu\/news\/?p=4444"},"modified":"2025-04-09T11:50:27","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T15:50:27","slug":"white-coat-ceremony-honors-veterinary-students-entering-their-clinical-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vet.purdue.edu\/news\/white-coat-ceremony-honors-veterinary-students-entering-their-clinical-year.php","title":{"rendered":"White Coat Ceremony Honors Veterinary Students Entering Their Clinical Year"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Dean
Dean Willie Reed congratulations members of the DVM Class of 2020 during the White Coat Ceremony Sunday, April 7.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Purdue Veterinary Medicine\u2019s DVM Class of 2020 participated in a beloved College of Veterinary Medicine tradition Sunday, April 7, when the class members received white coats symbolizing their new role as junior veterinarians.  Now in its 18th<\/sup> year, the annual White Coat Ceremony, held in Stewart Center\u2019s Fowler Hall, honored the third-year veterinary students as they prepare for their final year of the DVM program.  Elanco Animal Health and numerous alumni donors sponsored the afternoon ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Walter-John
Faculty, staff, friends, and family celebrated during a reception following the ceremony, where veterinary student Walter-John McGowan paused for a photo with Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion Latonia Craig.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

PVM Dean Willie Reed began the ceremony by thanking the many families, friends, and loved ones who attended the special occasion.  \u201cIt is now time to celebrate the rite of passage for our third-year veterinary students,\u201d Dean Reed said, explaining that the ceremony marks the students\u2019 passage from the classroom into the clinic.  \u201cThe white coat indicates your acceptance of your great responsibility toward your patients and clients, your commitment to show compassion and empathy, and to make a positive difference in the life of every animal and person with whom you come into contact.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dean then turned the program over to Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Kathy Salisbury, who called the members of the Class of 2020 to the stage individually to receive their white coats.  Representatives of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association also were present to congratulate the students and provide each class member with an engraved name badge. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Dr.
Dr. Micha Simons, clinical assistant professor of small animal surgery, shared insights as a clinician with the DVM Class of 2020 during the White Coat Ceremony.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Also during the ceremony, Ellen Weigel, of the DVM Class of\n2019, shared words of wisdom as a fourth-year student nearing graduation.  \u201cWith a team focus, self-awareness and a\npositive attitude, you all will thrive in the next year,\u201d Emily assured the\nstudents.  \u201cI wish you all the best as\nyou start this exciting journey.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, Dr. Micha Simons, clinical assistant professor of small animal surgery, addressed the third-year students, offering a clinician\u2019s insights about their journey ahead.  Dr. Simons was selected to speak at the ceremony by a vote of the third-year class members.  Dr. Simons taught the class’ small animal surgery courses and will teach them during the coming year in the small animal general surgery rotation.  \u201cI\u2019m extremely proud of your accomplishments and you should be, too,\u201d Dr. Simons said.  \u201cKnow that you have the support and confidence of everyone here today, and the entire Purdue faculty and staff behind you every step of the way.\u201d  She encouraged them not to be afraid to ask questions during the coming year, adding, \u201cI promise\u2026we are there to help you succeed.\u201d  She concluded, \u201cIt will be a challenging time and at times you won\u2019t know whether you\u2019re coming or going, and you will question everything all at once.  But know that you are more than capable of rising to and exceeding all expectations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the ceremony the students gathered for a class picture\nsporting their new white coats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"William
Third-year veterinary student William Willis pauses for a photo with Dean Reed after receiving his white coat.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Levi
Several awards were given during the White Coat Ceremony, including the Dr. William W. Carlton Award for Aptitude in Veterinary Pathology, which was presented by Dean Willie Reed to third-year veterinary student Levi Smith.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The ceremony also included the presentation of awards\nrecognizing individual members of the class for special accomplishments.  The following award-winners were honored:<\/p>\n\n\n\n