Pharmacy Class of 2014 Receives White Coats

By Nate Hinkel

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 Helen Chang of Ft. Smith gets “coated” by Victoria Pruitt of Heber Springs and Jordan Brazeal of Pine Bluff.

First-year student Helen Chang of Fort Smith receives her white coat by upperclassmen Victoria Pruitt of Heber Springs and Jordan Brazeal of Pine Bluff.
Mary Reinhardt center, with her parents, Dr. Melanie Reinhardt ’81, assistant professor of Pharmacy Practice, Dr. Garry Reinhardt ’79, all of Little Rock.

First-year student Mary Reinhardt (center) with her parents, Dr. Melanie Reinhardt ’81, assistant professor of Pharmacy Practice, and Dr. Garry Reinhardt ’79, all of Little Rock.
UAMS College of Pharmacy Dean Stephanie F. Gardner, PharmD., Ed.D., congratulates first-year student Winnie Bennett.

UAMS College of Pharmacy Dean Stephanie F. Gardner, PharmD., Ed.D., congratulates first-year student Winnie Bennett.

Aug. 24, 2010 | The Class of 2014 at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Pharmacy took their first steps toward becoming pharmacists at an Aug. 13 white coat ceremony.

More than 500 family members, friends and faculty witnessed the 120 incoming students in the College of Pharmacy receive their white coats, which symbolize their commitment to their chosen field of study.

UAMS Chancellor Dan Rahn, M.D., said the ceremony also symbolizes the students’ commitment to excellence.

“Ever since the UAMS College of Pharmacy opened its doors back in 1951, we have educated the majority of Arkansas’ pharmacists,” Rahn said. “But our goal isn’t just to impart knowledge. We also work hard to instill in our students the highest professional and ethical standards. And that is what tonight’s White Coat Ceremony is all about.”

The College of Pharmacy’s white coat ceremony has been held since 2003 to recognize students’ transition into the life of a student-pharmacist.

Stephanie F. Gardner, Pharm.D., Ed.D., College of Pharmacy dean, explained the components of the Oath of a Student Pharmacist, taken by students later in the ceremony, and the high level of credentials the incoming class holds.

“The average grade point average of the incoming class was 3.65 and the average Pharmacy School Admittance Test score was 75, both of which are our highest ever,” Gardner said. “We have high hopes for those of you in this room and are very proud to have you on campus.”

Gardner said of the incoming class that 55 percent have earned bachelor’s degrees, six have master’s degrees and three have doctorate degrees.

The white coat tradition was started in 1993 at Columbia University School of Medicine. The pharmacy custom was begun in 1995 at the University of Kentucky, and today most schools of pharmacy conduct a white coat ceremony.

Rahn said contributing to the care and healing of others is a privilege and an awesome responsibility.

“The white coat placed on each future pharmacist is more than a familiar lab coat – it is a cloak of competence, communication, caring, character and community,” he said. “The white coat is a symbol of this responsibility, of your professional commitment to helping the community. I’m confident that you will succeed and that the UAMS College of Pharmacy will prepare you well.”