View Larger Image Natasha Wilhelm, a pre-med summer scholar, poses with Gloria Richard-Davis, M.D., in her newly presented white coat.
Natasha Wilhelm, a pre-med summer scholar, poses with Gloria Richard-Davis, M.D., in her newly presented white coat. Image by Evan Lewis

UAMS Welcomes Students to Health Career University

By Linda Satter

| In a June 4 ceremony at the I. Dodd Wilson Education Building, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) welcomed a diverse group of students to its Health Career University (HCU), where they will spend the summer learning about various health-related professions.

The students are a mix of junior and senior high school students, as well as college undergraduates and graduates, who are exploring careers in health care, whether the careers are research-related, premed or in health-related professions such as physical therapy and anesthesia technology.

Gloria Richard-Davis, M.D., right front, stands with 22 white coat recipients.

Gloria Richard-Davis, M.D., right front, stands with 22 white coat recipients.Evan Lewis

“Your journey here will shape your future in health care,” Phyllis Fields, associate dean in the UAMS College of Health Professions, told the 26 men and women who gathered in an auditorium for a welcoming ceremony that included inspirational remarks from university leaders and representatives of the various programs.

“Welcome to Health Career University. Your future in health care starts now,” Fields said.

Gloria Richard-Davis, M.D., executive director of the UAMS Division for Academic Pathways and Workforce Partnerships, presented a segment on the “Meaning of the White Coat” and the essence of its symbolism. “When you wear this white coat, the community sees you as a health care professional embodying professionalism, service, commitment and excellence,” she said.

Then each student was called to the stage to don a short version of the white coat that is traditionally worn by physicians and some other health-care professionals. With assistance from representatives of the programs they’re entering, and in some cases friends or family members as well, the students then paused onstage in the white jackets for a photograph, to mark their introduction to a potential health-related career and its obligations to society.

“Today marks the beginning of an incredible journey,” Renisha Ward, M.Ed., the UAMS director of outreach programs, told the group.

Ward told the students — some in programs that last for just a few weeks during the summer and others whose summer participation is part of a year-long course — that they will learn how they can positively impact their community as a health care worker.

“We need you in Arkansas,” she said.

She advised them to keep daily journals to remember the impacts they make and to document the “ah-ha moments” of their learning experiences, that they can look back on during potential difficult times to come. She encouraged them to keep up with local and world news while in their programs, to stay actively engaged in the world.

“This program is just the beginning,” Ward said. “It’s a launching pad. I ask you, what will you do with this opportunity? How will you use it to further your career? Let’s show the world what you’re truly capable of.”

Charles Hunt, who is in the anesthesia tech program, was helped into his white coat by Evan Hicks, a fourth-year medical student, and Gloria Richard-Davis, M.D.

Charles Hunt, who is in the anesthesia tech program, was helped into his white coat by Evan Hicks, a fourth-year medical student, and Gloria Richard-Davis, M.D.Evan Lewis

The ceremony ended after each group of students stood, one after another, to recite in unison an oath tailored to each career path. The oaths acknowledged the essential obligations of caring for patients, the need for compassion and the duty to earn the trust placed in them by patients and society.

Antiño Allen, Ph.D., a professor in the College of Pharmacy who directs the Summer Research Institute and is the associate dean of pipeline and career development for the Graduate School, led recitation of the oath for eight students entering the Summer Research Institute.

Donna Miller, education coordinator, administered the oath for another eight students in the Pre-health Summer Scholars Program, while Breyanna Dulaney, M.D., and Evan Hicks, a fourth-year medical student, led the oath for seven students in the Premedical Summer Scholars Program, two in the physical therapy program and one in the anesthesia tech program.

Earlier, the group heard from Sean Taverna, Ph.D., dean of the Graduate School, and listened to recorded remarks from Chancellor Cam Patterson, M.D., and Provost Stephanie Gardner, Pharm.D., Ed.D., all underscoring the white coat as a symbol of the commitment to service to others, compassion, professionalism and excellence.