Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology Students Don White Coats
| A white coat ceremony on Aug. 29 honored the 2027 class of the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and the 2029 class of the Doctor of Audiology program.
Both programs are part of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Health Professions’ Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. The symbolic ceremony marks the students’ official induction into the health care profession.
In his opening remarks, Samuel Atcherson, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology and director of the Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders program, welcomed the students and explained the significance of the white coat.
“Every time you hear someone mention white coat, think of them as cloaks of compassion, because this is what they really should mean as these students begin making a difference in the lives of the people they will serve,” he said.
Dana Moser, Ph.D., director of the Speech-Language Pathology program and associate professor in the department, reminded students that they were entering a profession with a long history of helping individuals improve their communication abilities and participate more fully in their own lives. She explained that by accepting the white coat, students are committing to becoming health care professionals with integrity whom clients can trust.
Caitlin Price, left, Madison Howe, right, help a student put on her white coat for the first time.Image by Evan Lewis
“I’m excited to be a part of your professional journey,” she said. “The path ahead of you will be challenging, but it will be worth it.”
Speech-language pathologists have a scope of practice that encompasses the full range of human communication from speech and language to social and cognitive communication as well as feeding and swallowing disorders. Speech-language pathologists provide diagnosis, prevention, assessment and intervention services across a person’s lifespan.
Charia Hall, Au.D., director of the Doctor of Audiology program and assistant professor in the department, spoke about the history of audiology as a clinical discipline. She noted that beyond its technical aspects, audiology is about helping people connect with the world around them.
“We have the privilege of restoring not just hearing but also participation, joy and quality of life,” she said.
Audiologists have a wide scope of practice that can include pediatric and educational audiology, industrial audiology, electrophysiology and clinical audiologists. She said the profession plays a vital role in diagnosing hearing and balance disorders, fitting hearing aids and other technologies, participating in cochlear implantation teams, monitoring inner ear surgeries as well as designing hearing conservation programs.
Susan Long, Ed.D., dean of the College of Health Professions, congratulated the students on their induction into each of their fields. She said the ceremony is about the students and who they will be in the eyes of their patients, their families and their clients.
“Being a health care provider is an absolute privilege, and it comes with very tremendous responsibilities,” she said.
Sarah Allen, left, and Shanna Williamson, right, assist a speech-language pathology student into her white coat.
Both Moser and Hall noted the high demand for audiologists and speech-language pathologists. Moser cited U.S. News & World Report rankings and Bureau of Labor Statistics projections for speech-language pathologists. Hall shared similar statistics, stating that the need for skilled audiologists has never been greater.
After the speeches, the faculty and staff presented each student with a white coat. Madison Howe, Au.D., director of Clinical Education in the Audiology program, and Caitlin Price, Au.D., Ph.D., assistant professor in the Audiology program, helped the audiology students with the ceremonial “donning of the coats” as the students crossed the stage. Shanna Williamson, M.S., director of Clinical Education in the Speech-Pathology program and assistant professor, and Sarah Allen, MCD, an assistant professor in the Speech-Pathology program, did the same for the speech-language pathology students. The students then recited The Clinician’s Oath, a pledge to conduct themselves to the best of their abilities while treating patients.
Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.), Class of 2029
- Rheagan Brown
- Ali Delahoussaye
- Nikolai Gordeev
- Madison Jones
- Savannah Motzko
- Reese Rankin
Master of Science (M.S.) in Speech-Language Pathology program, Class of 2027
- Avari Allen
- Emily Bennett
- Olivia Bird
- Emma Ciocan
- Marci Clayton
- Gracie Hardin
- Michaela Hayes
- Cheyenne Hood
- Madelyn Hoskins
- Raivin Jackson
- Deanna Jones
- Leah Kutchka
- Madison Lutman
- Delaney Lyon
- Ashlyn McLain
- Lane Maddox
- Quinn Mitchell
- Shakira Prendergast
- Blanca Ramirez Zermeno
- Natalie Shaw
- Chelsey Stewart
- Ashia Walls