View Larger Image The Department of Physician Assistant Studies held its first virtual white coat ceremony Sept. 17. Students in the Class of 2022 were assisted by friends, family and significant others as they donned their white coats for the first time.
The Department of Physician Assistant Studies held its first virtual white coat ceremony Sept. 17. Students in the Class of 2022 were assisted by friends, family and significant others as they donned their white coats for the first time.

Physician Assistant Students Receive White Coats in Virtual Ceremony

By Yavonda Chase

| The Department of Physician Assistant Studies in the College of Health Professions celebrated the Class of 2022 with a virtual white coat ceremony Sept. 17.

Edward Williams, M.P.A.S., M.Ed., PA-C, program director and chair, welcomed students, their family and friends, as well as faculty and staff to the department’s first virtual white coat ceremony. Edwards and a few speakers physically distanced in a classroom in the I. Dodd Wilson Education Building while everyone else tuned in via Zoom.

Susan Long, Ed.D., dean of the College of Health Professions, urged the students to regard their white coats "as a visible reminder of your role as a well-educated, compassionate provider."

Susan Long, Ed.D., dean of the College of Health Professions, urged the students to regard their white coats “as a visible reminder of your role as a well-educated, compassionate provider.”

In previous years, the white coat ceremony has been held in May shortly after the students started the program. However, the COVID-19 pandemic made it necessary to postpone this year’s event, Williams said.

He thanked the students for their flexibility and willingness to adapt. He also praised them for their accomplishments in the program so far.

Chancellor Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA, recorded a video for the students. In it, he encouraged them to remember the importance of their white coat.

“It is an enduring symbol in health care that to our patients represents science, professionalism and cleanliness,” he said. “For those of us who wear the white coat, it should represent the responsibility we have to our patients and our profession.”

Susan Long, Ed.D., dean of the college, welcomed the students into the ranks of allied health practitioners, which represent more than 60% of all health care providers in the United States.

“I hope you regard your white coat as a visible reminder of your role as a well-educated, compassionate provider who brings unique and valuable expertise to the partnership that health care providers establish with their patients,” she said.

Alicia Leverette, M.S.P.A.S., PA-C, a physician assistant at the UAMS Psychiatric Research Institute, delivered the keynote address. She urged the Class of 2022 to remember that patients are more than a diagnosis.

Alicia Leverette, M.S.P.A.S., PA-C, a physician assistant at the UAMS Psychiatric Research Institute, delivered the keynote address. She urged the Class of 2022 to remember that patients are more than a diagnosis.

Payton Ransom, president of the Class of 2020, delivered her remarks from a conference room at her new job. She urged the students to be flexible, take care of themselves, build a strong support system, ask for help and work hard.

Gloria Richard-Davis, M.D., medical director of the program, introduced the keynote speaker, Alicia Leverette, M.S.P.A.S., PA-C, a physician assistant at the UAMS Psychiatric Research Institute and the 2019 PA Preceptor of the Year.

Leverette warned students that a desire for wealth would not sustain them for many years in the demanding profession. “Rather, a passion to serve others is what will continue to fuel you for decades.”

She urged the students to remember their patients are people and not just a diagnosis.

“Most of all, listen to them,” she said. “Patients will teach you so much. They will be some of your best professors.”

Jason McBride, class president, recites the Physician Assistant Professional Oath.

Jason McBride, class president, recites the Physician Assistant Professional Oath.

Amber Teigen, M.M.S., PA-C, associate program director and assistant professor, read the students’ names as they donned their white coats for the first time, assisted by their parents, spouses, friends and sometimes fellow PA students. Each student announced the names of the people helping with the coating.

Finally, Nadja Vawryk Button, M.H.S., PA-C, assistant professor, led the students in reciting the Physician Assistant Professional Oath.

The students receiving their white coats were:

  • Lauren Ackley
  • Taryn Arel
  • Emily Bogert
  • Kori Brannan
  • Jaishlynn Braxton
  • Thi Cao
  • Cassidy Chu
  • Emily Cook
  • Cole Coston
  • Nathan Crawshaw
  • Sarah Elkins
  • Avery Elliott
  • Margarita Epley
  • Brittany Fair
  • Bailey Fithian
  • Joseph Frescura
  • Ashley Hewitt
  • Lindsey Howe
  • Tahiya Islam
  • A’Vonte Jones
  • Jordan Kalousek
  • Sarah Lilly
  • Jason McBride
  • Halie Moreno
  • Earl Neel
  • Chelsea Newey
  • Bhavin Patel
  • Morgan Payne
  • Haley Ratcliff
  • Collin Roberts
  • Whitney Shafer
  • Taylor Sites
  • Caleb Stein
  • Elizabeth Tlapek
  • Haeden Waymack
  • Bailey Whittington
  • Morgan Wyrick
  • Natalya Zeagler