White Coat Ceremony Welcomes future 麻豆无码版 Pharmacists into ISU PharmD Program

by Vicki Nechodomu  |   

  • stage is set
    The stage is set for the UAA/ISU Doctor of Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony at the UAA Fine Arts Building on Aug. 18, 2023.
  • Mimi Tapanan
    P1 student Mimi Tapanan receives flowers ahead of the White Coat Ceremony.
  • Yup'ik drummers and dancers on stage
    The Yup鈥檌k Drummers and Dancers perform following a land acknowledgement at the UAA/ISU Doctor of Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony at the UAA Fine Arts Building on Aug. 18, 2023.
  • Brandy Signemartin
    Dr. Brandy Seignemartin, Executive Director of the 麻豆无码版 Pharmacy Association (AKPhA) delivers the keynote address.
  • Tom Wadsworth
    Dr. Tom Wadsworth, Interim Dean of the ISU College of Pharmacy emcee鈥檚 the evening.
  • Britteny Keener
    Dr. Brittney Keener, President of the AKPhA, welcome the new Student Pharmacists to the profession.
  • Amond Tilley
    P1 student Amond Tilley, receives his white coat at the UAA/ISU Doctor of Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony at the UAA Fine Arts Building on Aug. 18, 2023.
  • Sam Buck
    P1 student Sam Buck, receives her white coat at the UAA/ISU Doctor of Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony at the UAA Fine Arts Building on Aug. 18, 2023. 
  • Megan Wessleman
    P1 student Megan Wessleman, receives her white coat at the UAA/ISU Doctor of Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony at the UAA Fine Arts Building on Aug. 18, 2023.
  • Buygoem Park
    P1 student Buygoem Park, receives his white coat at the UAA/ISU Doctor of Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony at the UAA Fine Arts Building on Aug. 18, 2023.
  • Mimi Tapanan
    P1 student Mimi Tapanan, receives her white coat at the UAA/ISU Doctor of Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony at the UAA Fine Arts Building on Aug. 18, 2023.
  • Terri Hall presenting a check
    Terri E. Hall-Klouda, owner of Bernie's Pharmacy, presents a scholarship check to the incoming students at the UAA/ISU Doctor of Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony at the UAA Fine Arts Building on Aug. 18, 2023.
  • students taking the oath
    Incoming first year pharmacy students recite the Oath of a Pharmacist at the UAA/ISU Doctor of Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony at the UAA Fine Arts Building on Aug. 18, 2023.
  • incoming ISU Pharmacy students wearing white coats
    P1 students received their white coats at the UAA/ISU Doctor of Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony at the UAA Fine Arts Building on Aug. 18, 2023.
  • friends and family taking photos
    Friends and family take photos together after the UAA/ISU Doctor of Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony at the UAA Fine Arts Building on Aug. 18, 2023.
  • group photo
    New Student Pharmacist, Amond Tilley with representatives from the AKPhA board of directors,   pose for a photo after the UAA/ISU Doctor of Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony at the UAA Fine Arts Building on Aug. 18, 2023.
  • event volunteers
    Volunteers for the evening and upperclassmen, Codi Cope, Ethan Nguyen, Joe Diaz, and Katherine Germain (L to R) pose for a photo after the UAA/ISU Doctor of Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony at the UAA Fine Arts Building on Aug. 18, 2023.
  • event speakers
    Doctors Brandy Seignemartin, Amy Young, Brittney Keener, and Megan Penner(L to R) pose for a photo after the UAA/ISU Doctor of Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony at the UAA Fine Arts Building on Aug. 18, 2023.

On August 18th, 2023, the 麻豆无码版 (UAA) and Idaho State University (ISU) jointly hosted a White Coat Ceremony in Anchorage, 麻豆无码版, welcoming 9 incoming first-year pharmacy students (P1) to the UAA/ISU Doctor of Pharmacy program. This event serves as a significant rite of passage for the students, marking the beginning of their professional journey in the field of pharmacy.

Dr. Tom Wadsworth, Executive Associate Dean for the ISU College of Pharmacy, set the stage for the ceremony, recognizing the significance of students receiving their white coats, 鈥渟ymbolizing their pledge of excellence to the profession and to our program, in front of your loved ones, in front of your faculty, and in front of those who you will serve as healthcare professionals.鈥

Dr. Brittany Keener, President of the 麻豆无码版 Pharmacist Association, delivered remarks, congratulating students on their acceptance into the UAA/ISU Doctor of Pharmacy program and shared her own experiences as a pharmacy student twenty years ago. 

鈥淚t may be really cliche, but it goes by incredibly fast,鈥 said Keener. 鈥淐herish the friendships you make with each other. The bonds that you create can evolve into lifelong relationships. You will spend a lot of time together studying, clarifying assignments, commiserating, supporting when times are difficult, and also celebrating successes. All of this is going to be while you're beside each other, watching each other Learn and Grow.鈥 

Keener also stressed the role of the 麻豆无码版 Pharmacist Association in supporting and advancing the profession of pharmacy, outlining collaborations leading to the passage of several recent bills within the state that define the pharmacist scope of practice. She encouraged the students to engage with the association, seek mentors, and actively contribute to advocacy, networking, and community engagement efforts. 

鈥淥ver the next few years, I hope that you find your passion. I challenge you to maintain a growth mindset. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Expect the unexpected and remain flexible,鈥 stated Keenan. 鈥淎nd most importantly, believe in yourself and prioritize self-care.鈥

Dr. Brandi Signemartin, the Executive Director of the 麻豆无码版 Pharmacist Association and a faculty member of the UAA/ISU Doctor of Pharmacy program, delivered the keynote speech, emphasizing the changing landscape of healthcare and the pivotal role that pharmacists could play. Signemartin encouraged the students to imagine the possibilities of their future pharmacy practice, which included providing direct patient care, independently prescribing medication, and ordering laboratory tests.

鈥淗ow will you all, over the next four years, and throughout your careers, embrace your professional identity? How will you work to advance pharmacy practice in the great state of 麻豆无码版 for your patients and our community,鈥 asked Signemartin. 鈥淕iven the challenges and opportunities facing Pharmacy today, I will leave you with a challenge. Don't just study pharmacy. Engage in our profession. Let's work together to change, improve, and lead the practice of pharmacy for the patients we serve in 麻豆无码版.鈥 

The concluded with the presentation of white coats to each student and their recitation of the Pharmacist Code of Ethics, underscoring their commitment to upholding the principles of their profession.