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The Class of 2024 Physician Assistant students celebrated the start of their journey into clinical medicine through the Boston University School of Medicine Physician Assistant (PA) Program at their White Coat Ceremony held March 25.<\/p>\nThe Class of 2024 Physician Assistant students celebrated the start of their journey into clinical medicine through the Boston University School of Medicine Physician Assistant (PA) Program at their White Coat Ceremony held March 25.<\/p>\n
They became the ninth PA student class to don their white coats at BUSM. Having learned how to complete a history and physical exam in their first semester, students received their white coats as a symbol of their progression to the clinical phase of their education.<\/p>\n
The students were greeted by Program Director Susan White, MD, BUSM Dean Karen Antman, MD, and addressed by John Wade Professor and Chair of Medicine David Coleman, MD.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you put on your white coat for the first time today, the message is not that you are expected to become a professional, but that as of today, you are now, already a professional,\u201d Antman said. \u201cOn behalf of the faculty, welcome to the study of clinical medicine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am thrilled to join you today,\u201d Coleman said. \u201cThis program has had such a remarkable impact on our department, our patients and the larger medical school community.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re coming into a program where all of us are prepared to \u2018lean in\u2019 to help you to develop and to contribute in ways meaningful to you and to our patients \u2026 Take some joy that you now have lots of partners to help you on that journey.\u201d<\/p>\n
The keynote speaker was\u00a0Robert Lowe, MD, associate professor of medicine\/gastroenterology.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe white coat ceremony originated in 1993 as a symbol of entering the profession,\u201d Lowe said. \u201cBut in all your training, the coat is going to become unnecessary because you\u2019re going to take on all the attributes of professionalism that this coat entails. So, whether you have the coat on or not, you are going to be a practicing clinician.<\/p>\n
\u201cFind an area of medical practice that you love to do and do it. You have that opportunity and that flexibility in the service of others,\u201d he continued. \u201cHard work. Commitment. That\u2019s what you put into it. But what do you get out of it? You get people who will be lifelong friends. You get to be challenged all the time with new developments in science, ethics, public policy.”<\/p>\n
Following the speakers, the students were called up individually and donned their white coats. When all had received them, they recited the Physician Assistant Professional Oath, a summary statement of their professional duties and obligations.<\/p>\n
Before the ceremony ended, students had an opportunity to listen to an unexpected guest speaker, Oren Berkowitz, PhD, MSPH, PA-C, the program\u2019s Director of Research before he was recruited to Israel to develop the first university-based PA program. \u201cIt\u2019s thrilling to be back and to see everyone and to see the program thriving and growing\u2026Putting on a whitecoat for the first time, it brings up emotions in everyone. That\u2019s going to be your uniform from now on.\u00a0 Enjoy it! I wish you all great success. Congratulations.”<\/p>\n