News @ VCU School of Pharmacy

White Coat Ceremony an event to remember

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Every School of Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony has something that sets it apart. The class of 2013’s White Coat Ceremony had something that almost sent it out on the street.

About 4 p.m. Aug. 22 -- just as P1 students began to recite the Oath of a Student Pharmacist with student body president Van Tran (P3) – an alarm went off in the Greater Richmond Convention Center. A loud, insistent, disembodied recording said, “MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE? A FIRE EMERGENCY HAS BEEN REPORTED IN THIS BUILDING!”

Over and over. And over again.

In the meantime, Tran stayed her course, continuing to read the oath along with 130 newly minted student pharmacists. As soon as Tran walked offstage, Dean Victor Yanchick stepped to the podium. “Please be seated,” he said. “Don’t run out.”

 All the while, blaring out in the lobby: “ MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE? A FIRE EMERGENCY HAS BEEN REPORTED IN THIS BUILDING!”

“Man,” quipped Yanchick. “This has been one hot ceremony. … This is one hot class!” Assuring the record-sized audience that the alarm was false – no need to worry – he congratulated the ‘13ers. “This,” he said, “is one that will go down in the history books.”

As students, faculty, family and friends poured out into the reception area, it was noticeable – just beyond the lovely flower arrangements and hors d’oeuvres-packed trays – that two firetrucks, a fire van and a police car, lights flashing, still lined the Fifth Street side of the building. It also had rained during the ceremony but now was only sprinkling.

Having had their photos snapped with family members and friends, student began posing with Richmond firefighters.

Although ‘13ers are likely to remember the fire alarm in years to come, they’re also likely to remember why they were there in the first place.

Prefacing the dean’s opening remarks, Wal-Mart representative Vince Williams said, “Today you enter the journey of wearing a white coat.” With that coat, he said, come many responsibilities.

The dean enlarged upon that theme: “This ceremony defines the role of the white coat in a public forum. … You must adhere to the highest standards. Remember, you’re being prepared for a career in pharmacy, not a job in pharmacy.”

While donning the white coat is a symbol of students beginning to grow and mature, Yanchick said, the coat isn’t magic, nor should it be considered a “bulletproof vest.”

“Your professionalism will be challenged continually in your career,” he said. Beginning to learn how to handle that now “will help you grow into that coat as those have before you.”

The future of the pharmacy profession -- as in all health care -- lies in change, said the dean.

“We’re seeing what I believe to be a revolution in health care. Pharmacists will be moving into a new role with patients.”

In this profession, he said, one of the best characteristics a student can develop is empathy. When looking at a patient, think, “I could be sitting where you are. How would I want to be treated?”

By 2025, Yanchick pointed out, more than 30 percent of the U.S. population will be older than 65. More than 325,000 will be older than 100. At some point, a life expectancy of 120 or 130 will not be uncommon.

In this class’ lifetime, he added, nanotechnology will be commonplace. Micromolecular machines injected in the body will allow drug doses to be unique to individuals, and pharmacists will be the ones compounding those drugs. (Note: Just last week, it was announced that VCU has received approval to offer an interdisciplinary doctoral degree program in nanoscience and nanotechnology, beginning January 2010.)

So … do expect change, be prepared and live up to what the white coat symbolizes.

Following the dean’s remarks, Tom Reinders, associate dean for admissions and student services, called out students’ names as Yanchick helped them put on their white coats. As often is the case, a few students had trouble with their coats or otherwise attracted the attention of the audience … including Andrew Carmichael, Wanda Nguyen, Seth Strawbridge and Lauren Wyatt.

Waiting patiently in line, white coats draped over their arms, students occasionally waved or gave a thumbs-up to family. Nearing the stage, Ashley Higbea turned to Amanda Higuchi and grinned as if to say, “OK, here we go, this is it!”

“You look transformed!” Yanchick said, smiling, as the class of 2013 sat down.

About five minutes later, the fire alarm sounded.

Recalling other “exciting” white-coat events, Denise Emminger, APPE program director, said, “Remember the year the air conditioning didn’t work?”

Now that would been a really hot ceremony and a really hot class.

Thanks go out to Wal-Mart Pharmacy for having sponsored the event, as well as donors who individually sponsored white coats:
Carilion Clinic, 10 coats
Phillip Ball (Pharm.D. ’03)
Kevin Bluxome (Pharm.D. ’05)
Suparna Das Choudhuri
Brandon Jennings (Pharm.D. ’06)
Kelli Jennings (Pharm.D. ’06)
Robert McClelland (Pharm.D. ’02)
Brian Miller (Pharm.D. ’04)
Kalpesh Patel (Pharm.D. ’03)
Nagesh Pulicherla (Ph.D. ’08)
Amy Jernigan Riggs (Pharm.D. ’02)
Karen Rymers (Pharm.D. ’06)
Katie Underhill (Pharm.D. ’06)

Submitted By:
Cynthia McMullen
9/1/2009