Class of 2018 student pharmacists put on their white coats

By UCSF School of Pharmacy Editorial Staff / Thu Nov 13, 2014

Susan Merrell

Student pharmacist Emmeline Academia receives her white coat from alumni Robert Duey, PharmD '64, at the White Coat Ceremony.

The students of the UCSF School of Pharmacy’s incoming class—whose countries of origin range from Rwanda to Iran and who hold degrees in subjects from biology to biochemistry and from psychology to accounting—put on their white coats for the first time on October 10, 2014, in an afternoon ceremony signaling their entry into the profession.

The 122 student pharmacists of the Class of 2018 were joined by family and friends, as well as by School alumni and faculty “coaters,” in a packed Cole Hall on the UCSF Parnassus campus.

Dean B. Joseph Guglielmo, PharmD, and UCSF Pharmacy Alumni Association President Robert Levin, PharmD, welcomed the audience. Alumnus and faculty member Marilyn Stebbins, PharmD, and fourth-year student pharmacist Timothy Mok presented remarks.

The newly coated student pharmacists closed the ceremony by taking, in unison, the Oath of a Pharmacist, led by Vice Dean and alumnus Sharon L. Youmans, PharmD, MPH.

Richard Trujillo, UCSF

The White Coat Ceremony is a meaningful yearly tradition in which the School welcomes first-year student pharmacists as colleagues dedicated to patient care. During this event, pharmacy alumni present entering students with a white coat, the symbol of clinical service and care. Facing the audience together, the newly coated students take their pledge of professionalism—the Oath of a Pharmacist.

Susan Merrell

Students applaud a keynote speaker at the White Coat Ceremony on October 10, 2014. Left to right: Kyle Brown, Christine Boulous, Jacquelyn Boudle.

Susan Merrell

Jeffrey Kim, a student in the Transitions of Care clinic, was recognized during the School of Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony as an exceptional student who wasn't afraid to innovate and think outside the box.

Susan Merrell

Class of 2018 student pharmacist Tuba Nemati is white-coated by Glenn Yokoyama, associate professor of Clinical Pharmacy.

Susan Merrell

Mercy Tang takes a crowd selfie with her fellow student pharmacists, after the White Coat Ceremony. Left to right: Jefferson Cua, Mercy Tang, Kimmy Tam.