White Coat Ceremony 2023
The University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy class of 2024 celebrated their transition from academic coursework to advanced clinical training during the annual white coat ceremony in Centennial Hall on Friday, April 21.
During the ceremony, 107 students received their white coats from faculty members. These students have completed their third year of academic course work and will begin clinical rotations for their final year. Members of the class of 2023, who will graduate in May, then led the group in reciting the Oath of Professionalism.
Mobeen Moslem, PharmD, a 2013 alumnus of the Coit College of Pharmacy and the director of pharmacy and retail operations for the Walgreens Co., based in Southern Arizona, was the keynote speaker. He spoke of the value and importance of the pharmacy profession and encouraged the class of 2024 to "advocate, lead and change how the pharmacist role interacts with other health care professionals."
"We cannot afford for you to not be involved," Dr. Moslem said. "We will need all of your voices and diversity of thought to continue reproving what the practice of pharmacy should look like in years to come."
Dean Rick Schnellmann, PhD, shared the importance of empathy, compassion and cultural competency.
“You will be expected to provide care to patients of diverse backgrounds and unique health care needs,” he said. “Treat every patient with respect and dignity and strive for cultural humility and sensitivity.”