On Saturday, Aug. 14, 29 doctor of occupational therapy and 14 doctor of pharmacy students, joined by family and friends, were welcomed to both their profession and their new professional home on the Phoenix Health Sciences Campus. The School of Pharmacy and Health Professions Professionalism Ceremony is held each year to witness and honor the commitment first-year students are making to their profession and society.
The ceremony officially marks entrance into the chosen field as a student professional. During the ceremony, each student receives a white coat as a discipline specific symbol of their profession.
“Healthcare professionals are respected and held to a higher standard. The community, patients and colleagues look up to these professionals. Our Professionalism Ceremony is a celebration of students’ commitment to their chosen profession and to society,” said Amy Wilson, PharmD, senior associate dean for operations at the Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions.
The order of exercises included: opening and closing remarks from Shawn Cook, MPA, assistant dean of student affairs; invocation and benediction by Kevin L. Dilworth, SJ, assistant professor in the School of Medicine; welcome and reflections on professionalism by Evan Robinson, RPh, PhD, FNAP, dean of the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions; and presentation of white coats by Michael Gerg, DOT, OTR/L, and Timothy P. Ivers, PharmD, AAHIVP, both assistant professors in the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions Phoenix Campus, Robinson, Dilworth; and professional oaths and pledge of a health care professional with Wilson.
