Students Participate in White Coat Ceremony

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Students Participate in White Coat Ceremony

On Saturday, July 9, 2016, a record number of friends and family members packed into Metcalf Hall in the BU Student Union at 4 p.m. to watch the members of the DMD Class of 2018 and AS Class of 2017 participate in the annual White Coat Ceremony, which marks the midway point of dental students’ education and celebrates their transition from the classroom to the patient treatment center.

After all the 850 students and attendees had taken their seats in Metcalf Hall, the White Coat Ceremony started off with a welcome from Assistant Dean of Students Dr. Joseph Calabrese and opening remarks from Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter.

“Family truly is the most important part of our lives and that your child, spouse, grandchild, mother or father, aunt or uncle, niece or nephew wanted you here with them today for this ceremony speaks volumes to me about our students and the core values that you as parents, siblings, relatives, children, and friends have instilled in them,” Dean Hutter told the students.

The keynote address followed Dean Hutter’s remarks and it was delivered by Ms. Carol Gomez Summerhays, President of the American Dental Association. After the keynote address, the two classes were presented to Dean Hutter by Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Cataldo Leone to signify the beginning of the ceremony.

The students approached the stage four-at-a-time to don their white coats, signifying an important transition in their educational and dental careers. While Dr. Stephen Dulong announced their names, Dr. Joseph Calabrese, Dr. John Guarente, Dr. Cataldo Leone, and Dr. Janet Peters assisted the students in donning their coats.   Dr. Bing Liu and Dr. Tina Valadez served as Marshalls for the Ceremony.  When all the students had their coats on, Dean Hutter, led the DMD Class of 2018 and AS Class of 2017 in reciting the Professional Oath.

Several students were then recognized with awards. The recipients of the Spencer N. Frankl Scholarships, American Dental Association (ADA) Foundation Scholarship, and Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dr. William S. Kramer Award of Excellence were announced.

The three Spencer N. Frankl Scholarships were awarded to Adela Brodek DMD 18; Mira Daljeet DMD 18; and Alicia Tavares DMD 18, while the ADA Foundation Scholarship was awarded to Adela Brodek DMD 18. The Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dr. William S. Kramer Award of Excellence was awarded to Lauren Lieberman DMD 18 by Dr. Summerhays and Dean Hutter.

Dean Hutter closed the ceremony with a few more remarks to the students and their families and friends.

“I know I speak for all our faculty, staff, students, residents and alumni in saying that we are extremely proud of what you have already accomplished and honored to have the opportunity to mentor, educate, train and provide support to you as you continue on your journey into our profession,” said Dean Hutter.

He continued, “To the family members and other guests who made the special trip here today, thank you and congratulations on raising such fine daughters, sons, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and having such a positive impact on their lives.”

All of the DMD 18 and AS 17 students, now that they officially have their white coats, will be tasked with managing the comprehensive oral health care of their patients, while providing them with needed treatment in the pre-doctoral Patient Treatment Center of GSDM.

Before the ceremony began, students, families, and friends were also invited to participate in special tours of GSDM. These tours provided attendees of the White Coat Ceremony an opportunity to see where the dental students are educated and provide oral healthcare to their patients. Dean Hutter and Dr. Calabrese greeted and took photos with the students, families, and friends on the front steps of the School prior to the tours.

Photos can be found on Facebook and Flickr.