I’m so excited to share all about my PT school white coat ceremony with you all!
My white coat ceremony took place at the beginning of my third cumulative semester of PT school, which was a few weeks into the fall semester of my second year. This ceremony was such a significant day for me as a DPT student because it signified the welcoming of my classmates and I into the doctoring profession of physical therapy and our transition from didactic coursework to clinical education. Keep reading to see what the day looked like!
Special thanks to my little brother and members of the SU DPT class of 22 for snapping these awesome pictures!!
The ceremony took place on a beautiful Saturday morning. My school’s auditorium was filled with eager parents, grandparents, family members, and friends that were so excited to share this special day with us. Before the ceremony began while guests were arriving and getting seated, we had a slideshow playing with music that included a bunch of pictures of my classmates and I throughout our time in PT school so far. Look who even made an appearance in the slideshow - my dog, Dawson!!
To start off the ceremony, our program director gave an opening statement, followed by our co-presidents who introduced our keynote speaker, Dr. Greg Bennett, PT, DSc, MS. Dr. Bennett is the executive VP at Drayer Physical Therapy Institute and gave a phenomenal speech. He welcomed my class into this doctoring profession with open arms, words of encouragement, and some pretty great jokes here and there. He reminded us it what it meant to be there in that moment ready to take this next step forward and how special it is to be a part of this wonderful profession. His speech was so empowering and helped instill a whole new level of confidence and passion in my classmates and I. The fall semester of our second year is probably one of the toughest, busiest semesters overall in the program. So, this ceremony was a great way to start off the semester with such a wonderful reminder as to what we are working towards and all of the amazing opportunities that are yet to come.
Time to get a fancy new coat!! Following Dr. Bennet’s speech, we were presented with our white coats by our class advisor, Dr. Fergus. We each went up on the stage one-by-one in alphabetical order and were coated by Dr. Fergus with all of our other professors on stage ready to congratulate us.
After everyone received their white coats, we recited the Oath of the Physical Therapist. The Oath of the Physical Therapist is a pledge of professionalism and dedication to ethical and quality patient care. I’m a pretty emotional person and got all up in my feels multiple times throughout the ceremony, but this is what hit me the hardest. Reciting this oath among my classmates with all of my family, friends, and professors/future colleagues present was such an extraordinary moment that I will never forget.
Now, we were officially inducted into the profession - time to celebrate!! Following the ceremony, we enjoyed refreshments with our friends, families, and professors and of course took lots and lots of photos to remember this special day in our lives lives.
I couldn’t ask for a better family and support system! Shoutout to my not-so-little brother that carried me like a champ when my feet started killing me from my heels lol.
And just like that, the Doctor of Physical Therapy profession had 56 newly inducted members - Shenandoah University Doctor of Physical Therapy class of 2021!
I am so thankful for these amazing classmates that have not only become my best friends, but my family forever. I seriously could not ask for a better group of people to go through this journey with. Through the good days, the bad days, and everything in-between, we’re always here for one another no matter what and have shared so many incredible moments together that will always hold the most special place in my heart.
This was such a special day in my life that I will never forget. Receiving my white coat gave me a whole new feeling of purpose, passion, and wholesomeness. After this day, I was no longer just a student anymore - but was a student physical therapist ready to serve this profession with honor and grace. This day reminded me that all of my long days of hard work and stressful tears are all for something so much bigger than myself. Everything felt so right. I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be, I fell more in love with physical therapy, and I was so excited to continue chasing this dream.
Thanks so much for reading! :)