Incoming class at UH Hilo College of Pharmacy celebrates White Coat Ceremony

Posted on by

The ceremony affirms students’ commitment to the values of the pharmacy profession: professionalism, respect, integrity and compassion.

Two pharmacy students in their white coats, with lei and haku lei. One holds a copy of the Oath of a Pharmacist.
Two candidates for the UH Hilo pharmacy doctorate stand for a photo in their white coats, just bestowed to them as they begin the serious work toward their advanced degrees. (Photo: Robbyn Peck for UH Hilo)

By Susan Enright/UH Hilo Stories.

Students in their white coats and lei stand to recite the Oath of a Pharmacist.
The class of 2018 recites the Oath of a Pharmacist. (Photo: Robbyn Peck for UH Hilo)

The White Ceremony in medical, pharmacy and other health care schools is a rite of passage as first-year students begin their studies, marking transition into the serious path toward doctoral degrees. And so it was on Sunday for 83 students just entering the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy.

The ceremony affirms students’ commitment to the values of the pharmacy profession: professionalism, respect, integrity and compassion. Distinctive to Hawaiʻi’s ceremony is each student receiving a flower lei as they enter the stage to recite the Oath of a Pharmacist in the presence of fellow students, faculty, staff, community supporters and family.

“I promise to devote myself to a lifetime of service to others through the profession of pharmacy,” recited the class of 2018. “In fulfilling this vow, I will consider the welfare of humanity and relief of suffering my primary concerns. I will apply my knowledge, experience, and skills to the best of my ability to assure optimal outcomes for my patients. I will respect and protect all personal and health information entrusted to me.

Formal photo of entire class standing on tiered stage set up. Students are in their white coats.
The Class of 2018. (Photo: Robbyn Peck for UH Hilo)

“I will accept the lifelong obligation to improve my professional knowledge and competence. I will hold myself and my colleagues to the highest principles of our profession’s moral, ethical and legal conduct. I will embrace and advocate changes that improve patient care. I will utilize my knowledge, skills, experiences, and values to prepare the next generation of pharmacists.

“I take these vows voluntarily with the full realization of the responsibility with which I am entrusted by the public.”

The keynote speaker at this year’s White Coat Ceremony was Sherry Bracken, news reporter for Hawaiʻi Public Radio and producer and host of Island Issues, a weekly interview program on LAVA 105.3 FM and KKOA 107.7 FM. Don Straney, chancellor, and John Pezzuto, dean of the college, presided.

Four new pharmacy residents who have worked on Oʻahu and already have their pharmacy doctorates also were recognized along with the new pharmacy doctorate candidates.

Story by Susan Enright, a public information specialist for the Office of the Chancellor and editor of UH Hilo Stories. She received her bachelor of arts in English and certificate in women’s studies from UH Hilo.

Share this story