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UNE’s College of Pharmacy formally welcomed the class of 2018 at the annual White Coat Ceremony on Saturday, September 27.  The ceremony was preceded on Friday by an open house, showcasing the wide variety of that are available and eager for new student participation.

Associate Dean of Student Services, Jean MB Woodward, began the event by highlighting the White Coat’s significance. “White Coat Ceremonies have been used by Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy as an outward sign of a personal commitment to the profession. The White Coat has had a long association with all things medical, scientific, and healing. It is also associated with the attributes of purity and goodness.”

Woodward continued with an explanation of the responsibilities and expectations that accompany a profession in patient care.“The profession of pharmacy is one that demands adherence to a set of ethical principles. These high ideals are necessary to ensure the high quality of care our patients entrust us to provide. It is a privilege to be involved with patient care, and with privilege comes many responsibilities.”

The first keynote speaker was Alex J. Adams, PharmD, Vice President of Pharmacy Programs for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS). He leads the research efforts of the NACDS Foundation, focusing on pharmacy-based point-of-care testing, medication adherence interventions, and pharmacy services following hospital discharge.

 Dr. Adams advised students to understand and respect their critical roles in the future of pharmacy. “We must practice every day at the top of our education and the top of our training, not the bottom of our licenses.  I don’t know about you but I am fired up about the profession of pharmacy. So, while the times around us are challenging, the opportunities are certainly invigorating.”

Jennifer Adams, PharmD, EdD, also joined as keynote speaker. Dr. Adams serves as Senior Director of Strategic Academic Partnerships at the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. In this role, she acts as a leader for association partnership development, and oversees national student affairs activities such as PharmCas, PCAT, and student recruitment. At the ceremony, Dr. Adams discussed what it means to be a professional, especially as student pharmacists, “Learn from the both the positives and the negatives that you will experience, and remember that professionalization is a lifelong process that will occur throughout your career.”

Alumna Michelle O’Meara, PharmD ’14, wrapped up the speakers’ remarks with sage words of advice, “So remember:  get to know your professors, treat every rotation like it’s an interview, and be a team.”

Congratulations, and welcome to the Class of 2018!