Students Gather for their Class Picture After The White Coat Ceremony
On Saturday, July 11, 2015, hundreds 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 2017 and AS Class of 2016 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 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. The keynote address followed Dean Hutter’s remarks and it was delivered by District 1 Trustee of The American Dental Association, Dr. Jeffrey Dow.
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. Associate Professor in the Department of General Dentistry Dr. Stephen Dulong then called each student’s name as they were brought onto the stage to receive their professional coats.
The students approached the stage three-at-a-time to finally don their white coats, signifying an important transition in their educational and dental careers. Drs. Joseph Calabrese, John Guarente, Cataldo Leone, and Janet Peters assisted the students in donning their coats. Drs. Bing Liu and Tina Valadez served as Marshalls for the Ceremony. When all the students had their coats on, Dean Hutter, led the DMD Class of 2017 and AS Class of 2016 in reciting the Professional Oath. Dean Hutter then provided some closing remarks, prior to leading the students and official party out of the Hall to the loud applause of friends and family. A reception was then held for the students and their families, friends and guests.
During the ceremony, several students were also 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 Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dr. William S. Kramer Award of Excellence was awarded to Rebekah Gould DMD 17. The two ADA Foundation Scholarships were awarded to Jose Abrahantes DMD 17, and Michael Whitcomb DMD 17. The four Spencer N. Frankl Scholarships were awarded to Heidi Borenstein DMD 17, Jing Guo DMD 17, Megan McDougall DMD 17, and Nikkita Muwanguzi, DMD 17
All of the DMD 17 and AS 16 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.
“I am so very proud of all the GSDM students who participated in the White Coat Ceremony,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “This ceremony is one of the most important and memorable moments in every dental student’s career, and I know our GSDM students will cherish this day for the entirety of their time at GSDM and throughout their careers.”
Before the ceremony began, students, family, 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.