The 2024 White Coat Ceremony—awe-inspiring, minimally!
Tallahassee, Crestview FL – Awe-inspiring, with standing room only, was the Florida Blue Auditorium atmosphere in the FAMU CoPPS, IPH on Thursday, November 14, 2024 with families of the white coat honorees, friends, alumni, faculty, staff and other learners and supporters celebrating this significant milestone in the learners’ academic progression. The honorees included: four learners in the Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS) program and 64 learners in the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Class of 2028.
Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major was the preeminent prelude which helped to usher in the “pomp and circumstance” for the processional of the Macette Bearer, Syreeta L. Tilghman, Ph.D., Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences. After placing the Macette in its holder, she officially opened the ceremony. Associate Professor of Pharmaceutics, and Emerging Pharmacists Summer Camp Director, Bridg’ette Israel, Ph.D. gave the Call to Order, followed by the welcome from Ronald Watson Jr., PharmD Class of 2027 and a moving meditation by Philip Mercado, PharmD Class of 2027. The occasion came from Melody Thai, PharmD Class of 2027, followed by the Introduction of the Keynote Speaker by Jeania Bloom, PharmD Class of 2026.
Tamara McCants, PharmD (2001 alumna, FAMU CoPPS, IPH) Medical Science Liaison, Abbott Diabetes Care and President, National Pharmaceutical Association, brought the keynote, as well as co-sponsored the event. In her brief message to the learners, and others in attendance, she left three main thoughts:
- Know your strengths and embrace them,
- Put the time in—you cannot skate through (the pharmacy program), and
- Be open to all opportunities in the pharmacy profession.
THE COATING: BSPS Learner Coating & Oath was administered by Tiffany Ardley, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof., Medicinal Chemistry and Director, Undergraduate Research and BSPS Program; PharmD Coating was facilitated by Darice E. Richard-Mitchell, PharmD, Director of Experiential Education Program; PharmD Learner Pledge of Professionalism was given by Marissa Walker, PharmD, nationaldpac.com President and Final Remarks were given by Seth Y. Ablordeppey, Ph.D., Interim Dean, Professor and Eminent Scholar Chair, Biomed Sciences | FAMU CoPPS, IPH.
The Macette Bearer’s Closing and FAMU’s Alma Mater led into the Recessional. The event was capably orchestrated by Dr. Richard-Mitchell; Mr. Earl Wade, Administrative Coordinator, Continuing Pharmacy Education | Oath and Hooding, Awards and Scholarship Committee Chair; and Mr. Dekywan Debose, Development Director. Warm fellowship, a photo booth, and keepsake memories were created afterward, and a heavy hors d'oeuvres reception followed this auspicious occasion. Here is the 2024 White Coat Ceremony video, courtesy of Jefferson Walker Jquadmedia.com, and a few images, courtesy of Johnnie Lee Early.
