A Dec. 12 program in the Sacred Space of the Numen Lumen Pavilion marked the end of academic studies and the formal start of clinical education for members of the PA program's Class of 2016.
The Elon University Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program celebrated its second annual White Coat Ceremony on Dec. 12, 2014, in the Sacred Space in the Numen Lumen Pavilion.
The 38 students’ families and friends joined the PA program faculty and staff to celebrate a traditional rite of passage for PA candidates with welcome messages from Associate Professor Patti Ragan, chair and program director of the Physician Assistant Studies program, and Elizabeth A. Rogers, dean of the School of Health Sciences.
The keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Kevin L. Krasinski, an orthopaedic surgeon for Burlington Orthopaedic & Hand Surgery and a guest lecturer for the program. The students received their white coats, which they wore for the first time as they recited the PA Honor Oath, committing themselves to a lifetime of treating their patients with dignity and respect while providing quality medical care.
The students, members of the class of 2016, now begin 15 months of clinical education where they will complete rotations in primary care, inpatient medicine, women’s health, behavioral medicine, pediatrics, general surgery and emergency medicine. Each student will also enroll in two electives.