The School of Nursing hosted its fourth annual White Coat Ceremony on Sunday, October 15 at Memorial Hall on Carolina’s campus, welcoming first year students in the School’s BSN programs to the nursing profession.
The students were joined by faculty, staff and administrators of the School, along with family and friends for the ceremonial occasion, which is held at the beginning of each academic year to initiate new students in the BSN and the accelerated BSN programs to nursing and to emphasize humanistic, patient-centered care.
Dean Nena Peragallo Montano presided over the ceremony, which featured keynote remarks by Catherine K. Madigan, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at UNC Hospitals, who stressed the importance of healthy relationships with one’s self, one’s colleagues, and one’s patients in the nursing profession.
Following the remarks, the students were each called to the stage by name and presented their embroidered coats. On hand as presenters were Anita Tesh, Assistant Dean of the Undergraduate Program and Undergraduate Division, Ashley Leak Bryant, Assistant Professor and President-Elect of the UNC School of Nursing Alumni Association, Louise Fleming, Assistant Professor, and William E. Self, President of the UNC School of Nursing Foundation.
“The white coat itself symbolizes a commitment to our profession and to providing compassionate care. By accepting a white coat, you are making a commitment to transform yourself into a healthcare professional with integrity, a professional with whom patients place their trust. Your white coat is a material symbol of the promise that you make to each and every patient you will encounter.” – Catherine K. Madigan
At the close of the ceremony, the students were asked to join all nurses in the audience in reciting the professional oath to “accept the duties and responsibilities that embody the nursing profession.”
Following the ceremony, family and guests gathered at Carrington Hall for an open house and tours of the School. More pictures from the ceremony are available in this Facebook album.
Sincere thanks to the generous sponsors of this year’s ceremony:
- The Department of Nursing, UNC Hospitals
- UNC Health Care
- Alpha Alpha Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing Alumni Association
- McPherson Cleaners