Gardner-Webb Physician Assistant (PA) Class of 2022 Honored with White Coat Ceremony

White Coat Symbolizes the PA Students Transition to Clinical Rotations

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The Gardner-Webb University Physician Assistant (PA) Studies Class of 2022 received their white coats during a ceremony held recently.

The donning of the white coats symbolizes their readiness to see patients after completing four grueling semesters of didactic education. The PA students will begin their clinical rotations in late May. This next phase of their education is three semesters long, and they will graduate the following May.

“We are thrilled to offer an in-person White Coat Ceremony this year, even with necessary modifications in place to adhere to social distancing guidelines,” noted Dr. Ami R. Steele, associate professor, department chair and program director of PA Studies. “Celebrating this rite-of-passage is a treasured experience for the students, their families, and our program faculty and staff. We hope this is the beginning of a slow return to ‘normal’ for all of us.”

Dr. Nicole Waters, associate provost for the College of Health Sciences, gave the invocation. Mari Chadwick, assistant professor, principal faculty, presented the significance of the white coat. Ashley Kernicky, associate program director led the Physician Assistant Oath, and Steele gave the closing remarks. Heather Diebler, assistant professor, principal faculty, gave the benediction. 

The following students received their white coats:

• Ryan Alexander, Mesa, Ariz.
• Landan Brooks, Easley, S.C.
• Jordan Chappell, Hertford, N.C.
• Kinston Cummings, Rowland, N.C.
• Ethan Garris, New Bern, N.C.
• Andrew Gustavson, Charlotte, N.C.
• Anna Henderson, Summerville, S.C.
• Corey Horne, Guyton, Ga.
• Jasmyne Hudson, New Orleans, La.
• Brooke Hungerford, Fletcher, N.C.
• Charles Hutton, Salisbury, N.C.
• Isabella Kim, Chesapeake City, Va.
• Makenna Lehrman, Boiling Springs, S.C.
• Phillip Leonard, Palatka, Fla.
• Nolan McCourt, Burlington, Wis.
• Ashley Monroe, Rutherfordton, N.C.
• Julia Murtha
• Nicole Nielsen, Maggie Valley, N.C.
• Nicollette Oudkerk, Brooklyn, N.Y.
• Alexis Patti, Tabernacle, N.J.
• Ashley Poore, Hendersonville, N.C.
• Alyssa Proctor, Kings Mountain, N.C.
• Sierra Read, Durham, N.C.
• Zeth Rogers, Greensburg, Ky.
• Scott Rose, Nampa, Idaho.
• Tomas Scoleri, Ogden, Utah.
• Siddarth Shah, Atlanta, Ga.
• Blake Smith, Kernersville, N.C.
• Caleb Smith, Fayetteville, N.C.
• Rachel Stanford, Rockwell, N.C.
• Lindsey Thomas, Lima, Ohio
• Grace Thompson-Byrum, Iron Station, N.C.
• Kaitlin Wilson, Knoxville, Tenn.
• Austin York, Mobile, Ala.
• Tiffany Zumbahlen, Fuquay Varina, N.C.

The PA Professional Oath

I pledge to perform the following duties with honesty and dedication:

• I will hold as my primary responsibility the health, safety, welfare and dignity of all human beings.
• I will uphold the tenets of patient autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence and justice.
• I will recognize and promote the value of diversity.
• I will treat equally all persons who seek my care.
• I will hold in confidence the information shared in the course of practicing medicine.
• I will assess my personal capabilities and limitations, striving always to improve my medical practice.
• I will actively seek to expand my knowledge and skills, keeping abreast of advances in medicine.
• I will work with other members of the health care team to provide compassionate and effective care of patients.
• I will use my knowledge and experience to contribute to an improved community.
• I will respect my professional relationship with the physician.
• I will share and expand knowledge within the profession.

These duties are pledged with sincerity and upon my honor.

Located in the North Carolina foothills, Gardner-Webb University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university. Gardner-Webb emphasizes a strong student-centered experience and rigorous academics to prepare students to become effective leaders within the global community. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.