The Future Looks Bright after the Latest White Coat Ceremony
In July 2014, the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) celebrated the fourth annual White Coat Ceremony & Family Weekend with the DMD Class of 2016 and AS Class of 2015. Over 750 guests joined 189 students in the DMD and AS classes for the festivities throughout GSDM and Metcalf Hall on July 5.
The White Coat Ceremony marks the midway point of the students’ education and celebrates their transition from the classroom to the patient treatment center. Students will now be managing the comprehensive oral health care of their assigned patients and providing them with needed treatment in the pre-doctoral fifth and sixth floor Patient Treatment Centers of GSDM.
The day started with student and family tours of GSDM, providing an opportunity for guests to see where the dental students spend their time. Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter and Assistant Dean of Students Dr. Joseph Calabrese greeted and took photos with students, families, and guests on the steps of the School.
That afternoon at Metcalf Hall in the George Sherman Union Dr. Calabrese led the Processionals. He addressed the gathering: “It is my pleasure to welcome our staff, faculty, administration, family, friends, and of course the best dental students in the country to the two-thousand fourteen White Coat Ceremony and Family Weekend. We appreciate you taking the time to fit us into your busy schedule and recognize the dedication and hard work that our students have made to reach this distinct moment in their dental education. A moment frequently referred to as half way to DMD.”
Dr. Calabrese then introduced Dean Hutter, who gave the opening remarks. “That our students have elected to mark this transition in such a formal and solemn manner in front of their families and friends, tells me and my faculty and staff that they are indeed ready for the new challenges ahead,” said Dean Hutter.
After the opening remarks, President of the GSDM Alumni Association Mitch Sabbagh DMD 87 gave the keynote address:
“The white coats you receive today represent your scholastic and technical achievements, earning you the privilege of your patients’ trust as well as the sacred responsibility to administer care skillfully and ethically beyond reproach.”
The students were then presented in groups of three to don their coats. Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Cataldo Leone presented the students to Dean Hutter, while Associate Professor in the Department of General Dentistry Dr. Stephen Dulong read their names as they came onto the stage to don their respective coats.
Several DMD 16 students were then recognized with awards. Matthew Mara, Andrea Lam, Christopher Babalan, and Luri Lee were recipients of the Spencer N. Frankl Scholarship. The American Dental Association Foundation Scholarship was awarded to both Casey Smauder and Andrew Brattain. Finally, the Omicron Kappa Upsilon William S. Kramer Award of Excellence was given to Arielle Curtis.
The students posed for photos following the ceremony and then proceeded to a reception at the Ziskind Lounge. The ceremony was sponsored this year by Crest Oral-B/Proctor & Gamble and the reception was sponsored by the Massachusetts Dental Society.
Photos from the day are available on Facebook and Flickr.