CMU PA Students Receive White Coats

Monday, July 21, 2008

Central Michigan University physician assistant class of 2009 celebrated the end of their didactic year and the beginning of clinical rotations during the presentation of the traditional white coat at a ceremony held on Sunday, July 20, in Mt. Pleasant.

More than 150 attendees were welcomed by Dr. Ahmad Hakemi, program director, who said the tradition of the white coat symbolizes not only the transition from studying to practicing, but the serious and purposeful commitment to becoming health care providers. 

Keynote speaker Dr. John E. Lopes, Jr., assistant professor, urged students to listen to their patient's story.  "Compare this story with those you have heard from other patients, colleagues, and the material you studied.  Remember to always keep an open mind, question when things don't seem to fit the mold, avoid stereotyping patients, and treat each encounter as if it were the first."

Students Kerri Prediger and Deanna Baron presented the award for Outstanding Professor to Erin Sherer, Student Role Model Award to Sarah Bauer, and the Amina Tayba Inspirational Student Award to Maureen Frankovich and Stephanie LaGrow.

Following the presentations, students pledged The Oath of the Physician Assistant, lead by Matthew Stack, associate professor.

The PA class of 2009 includes Jenna Aho (volunteer coordinator), Brandi Alspach, Breanna Bailey (MAPA Representative), Deanna Baron (secretary), Sarah Bauer (president), Sarah Bull, Elizabeth Burdick (vice president), Joshua Buskirk, Jonathan Daniels, Matthew Dilllon, Kristy Endebrock, Lindsay Feldt, Maureen Frankovich (historian), Andrew Freeborn, Maya Harp, Kacie Kleinhardt, Joshua Kocha (faculty Liaison), Stephanie LaGrow (Program Director Liaison), Don Laird, Leighanne Larson, Brooke Loewen, Desaree Litwiller, Magdalena Malinowska, Narmada Mantena, Amie Marvin, Jamie Miles, Rachel Miller, Adam Montero (Volunteer Coordinator), Alfredo Navarro (Diversity Representatives), Katie Nierengarten (SLAC Representative), Norman Pedelty (Social Coordinator), Kerri Prediger (Treasurer), Nusrat Qayyum, YunYan Qu (Diversity Representative), Brian Rosenau, Katelyn Saltarelli, Andrea Sarata, Lacey Sirdenis (Social Coordinator), Sarah Starke (External Affairs Officer), Laura Taylor, Jonathan Thelen, Stephanie Wilson, and Julie Wortman (historian).

Photo above right:  Ron Nelson, adjunct professor, presents Adam Montero with his white coat at the 2008 ceremony. 

Photo courtesy of Robert Brown, video production specialist, The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions.