College of Pharmacy class of 2025 receives its white coats
University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy third-year students celebrate outside Centennial Hall after leaving their white coat ceremony.
The University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy class of 2025 celebrated its transition from academic coursework to advanced clinical training during the annual white coat ceremony at Centennial Hall on April 19.
During the ceremony, 128 students received their white coats from faculty members. The students have completed their third year of academic coursework and will begin clinical rotations for their final year. Members of the class of 2024, who will graduate in May, then led the group in reciting the Pledge of Professionalism.
The keynote speaker for the ceremony was 2008 alumna Brianne Spaeth, PharmD, who is the owner and pharmacist-in-charge of Desert Life Pharmacy in Saddlebrooke, Arizona. She emphasized the importance of focusing on patient care.
“As the owner of a community pharmacy, I’ve seen firsthand the value and impact you can have on your patients when you prioritize patient care. Not a good pharmacist but a great pharmacist takes the time to truly know your patients, understand their situation and help them live longer, healthier lives,” Spaeth said.
“Sometimes that means calling a doctor’s office back to confirm a dosage or directions that don’t seem quite right, or just lending an ear when someone needs to talk. Sometimes it can be hard to stop and take a minute when we are all so busy, but you’d be surprised at the impact even a few minutes can make.”
College Dean Rick Schnellmann, PhD, spoke of the symbolic significance of the white coat presentation to the students.
“As you change into your white coat and change your focus from learning in the classroom to learning in the community setting, look for opportunities to change your profession for the better,” he said. “Seek out opportunities to lead, take the initiative and trust yourself to make the change you want to see. Stay curious, stay resilient and wear your white coat with pride.”
(From left) Jackie Li, Scott Proschek, Nariman Ahanj, Julia Halloran and Olivia Robida flash the Wildcat sign as they wait backstage at Centennial Hall for the UArizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy 2024 white coat ceremony to begin.
Rick Schnellmann, PhD, dean of the UArizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, visits with Ashley Campbell, PharmD, an associate clinical professor, backstage at Centennial Hall as they prepare for the college’s annual white coat ceremony.
(From left) Third-year students Esmeralda Torres, Angel Sebastian, Vini Vyas, Katherine Torrez and Breanna Cesare are all smiles as they wait backstage at Centennial Hall for the Coit College of Pharmacy 2024 white coat ceremony to begin.
(Center) Ny’Kol Turner leads her UArizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy third-year class of PharmD students into Centennial Hall for their white coat ceremony.
About 1,700 family and friends came to Centennial Hall to celebrate and cheer on the UArizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy third-year PharmD students at their white coat ceremony on April 19.
Jeannie K. Lee, PharmD, associate professor and associate dean of student services in the UArizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, welcomes about 1,700 people to Centennial Hall for the college’s annual white coat ceremony.
Third-year UArizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy student Krizten Ortiz (center) is presented with her white coat by Erwin Lam, PharmD, a clinical instructor, during the college’s annual white coat ceremony at Centennial Hall.
Members of the UArizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy class of 2025 are presented their white coats during a ceremony at Centennial Hall.
(Center) Etornam Doe smiles at Kathryn Matthias, PharmD, an associate clinical professor, after putting on her white coat at the UArizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy annual white coat ceremony.
Rayshion Nezy is presented his white coat at the annual UArizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy white coat ceremony.
(From left) Jude Sammani and Jordanne Koulong, both third-year UArizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy students, take in the moment after being presented their white coats at the college’s annual white coat ceremony at Centennial Hall.
(Left) Fourth-year UArizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy students lead more than 100 third-year students in a pledge of professionalism after they received their white coats in the college’s annual ceremony at Centennial Hall.
(From left) Kristen Amalie Root and Natalie Hart, both third-year PharmD students, celebrate as they leave Centennial Hall after receiving their white coats at the UArizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy ceremony.
(From left) Pharmacy student Tkiya Langendorf gets a hug from Nancy Alvarez, PharmD, the associate dean of academic and professional affairs – Phoenix in the UArizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, after the college’s annual white coat ceremony.
(From left) Etornam Doe and Maryann Leviyev, both third-year PharmD students, celebrate as they leave Centennial Hall after receiving their white coats at the UArizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy ceremony.
(From left) Rashil Yalda, Jessie Fidani, and Nataliya Bozhko, all third-year PharmD students, take a selfie outside Centennial Hall after the UArizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy white coat ceremony.
(From left) Jude Sammani, Ashley Rogers and Nora Sammani, PharmD, celebrate after Jude Sammani and Rogers received their white coats at the UArizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy annual white coat ceremony. Nora Sammani, a 2023 PharmD graduate of the college, is Jude’s sister.
Breanna Cesare gets a kiss from her daughter, Abigail, after the UArizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy white coat ceremony.
(From left) Linda Abada, Rahiq Al Dulaimi, Rana Ganem and her sister Diana Ganem celebrate after the UArizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy white coat ceremony outside Centennial Hall.
Members of the UArizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy class of 2025 gather for a photo after receiving their white coats at the college’s annual white coat ceremony.