College of Pharmacy class of 2024 receive their white coats

April 27, 2023
Large group of Pharmacy students wearing white coats wave their hands in celebnration.

Members of the University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy class of 2024 ham it up for a photo after the college’s white coat ceremony at Centennial Hall on April 21.

The University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy class of 2024 celebrated their transition from academic coursework to advanced clinical training during the annual white coat ceremony in Centennial Hall on Friday, April 21.

During the ceremony, 107 students received their white coats from faculty members. These students have completed their third year of academic course work and will begin clinical rotations for their final year. Members of the class of 2023, who will graduate in May, then led the group in reciting the Oath of Professionalism.

Mobeen Moslem, PharmD, a 2013 alumnus of the Coit College of Pharmacy and the director of pharmacy and retail operations for the Walgreens Co., based in Southern Arizona, was the keynote speaker. He spoke of the value and importance of the pharmacy profession and encouraged the class of 2024 to "advocate, lead and change how the pharmacist role interacts with other health care professionals."

"We cannot afford for you to not be involved," Dr. Moslem said. "We will need all of your voices and diversity of thought to continue reproving what the practice of pharmacy should look like in years to come." 

Dean Rick Schnellmann, PhD, shared the importance of empathy, compassion and cultural competency. “You will be expected to provide care to patients of diverse backgrounds and unique health care needs,” he said. “Treat every patient with respect and dignity and strive for cultural humility and sensitivity.” 

Six young women stand side-by-side outside with white coats draped over their arms.
Five men and women Pharmacy faculty members wearing white coats standing side-by-side smiling.
A young Asian man with a big smile is presented with his Pharmacy white coat.
Three female Pharmacy students are presented their white coats by faculty members standing behind them on a stage.
A young woman in a head scarf is presented her white coat by a faculty member standing behind her.
Three female Pharmacy students are presented their white coats by faculty members standing behind them on a stage.
Two women wearing Pharmacy white coats smile as the younger woman puts the coat on.
Two young women and two young men in white pharmacy coats stand in front of a microphone reading from cards they are holding.
Dozens of pharmacy students wearing white coats stand on a stage reading from cards in their hands.
A yong woman and man wearing pharmacy white coats stand next to each other smiling.
A young woman wearing traditional Native American clothing and beeded crown stands with a woman in a white pharmacy coat smiling.
Three pharmacy students wearing white coats, a male and two females, stand next to each other smiling.
A young man and woman in pharmacy white coats smile and side-hug.
An Asian man in a pharmacy white coat holds a young girl in a red dress wearing a necklace of dollar bills. Both are smiling.
A young Asian woman in a pharmacy white coat stands with her father in a medical white coat, both smiling.