Students in College of Pharmacy's inaugural class to don white coats and take oath on Sept. 6

Students attending Roosevelt University’s new College of Pharmacy will put on their white coats and take the oath of the pharmacist during Roosevelt University’s first-ever White Coat Ceremony being held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6 at the Renaissance Hotel, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg.

A time-honored tradition for the pharmacy profession, the White Coat Ceremony formally marks the beginning of one’s entry into the field of pharmacy. It typically is held prior to the start of clinical rotations, which begin for Roosevelt’s inaugural class of PharmD students on Friday, Sept. 9, and continue throughout the unique three-year, year-round program.

Dr. Phil Burgess, chair of the Illinois State Board of Pharmacy, will be the keynote speaker for the event. Students will be led through the American Pharmacists Association’s official oath by Dr. Janeen Winnike, director of field recruiting for SUPERVALU Pharmacies, Inc., and founding member of the College of Pharmacy’s Professional Council.

“The white coat that is worn by a pharmacist is meant to serve as a beacon for those who are seeking someone they can trust for knowledge, guidance and expertise about medications, their uses, side effects and outcomes,” said George MacKinnon, founding dean of Roosevelt’s College of Pharmacy, which opened its doors in July.
 
“The College of Pharmacy’s patient-centered curriculum is preparing students to become all that the white coat symbolizes, and that is to be not only trustworthy and successful, but above all, to be committed, competent and compassionate in all their actions,” he said.

During the ceremony, the 66 members of the college’s inaugural class will be coated by their faculty advisors who are part of the College of Pharmacy’s new 26-member faculty and staff team. 

The media is invited to attend the University’s first-ever White Coat Ceremony. For more information, contact Laura Janota, 312-341-3511 or call 847-330-4500.