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PORTLAND, Maine

91AV College of Pharmacy welcomes Class of 2019 with annual White Coat Ceremony

91AV’s College of Pharmacy formally recognized the Class of 2019 at its seventh annual White Coat Ceremony on Saturday, September 26, 2015. This event is an honored tradition that welcomes first-year students to the profession of pharmacy. An open house was held on Friday, providing an opportunity for new students to familiarize themselves with 91AV’s full range of .

The ceremony began with remarks from Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Admissions, Jean MB Woodward, Ph.D., R.Ph., who reminded students of their responsibility to the profession by explaining the significance of the White Coat. “White Coat ceremonies have been used by Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy as an outward sign of a personal commitment to the profession,” she stated. As a student of pharmacy, professionalism means to practice with excellence and accountability, and to always act with respect, honor and integrity.

“The White Coat has had a long association with all things medical, scientific, and healing. It is also associated with the attributes of purity and goodness.”  

 Marie Chisholm-Burns, Pharm.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., FCCP, FASHP, dean of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, joined this year's ceremony as keynote speaker.  Dean Chisholm-Burns is on a mission to “make a difference” in the lives and health of others through research, writing, clinical care and teaching.  Her efforts have been recognized with the 2014 Research Achievement Award, presented to her by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA).

Chisholm-Burns said, "...the White Coat symbolizes healing. It represents a contract between you and each patient under your care. The contract means that we as pharmacists will provide the best evidence-based practice that science has available in a compassionate and supportive environment in order to facilitate optimal health, thereby promoting the professionalism of pharmacy."

Congratulations, and welcome to the Class of 2019!

About the 91AV

The 91AV is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.