Physician Assistant White Coat Ceremony

White Coat Ceremony

The White Coat Ceremony is a symbolic rite of passage for students of the healing arts. For the physician assistant student, it signifies a professional relationship with other colleagues who provide healthcare services. This ceremony reaffirms the medical community’s support of the educational process that prepares future health providers for practice. On this day, students pledge their commitment to the physician assistant profession and the health of the patients they serve. Contributing to the care and healing of others is a privilege and a responsibility. The White Coat worn by each physician assistant student is more than a familiar lab coat: it is a cloak of caring, compassion, and service.

Ceremony Program (PDF)

Physician Assistant Oath of Commitment

I pledge to perform the following duties with honesty and dedication:

• I will hold as my primary responsibility the health, safety, welfare and dignity of all human beings.
   
• I will uphold the tenets of patient autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence and justice.
   
• I will recognize and promote the value of diversity.
   
• I will treate equally all persons who seek my care.
   
• I will hold in confidence the information shared in the course of practicing medicine.
   
• I will assess my personal capabilities and limitations, striving always to improve my medical practice. 
   
• I will actively seek to expand my knowledge and skills, keeping abreast of advances in medicine. 
   
• I will work with other members of the health care team to provide compassionate and effective care of patients.
   
• I will use my knowledge and experience to contribute to an improved community.
   
• I will respect my professional relationship with the physician. 
   
• I will share and expand knowledge within the profession.
  
  These duties are pledged with sincerity and upon my honor.