On the afternoon of Saturday, Sept. 6, the 73 members of the Texas A&M Health Science Center Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy's Class of 2011 solemnly processed into the Edward N. Jones Auditorium to receive their white coats-the symbol of clinical service and care. This rite of passage from second-year pharmacy students to patient care providers was publicly acclaimed as faculty, family and friends gathered to show their support.

Indra K. Reddy, Ph.D., founding dean of the HSC-Rangel College of Pharmacy, recognized the second-year pharmacy students, who were required to complete their first year of studies to become eligible to participate in the white coat ceremony.

“Seated before us are the members of the Class of 2011,” Dr. Reddy said. “We are gathered not only to honor these students for successfully completing the requirements to receive the white coat, but also to honor the educational process they will continue to follow.”

Dean Reddy's acknowledgment of family members, spouses and supporters in attendance was met with applause, as they were praised for the sacrifices they have made for students to attend the Rangel College of Pharmacy. Faculty members who were present also received special recognition for the guidance, mentorship, support and wisdom they have shared with the Class of 2011.

Roderick E. McCallum, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs for the HSC and interim dean for the HSC-School of Rural Public Health, offered special remarks regarding the significance of the white coat to the student pharmacist.

“The white coats are symbolic of the professionalism that is expected of the students not only during pharmacy school, but also throughout their eventual practice of pharmacy,” he said. “This ceremony reaffirms the community's support of educational commitment as the students pledge to serve their profession and patients. The white coat placed on each student is more than a familiar lab coat; it is a cloak of competence, communication, caring, character and community-the guiding principles of the Texas A&M Health Science Center.”

_{Dr. Indra K. Reddy, Dr. Roderick E. McCallum and Dr. Robert A. Mengione at the White Coat Ceremony Reception}

Robert A. Mangione, P.D., Ed.D., professor and dean of St. John's University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions in New York City, delivered the keynote address on this day of great pride and celebration.

“The study and practice of pharmacy is a very challenging and often humbling experience,” Dr. Mangione said as he addressed the white coat recipients. “Therefore, you must resolve to do your very best, not just sometimes, but all the time. We know we can only fulfill our promise to our patients if we commit to lifelong learning and possess the courage to apply our critical thinking skills to the best of our ability as we confront the horrors of disease and seek to ease suffering of those who are entrusted to our care. When the hour gets late and you are tired, reach inside and find the strength to continue, and remember, if you do not, who will?”

Instead of offering advice to the future pharmacists, Dr. Mangione asked a favor of them-asking them to touch and provide compassionate care to the fragile things in life: the poor, the homeless, the fearful and the sick.

“Class of 2011, wear your white coat with pride and humility,” Dr. Mangione said. “Each time you put it on, make a personal pledge, say a silent prayer that you will have the knowledge and the strength, the compassion, the conviction and the courage, to do all that you can to be worthy of the sacred trust that your patients will give to you.”

As the students walked on stage to have their white coats placed upon them, some reflected on the realization of the responsibilities that accompany this white coat.

“It is a really big deal to me,” said white coat recipient Jessica Sanderlin. “When I heard the speech today, it meant a lot to me. I never really saw the significance of the power of the white coat and the responsibility that goes along with it.”Sanderlin says she will be taking that new sense of responsibility very seriously as she spends her Monday rotations at a pharmacy in Laredo.

“Before we wore a lab coat, and it wasn't as big of a deal,” Sandlerlin said. “Now that I am wearing this coat, I feel like more of a professional and I have my place there. I'm not just following pharmacists around. I have my place there with duties and responsibilities to take over.”