Class of 2027 Embarks on Clinical Journey
Members of the Class of 2027 receive their White Coats and are ready to see patients in the fall.
On Sunday, August 18 all 137 members of the Class of 2027 gathered with friends, families, and peers to receive their White Coat before the fall semester begins.
The White Coat ceremony is a momentous occasion that signifies the successful completion of the first year of optometry school. The students not only receive a White Coat, but also a letter of clinical privilege designating their ability to pursue clinical placements beginning in only a few weeks’ time.
NECO President and CEO Dr. Howard Purcell greeted the White Coat recipients, along with the rest of the audience, with words of excitement and advice for the students’ next chapter. “Strive to be the best you can be, and strive to always care–I promise you, patients can tell…” shared Dr. Purcell. “Wearing a White Coat symbolizes professionalism, caring, and trust which medical professionals must earn from their patients.”
Students selected a faculty member who they felt best exemplified professionalism, caring, and trust to speak during the ceremony. Dr. Maureen Hanley, Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences and Disease, shared her enthusiasm for and faith in the Class of 2027 as they begin their clinical journey.
“Whether you wear your white coat or scrubs seeing patients, today’s ceremony symbolizes that you have completed your first year of optometric training,” congratulates Dr. Hanley. “You are ready to see patients, to devote yourself to the wonderful profession of optometry. There will be happy times, there will be stressful times when patients are backed up waiting to see you, there will be frustrating times when you want a certain medication for your patient and their health insurance will not pay for it. But as you don your symbolic white coats you will never be bored, everyday you will grow and learn something new.”
Before the students were called to stage, Dr.s Amy Roan Moy and Timothy Bossie shared the Duty of Care that the students will now follow upon receiving their White Coat. Dr. Bossie recalled the ongoing theme that their White Coat represents serving the whole person and taking this responsibility seriously. “Part of our duty as optometrists is to look at the whole patient and their overall well-being,” he shares. “You are part of the bigger picture of keeping this patient healthy both physically and emotionally.”
Dr. Moy echoes this notion of patient-centered care, “Respect the rights and dignity of your patients and their health care decisions. Our patients are individuals who have diverse and unique needs. One management plan does not fit all.” These and other elements to such Duties of Care were laid out in an effort to prepare the students for entering the clinical space.
As Dr. Erik Weissberg took over the microphone, he began to call up each student from the Class of 2027 to receive their Coat. Cheers and applause echoed throughout the space on Commonwealth avenue as each student made their way across the stage. Students smiled and excitedly stood for photos with Dr. Purcell before making their way off stage. The Class of 2027 is now prepared to start their next journey of Optometry school as they eagerly await their clinical assignments in two weeks when the fall semester begins. The entire college applauds this Class on their dedication and empathetic nature as they make their way from the classroom to the exam room in an effort to change the way people see the world.
