T H E W H I T E C O AT C E R E M O N Y
Welcome Class of 2023!
Class of 2023 re-united at last. You did it!! On April 30th, 2021, the Class of 2023 participated in the White Coat Ceremony, a long-honored tradition that signifies a student’s transition into the clinical years of the pharmacy program. During the ceremony, students wear their white coats to represent their commitment to patient care and recite the “Pledge of Professionalism” to serve the public. The University of Maryland Eastern Shore prides itself on the diversity in our school and the Class of 2023 is no different. Fourteen students are Eastern Shore residents. Additionally, 11 students are firstgeneration college students and over half the class who are minorities. The countries represented are Jamaica, Sierra Leone, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Ghana, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Philippines and Cameroon. Many students reside in Maryland but there are students who come as far as Florida, Delaware and Virginia. The Class of 2023 also have diverse majors represented. Many have backgrounds in education, nursing, medicine, photography, law, and accounting. Before entering our program, students wrote essays reflecting
their interest in the profession of pharmacy. These are some of their comments on how they were inspired to join the profession: • “To me, pharmacy is more than just a job or degree. It is an avenue for me to fulfill a lifelong passion of mine, helping people.” • “I am passionate about making a difference and getting the opportunity to change lives and improve a patient’s overall quality of life.” • “I see pharmacists as an integral part of the healthcare team, and this is one of the areas of pharmacy by which I am inspired.” • “The role of a pharmacist is much more profound than just filling prescriptions, and the roles of many pharmacists go beyond those of primary care physicians.” Entering this program is challenging, intense, and demanding, but it will be worth the effort in the end. The White Coat Ceremony is the first step in the Class of 2023’s journey into becoming future Doctors of Pharmacy. Much success to each of you! Do well! UMES RxTIMES > Spring 2021
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