Students Participate in White Coat Ceremony

Members of the PT Class of 2012 marked their transition from classwork to full-time clinical internships by participating in a White Coat Ceremony on Thursday, May 12, 2011 in Mabee Theater on the Rockhurst campus.

The White Coat Ceremony is a ritual in many physical therapy schools that marks a student's transition from the study of preclinical to clinical health sciences. The ceremony typically involves a formal "robing" or "cloaking" of students in white coats, signifying their transition from the basic science and academic portion of their education to their clinical studies.
 
In his brief remarks to open the program, PT Department Chair Brian McKiernan, PT, PhD, stated, "The white coat signals a transition, but it is a symbol of transformation." Reflecting on the two years of classwork that the students had already completed, he observed that, "Having gotten a good handle on the science of healing you will now be given your white coat and challenged to learn the art of caring."

After receiving their white coats, the Class of 2012 recited the Model Oath for Physical Therapy (adopted by the APTA Section on Education in February 2004):

"As I enter the profession to practice as a physical therapist, I solemnly and willingly pledge the following:

• I will respect the rights and dignity of all individuals and will provide compassionate care.
• I will be trustworthy towards my patients and clients and in all other aspects of physical therapy practice.   
• I will place the welfare of my patients and clients above my own self-interest.
• I will provide accurate and relevant information to patients and clients about their care and to the public about physical therapy services.
• I will exercise sound judgment and comply with laws and regulations that govern physical therapy and protect the public from unethical, incompetent, and illegal acts
• I will maintain professional competence and promote high standards for physical therapy practice, education, and research.
• I will address the health needs of society and strive to effect changes that benefit patients, clients, and the community.
• I will respect the rights, knowledge, and skills of colleagues and other health care professionals and seek consultation whenever the welfare of the patient or client may be advanced.

Thus, with this oath, I freely accept the responsibilities that accompany the practice of physical therapy."

Rockhurst PT Class of 2012