Date:	Aug. 16, 2008
Contact:	Ellen Averill (918) 561-8215

White Coat Ceremony finalizes orientation

TULSA, Okla. — With family and friends looking on, 88 new Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine student doctors were cloaked in medical student white coats at a special ceremony Saturday, Aug. 16, as the final step in their medical school orientation.

Speaker for the OSU White Coat Ceremony was Dr. John Fernandes, dean of the OSU medical school. Others participating were Vivian M. Stevens, Ph.D., associate dean of enrollment management and professor and chair of the behavioral sciences department, Gilbert M. Rogers, D.O., president of the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association, Joan E. Stewart, D.O., M.P.H., associate dean for clinical education, R. Michael Eimen, president of the college’s alumni association, Katie Lee Jones, president of the Student Senate and Trey Thomason, president of the Class of 2011.

College officials cloaked each student with a white coat provided by the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association. After receiving their coats, students recited the Osteopathic Medicine Oath of Commitment, symbolizing their entrance into the osteopathic medical profession. The traditional ceremony emphasizes the importance of the doctor-patient relationship and focuses on the true meaning of the art and science of medicine.

Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences in Tulsa offers programs in osteopathic medicine, biomedical sciences and forensic sciences, with an emphasis on serving rural and under-served Oklahoma.