CSM Celebrates Second Physical Therapy White Coat Ceremony

College of Saint Mary (CSM) celebrated its second Physical Therapy White Coat ceremony on campus on April 1 in Our Lady of Mercy Chapel. The event recognized 32 Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students who will begin the clinical care portion of the curriculum by presenting them with white coats.

“The White Coat ceremony was a beautiful event,” said Dr. Kimberly Varnado, director of the DPT program. “The faculty enjoyed meeting the friends and families of our learners from all over the U.S. It was an honor to meet the communities that have supported the class of 2023, and we look forward to the next journey that will begin later this month as they transition from the classroom to the clinic.”

Dr. Varnado gave the opening remarks. Noelle Price ’23 led the prayer, while Jarrod Russ ’23 delivered the student speech. Dr. Monica Ross, assistant professor for the DPT program, presented the keynote address. The students received their white coats from Dr. Varnado and Dr. Alex Scharmann, co-director of clinical education. Dr. Maryanne Stevens, RSM, president of CSM, provided the closing remarks.

“You are joining a healthcare profession. That is, you are joining a company of healers. Medical people are considered wisdom figures in many societies, as good ones are in ours, and we believe you will be good ones. You will communicate wisdom about healing as well as using our muscles,” Dr. Stevens said. “You have concentrated your studies on helping people adapt and grow stronger given their illness or injury, and your work will take patience and time. Yours is a healing profession. The human body needs healing, not just one body at a time which is how you will be working, but the human body collectively. We are in need of healing, and your education prepared you for this calling.”

The White Coat ceremony is an important ritual in the medical profession that welcomes students into healthcare. The white coat itself represents medical and professional excellence and compassionate care.

This was the second White Coat ceremony for students in CSM’s DPT program, which launched in June 2020. The first cohort graduated in December. Upon receiving their white coats, the students will begin clinical work and start working directly with clients while completing their coursework. They are expected to graduate in December.

CSM’s DPT program offers a hybrid-learning and competency-based model with core faculty certified in online instruction. This allows students to study from the comfort of their own homes while attending onsite program sessions throughout the year.

Doctor of Physical Therapy students

Marissa Amatruda, Guilford, Conn.

Marize Awad, Frisco, Texas

Cynthia Bane, Omaha

Ethan Batchelor, Martin, Tenn.

Zahria Buchanan, Newton, N.C.

Kaitlyn Burns, Saint Joseph, Mo.

Stephen Conner, Gretna, Neb.

Alexis Cornick, Wakefield, Va.

Arabelle Dela Cruz, Honolulu, Hawaii

Logen Harris, Camby, Ind.

Alexa Hernandez, Oak Grove, Mo.

Katie Hopkins, Lincoln, RI

Cole Hurt, Phoenix, Ariz.

Kevin Ryan Johnson, Evans, Ga.

Baily Janssen, Missouri Valley, Iowa

Bailey Klein, Roca, Neb.

Cassie Kulm-Jones, Aberdeen, S.D.

Victoria Lilly, Edmond, Okla.

Brooklyn Linderman, Gretna, Neb.

Michael Matheson, Blaine, Minn.

Trent McMullen, Omaha

Alexandra Muessel, Prague, Neb.

Noelle Price, Missoula, Mont.

Jarrod Russ, Columbia, S.C.

Hannah Shields, Las Vegas, Nev.

Erica Slagle, Minden, Neb.

Jake Stewart, Omaha

Blake Tobin, Milford, Conn.

Madison Walkup, Woodbury, Tenn.

Morgan Weeg, Elk Point, S.D.

Altovise White, Scottdale, Ga.

Megan Elizabeth Young, Germantown, Tenn.