The George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) 2021 Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program White Coat Ceremony looked different than in past years. This past January, the program celebrated the excellence, professionalism, and current achievements of the class of 2023 with a virtual ceremony over Zoom. Family and friends from across the country joined the virtual ceremony to see the students, each front and center on the screen, don their white coats for the first time.
“Spring is a time for new beginnings, renewal, and commitment to the future,” said GW DPT Program Director Ellen Costello, PhD, PT. “I have already witnessed firsthand the dedication and commitment of the class of 2023 as they gracefully navigated their first semester of graduate studies,” she added.
Costello praised the 47 students for their dedication during this difficult year and remarked how these students are “extremely committed, good natured, reasonable, flexible, bright, and most importantly, very kind. These are all of the essential ingredients for a doctor of physical therapy,” she said.
Reamer Bushardt, PharmD, PA-C, DFAAPA, senior associate dean for health sciences at SMHS, congratulated the class on their success and provided words of advice as they headed out on their first part time clinical experience. “Keep an open heart as you go into your clinical experience,” Bushardt said. “Authentic connection with another human being will give you the energy to keep on going.”
Jaisie Stevens, DPT, PT, a rehabilitation coordinator for persons with amputations with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, owner of Abilities Rehabilitation & Wellness, PLLC, and the president of the American Physical Therapy Association D.C. Chapter gave the Excellence Lecture.
Stevens encouraged the students to pause and take a moment to appreciate their accomplishments. “Clap for yourselves for all the hard work and dedication you put in to be where you are today. Clap for yourselves for all the obstacles you have had to overcome. Clap for yourselves because despite being in a pandemic, you have successfully entered a new phase in life. By pursuing physical therapy, you are committing to lifelong learning, service, professionalism and ethical responsibilities to your patients and colleagues,” she said.
Stevens advised students to challenge themselves while also being kind to themselves. She encouraged them to always give themselves room to grow and concluded her lecture with some tips for success. “Find a mentor and let yourself be guided, be open to failure, set boundaries, practice mindfulness, and advocate for yourself and your patients,” she advised.
After the lecture, the members of the class of 2023 took turns slipping their arms into the sleeves of their new white coats and smiling for the camera. “White coat ceremonies symbolically mark the professional journey you are embarking on,” said Joyce Maring, EdD, DPT, chair of the Department of Health, Human Function, and Rehabilitation Sciences at GW SMHS, as she closed out the ceremony. She urged the students to believe in themselves and in their patients, reminding them that “not all superheroes wear capes, many wear white coats.”