New Class Takes White Coat Pledge

On the morning of Friday, June 28, 2024, the Class of 2027 gathered at the Capitol Theater in Salt Lake City to begin their dental school education by participating in Roseman’s annual white coat ceremony.

The white coat ceremony has become a tradition in many medical professions. It is a rite of passage in which new medical professionals are outfitted in their first white coat before embarking on their journey of formal clinical study and practice.

The ceremony began with a greeting from Dr. Rachel Novak, Associate Dean for Enrollment and Student Success, and a moving performance of the national anthem by Dale Hoopes, administrative assistant to the associate dean of oral healthcare education.

Then, Roseman University President, Dr. Renee Coffman, addressed the starting class. “We are very pleased and proud to see the Class of 2027 here starting their journey as professionals,” she said. “We are happy to support and help them along the way as they plan for—three years from now—walking across this stage one more time and getting their hoods.”

Following Dr. Coffman’s remarks, Dental Student Association President, Claire Reily (Class of 2025) congratulated her new peers on their remarkable achievement of getting into dental school. “You worked so hard to get to this point,” Claire said. “You put forth the effort and it shows, now more than ever. Your white coat offers you a sense of satisfaction and understanding that you are going to be a dental professional after just three short years.”

She explained that though their journey to this point had been an individual one, moving forward they would have help. “While this journey might have its ups and downs,” she said, “know that you won’t have to do it alone. We are all here to support one another and it’s amazing how much we can accomplish when our peers are right there with us, every step of the way. Like a family, we will have each other’s backs.”

Then, keynote speaker and President of the American Dental Association, Dr. Linda Edgar, inspired and encouraged the new students. “There’s nothing that gives me more pleasure than seeing the future of our organization and our profession right out there in front of me,” she said. “You’re going to bring us a bright future!”

She continued, “Any one of you, sitting out there, could be standing up here behind this podium [someday]. It’s really all about dedication and hard work.”

To illustrate her point, Dr. Edgar shared an experience from her first quarter in dental school that made her consider withdrawing. Looking for advice, she reached out to the dean. “[He] said to me, ‘If you do not continue, there will be many patients that will not benefit from you being their dentist.’” This advice to focus on her end goal, rather than her present inadequacies, had a lasting impact on her life.

“When I share my story … what I really mean to relay to you is [this]: remove the words can’t and impossible from your vocabulary. Because you can do anything you set your mind out to do if you work hard enough to do it,” she concluded.

After Dr. Edgar’s address, Dr. Jeremy Godderidge, Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs and Patient Care, provided a brief history of the white coat ceremony and shared with students what they could look forward to during their time at Roseman.

“Our students and faculty provided care at more than 52,000 patient visits last year,” he explained. “To put that into perspective, our venue today holds more than 1,800 people. We could fill this venue more than 28 times with the patients we see at the school every year. During your time here you will make a big difference in our community and touch many lives.”

Then Alicia Baddley, director of enrollment and student success, invited the students to join the administration on stage and receive their white coats. After each student had donned their coat and returned to their seat, Dr. Clark Dana, Associate Dean of Oral Healthcare Education, administered the white coat pledge.

Dean of the College of Dental Medicine, Dr. Frank Licari, closed the ceremony with these remarks, “The road ahead may be challenging but with perseverance, dedication, and a passion for oral healthcare, you will succeed. All of us are here to guide and support you every step of the way. We hope that your educational journey is filled with growth, achievement, and fulfillment and we are all looking forward to everything that you will accomplish during the upcoming three years.”

The ceremony can be viewed in its entirety on Roseman University’s YouTube page.

The Class of 2027 is comprised of 140 students coming to Roseman from more than 90 different colleges and universities. Collectively, they speak 26 different languages. Please join us in welcoming them to the College of Dental Medicine!