Waterloo Pharmacy welcomed the class of Rx2027 to the profession of pharmacy at the annual White Coat Ceremony on May 13, 2024.
The white coat tradition stems from the medical school’s ceremonies and has become a symbol for many medical profession programs. Our students are inducted into the pharmacy profession by receiving their white coat from practicing pharmacists and swearing a pledge of professionalism.
Hallman Director Andrea Edington emceed the event and invited speakers from the Waterloo Pharmacy community and wider organizations to the stage.
Though this pharmacy program will be challenging, you will leave armed with a powerful set of skills. As a Waterloo graduate myself, I can attest to the fact that Waterloo instills the spirit of curiosity and innovation in its students. You'll graduate with the ability to think critically, the desire to question the status quo and the confidence to apply your unique knowledge to solve real-world problems.
Accepting the white coat is a symbol of the trust patients place in the hands of medical professionals. Our students take on the responsibility that comes with this trust.
The event’s speakers included:
- Andrea Edginton, Hallman Director, Waterloo Pharmacy (MC)
- James Morrison, Chair of the Board of Directors, Ontario College of Pharmacists
- Jen Belcher, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & Member Relations, Ontario Pharmacists’ Association
- Andrea Wist, President, CSHP- Ontario Branch, Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists
-
Danielle Paes, Chief Pharmacists Officer, Canadian Pharmacists Association
- Hannah Bauer, President, Society of Pharmacy Students (SOPhs), Waterloo Pharmacy
- Kaitlin Bynkoski, Director of Admissions & Undergraduate Affairs, Waterloo Pharmacy
Rx2027 students at the 2024 White Coat Ceremony
Students were inducted by members of the Waterloo Pharmacy community. This year pharmacists, alumni, faculty and staff volunteered as robers:
- Dani Thomas - Rx2018, Clinical Pharmacist, Preston Medical Pharmacy
- Areen Duqoum - Rx2018, Pharmacist, St. Joseph’s Healthcare
- Melanie Gillison - Clinical Pharmacist, St. Mary’s General Hospital
- Sherry Peister - Pharmacist, National and Provincial Organizations
- Kaitlin Bynkoski - Rx2014, Director of Admissions & Undergraduate Affairs, Waterloo Pharmacy
- Ken Manson - Experiential Coordinator, Patient Care Rotations, Waterloo Pharmacy
- Cynthia Richard - Clinical Lecturer & Associate Director, Curriculum, Waterloo Pharmacy; Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Policy, University of Waterloo Faculty of Science
Thank you to all the speakers, alumni, faculty and staff. We are also thankful to the parents, friends and family members who attended and supported their students.
This event was made possible with the support of the Ontario Pharmacists Association.