Inaugural Class at NYITCOM at A-State Receives White Coats

Photo: Student Zakia Ali receives her white coat.

The first class of medical students from New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro (A-State) received their white coats at a ceremony where they pledged a commitment to lifelong learning, the osteopathic profession, and the delivery of quality healthcare.

In front of a crowd of more than 800 people, NYITCOM faculty members, guest physicians, and physician-relatives of several students proudly helped the new class members into their coats as they strode across the stage at A-State’s Riceland Hall.

“I’m just so excited and thankful to be here on this day, and I’m so blessed,” said Shelby Armstrong, 22, of Fayetteville, AR, one of 120 students who will begin classes on Monday. “I’m just floored by the education I know we’re about to receive.”

NYITCOM at A-State is the second medical school in Arkansas and the product of three years of planning and collaboration by the two universities and a host of community partners. In June, A-State’s historic Wilson Hall was rededicated to serve as the new medical school site, with high-tech classrooms, labs, and lecture halls. The white coat event capped a week of orientation activities.

“The white coat you receive today is a visual reminder of the physician’s commitment to do no harm, and of your promise to bring a patient-centered, hands-on, and compassionate approach to the practice of medicine,” said NYIT President Edward Guiliano, Ph.D. “Now and into the future, do demonstrate the physician’s empathy and ability to listen as being crucial to patients’ health,” he continued. “Consider every case and (future) patient an opportunity to learn and establish a connection with a person who has sought your professional expertise, but who yearns to be heard and respected.”

Barbara Ross-Lee, D.O., NYIT vice president for health sciences and medical affairs and founding dean of the new NYITCOM location, noted that the transformational vision of A-State and NYIT, along with support from local healthcare professionals and government leaders, led to the location’s successful opening and ability to respond to healthcare needs in the state and region.

“Today we celebrate this important and historic moment,” she said. “Today is their day, their first step in the transition from students to medical professionals. We share your pride in each and every one of them—we can all be proud together.”

Many of the members of the inaugural class hail from the Delta region (Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee); nearly 20 come from nearby Illinois and 14 are A-State graduates.

“It’s very humbling that someone saw something so great in myself and others so that we’re able to embark on this journey,” said MaKayla O’Guinn, 20, an A-State graduate and one of 70 Arkansas residents in the inaugural class. “It’s an honor having that white coat put on you and being able to represent a larger group of people—doctors.”

Prior to the coating, Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs Shane Speights, D.O., presented public service medals to A-State Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Jason Penry, Ph.D., and St. Bernards Healthcare President and CEO Chris Barber. The honor recognizes their community advocacy and support of healthcare workforce development and healthcare administration, respectively.

 “We came to the conclusion we could make a difference with this partnership,” said Penry, referring to the collaboration that began with discussions between the two institutions. “The entire time, everyone said, ‘We can do this,’ and ‘let’s move forward.’ And we did move forward and that brings us to today…We’re going to make a difference.”

Barber praised NYIT and A-State for their “tireless commitment to make this happen,” lauded the students for their hard work and determination, and asked them to thank their mentors and family members for support and inspiration.

At the end of the ceremony, NYITCOM Dean Wolfgang Gilliar, D.O., administered the student oath and advised the students to embrace the coat as a symbol for a healthy doctor-patient relationship.

“Make the white coat your professional business card—a three-dimensional moving communication piece that reflects you in the best possible way as a competent, confident, compassionate physician-to-be,” he said. Ultimately, when the students graduate medical school, they will receive larger coats. Their responsibilities as doctors, Gilliar noted, will also grow, and the coats will continue to serve as a meaningful symbol as they move into their professional careers.

Learn more about NYITCOM at A-State.