White Coat Ceremony

Monday night my classmates and I received our white coats! This means that we are at the stage in our education that we are moving into the clinical setting, as we spend this year learning skills to care for our future patients.

Why a white coat? The back of our program for the ceremony summed it up best: "White was chosen with good reason as the new standard of the medical profession. White represented purity and is a visual reminder of the physician's commitment to do no harm. White represents goodness, cleanliness, symbolizes seriousness of purpose, and represents a cloak of compassion. Likewise, the white coat reminds optometrists of their professional duties to practice their art in honor. The white coat, as one of healthcare's most important symbols, signifies that a doctor's responsibility is not only to treat the patient, but also to care for patients well-being. Today, the White Coat is the universal symbol of the health profession."

We were able to invite a few guests, so my parents and Jesse's parents came. They are all so supportive of us! While looking over the photos, I just realized I only started out in this world with one of the four of them, but am so blessed to have each of them in my life.

And of course, my main squeeze (or, as he likes to be known, my sugar daddy). There are not enough words allowed in this post to express his love, support, and patience for the last... 10 ten years (literally), as I've worked toward this goal of optometry.

And while my whole class is amazing, these three girls here help me keep my head on straight. I don't think I could make it through without them!

The Interns Pledge

With full deliberation I freely and solemnly pledge that:

I will practice the art and science of optometry faithfully, conscientiously and to the fullest extent of my ability.

I will uphold and honorably promote by example and action the highest standards, ethics, and ideals of the optometric profession.

I will provide professional care for those who seek my services, with compassion and due regard for human rights and dignity.

I will hold as privileged and confidential all information entrusted to me by my patients.

I will place the treatment of those who seek my care above personal gain and strive to see that none shall lack for proper care.