Mercy College Physician Assistant Students' White Coat Ceremony

Mercy College of Ohio’s inaugural class of Physician Assistant students is moving from classroom-based learning to blossoming professionals in the clinical world. This milestone was marked with a White Coat Ceremony on Friday, August 12.

PA student Rachel Trouten says, "The white coat ceremony symbolizes being one step closer to pursuing my passion of practicing medicine and improving the lives of those in my community."

The donning of the white coat marks the students’ transition into the clinical phase of their education. It represents professionalism, compassion, and healing. As the Class of 2023 embarks on the clinical year, wearing their white coat is the first physical symbol of their journey to becoming the best PAs they can be.

The White Coat Ceremony is an iconic ritual that emphasizes compassionate, collaborative, scientifically excellent care from the very first day of training in the healthcare professions highlighting the importance of humanism in all care of patients.

Dawn LaBarbera, PhD, PA-C, Program Director and Professor of the Physician Assistant Program, says, “We have had the great honor to see amazing growth in this group of students over this past year and are happy to celebrate this achievement with them.”

The ceremony included an address by Richard Paat, MD, FACP, Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine. Dr. Paat was selected to address the students in recognition of his commitment to service, providing medical care at area free medical clinics, treating area unhomed individuals, and around the world in response to disasters.