Pharmacy to Host 19th Annual White Coat Ceremony

The School of Pharmacy will mark the first year of professional study for its third-year students during its annual White Coat Ceremony on Sunday, May 9, at 11 a.m. at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse. In total, 128 student pharmacists will receive their white coats, including 112 during the in-person ceremony.

The students will be presented with the white coats that they will wear during their laboratory and experiential education. They also will receive a School of Pharmacy pin and recite a pledge of professionalism at the event.

Interim Pharmacy Dean Dr. James Drennen will present the white coats to the students. Associate Pharmacy Professor Dr. David Zimmerman, advisor to the class of 2024, will lead the pledge of professionalism.

Dr. Jonathan Ogurchak, founder and chief executive officer of the pharmacy information management platform STACK, will be the keynote speaker. He is a 2009 Pharm.D. graduate of the pharmacy school. President of the Pharmacy Alumni Association Dr. Dominic Bertucii also will deliver remarks.

Masking, social distancing and contact protocols will be in place.