(Miami Shores, Fla. --) “The white coat that you are wearing elicits trust, respect, and care, “advised Carmen Queral Fox, MPH, PA-C, clinical coordinator for the Barry University Physician Assistant Program (BUPAP) to the BUPAP Class of 2006 who have successfully completed their first year of didactic studies. The PA students were honored, October 7, 2005, at the Broad Auditorium, six weeks after hurricane Katrina postponed the originally scheduled Rite of Passage ceremony.
The white coats presented to the students have been recognized since the middle of the 19th Century as the attire of the medical profession. Students are now wearing the coats in clinical practice sites ranging from Camillus House for the Homeless in Miami to Pioneer Medical Center in rural Wauchula County in Central Florida.
Queral Fox served as the keynote speaker and in an inspiring address she told the PA students that they “are the heart of the white coat. The practice of medicine truly revolves around the care of the patient and the secret of quality care is CARING for the patient,” she added.
According to Dr. Doreen C. Parkhurst, assistant dean and PA program director “Hurricane Katrina reminded us that as we go about our lives thinking we are in control – we are humbled by nature. Meeting death and disease is humbling too. So as you are ready to practice medicine, remember you will impact thousands of patients and their families during your career,” she said.
The PA program has made impressive progress since its inception in the fall of 1997. The Program received its full national accreditation in 1999 and five year re-accreditation in 2002. It is the only PA program in Miami awarding the Master’s degree. This white coat ceremony was the 8th annual event.
The PA Class of 2006 made a class donation of $350 to the PA Emergency Fund and $250 to the PA Endowed Scholarship Fund.
The ceremony honored outstanding students including: Kasandra Aneses, Sara Blum, Michelle Maxson, James Moran, Jessica O’Brien, Matthew Johnson, Carlisa Doria, Diane Bell, Letitia Price, Susan Rice, Autumn Ziobert, and Laura Walsh, who were each awarded the $2,500 Dean’s scholarship for academic excellence. Three additional scholarships were presented: The Dr. Drew Feinerman Memorial Scholarship for $500 to Julia Dawson, president, Class of 2006 for her demonstrated leadership capability and commitment to community service; the Catherine Margaret Parkhurst Memorial Scholarship of $250 to Sherissa Chang-Williams for her demonstration of compassion and sensitivity; and the Carolyn Parkhurst Rosser Scholarship for $250 to Susan Compton for her demonstration of strong moral and ethical character.
Narrated by Richard D. Ball, PA-C, PhD, associate director of clinical education, the ceremony acknowledged the sacrifices the PA students have endured in their preparation to become competent, compassionate and caring PA’s.