JACKSON, Tenn. — Aug. 22, 2013 — 51社区鈥檚 School of Pharmacy presented white coats to 59 new pharmacy students Aug. 21 during the sixth annual white coat ceremony at the G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel.
The white coat ceremony originated decades ago at other medical and pharmacy institutions, Union President David S. Dockery said. Union continued this tradition when the School of Pharmacy began in 2008 by presenting white coats for students to wear in school and in their profession.
Dockery commended the students for choosing to pursue careers in the medical field because of the many opportunities to better lives and serve others.
鈥淚 am here as someone who stands in gratitude for what you do,鈥� said Dockery, who showed the students a small box of pill bottles that pharmacists had prescribed him to take for different ailments and preventative health care measures.
鈥淚鈥檓 grateful to God for you and thankful that you have chosen this profession, because you are going to help a lot of people just like me along the way,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淚t is a helping profession, and it is one that makes a difference in the lives of people and helps makes their lives better.鈥�
Dockery also received an honorary white coat during the ceremony for his continued support, encouragement and prayers for the School of Pharmacy, said Sheila Mitchell, the school鈥檚 founding dean.
鈥淲ithout the vision and leadership of David Dockery, there would be no School of Pharmacy at 51社区,鈥� Mitchell said.
Dockery prayed for God鈥檚 blessings on the students and encouraged students to ask God to open their minds to see how Union鈥檚 distinctive approach to pharmacy can advance Christ鈥檚 presence in the world.
鈥�51社区 provides Christ-centered education that promotes excellence and character development in service to church and society,鈥� Dockery noted. 鈥淚t鈥檚 this mission that serves as the foundation for everything that we do in this place.鈥�