Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Bradenton continued its White Coat ceremony tradition
for the Class of 2012.
The white coat ceremony is a tradition upheld by medical schools
across the nation as an initiation for aspiring health care professionals to commit to the highest
principles related to the practice of osteopathic medicine and pharmacy. The ceremony marks a
first-year medical students' transition from classroom study to clinical education.
Ninety-six LECOM School of Pharmacy Bradenton students and 148 students from the College of
Osteopathic Medicine received their white coats.
The class of 2012 took their
respective oaths in front of family, friends, LECOM faculty, staff and administrators.
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| James Lin, D.O., M.S., speaks
to the LECOM Bradenton Class of 2012 during White Coat ceremonies at the Harvest Centre on Jan.
24. |
James Lin, D.O., M.S., addressed
students and family members during the college of osteopathic medicine ceremony. Dr. Lin graduated
from LECOM in 2002 and was among the first graduates of the Master of Science in Medical Education
program.
Dr. Lin is Vice President of Senior Services and Adult Living at Millcreek
Health Systems in Erie, Pa., and clinical professor of geriatric medicine at LECOM. Dr. Lin also
will coordinate the Institute for Successful Aging at the LECOM Medical Fitness and Wellness
Center, which is slated to open in February.
His passion for working with the elderly
population evolved while taking care of his father, who was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2003.
“While I was taking care of my Dad I realized that they (elderly) are a vulnerable
population," Lin said. "It is now my honor and privilege to take care of them on a daily
basis. I am honored and blessed that I am leading LECOM in its Institute for Successful
Aging."
Robert George, D.O., Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, led the Class
of 2012 in the Osteopathic Pledge of Commitment.
Norm Tomaka, CRPh, President of the Florida
Pharmacy Association, gave the keynote address at the pharmacy white coat ceremony.
Tomaka is certified as a licensed health-care risk manager and consultant pharmacist. He currently
practices at 15 outpatient procedure centers and serves as the clinical and consultant pharmacist
at Holmes Regional Medical Center/Health First Inc. in Brevard County Florida.
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| Norm Tomaka, CRPh., gave the
keynote address at the LECOM School of Pharmacy Bradenton White Coat ceremony. |
“For student pharmacists, you are embarking on a journey to
empower yourselves to improve the lives of your patients,” Tomaka said. “As
Florida’s youngest school of pharmacy, you have already surpassed expectations. You will
succeed in promoting preventive medicine and be ready to exceed the expectations of today’s
health-care consumer.”
School of Pharmacy Dean Gary Levin, Pharm.D., BCPP, FCCP,
led the class of 2012 in the Pledge of Professionalism.
John M. Ferretti, D.O.,
President and CEO of LECOM and Silvia Ferretti, D.O., Provost, Senior Vice President and Dean of
Academic Affairs, headed the list of faculty and staff in attendance.
Special guests
at the College of Medicine ceremony included American Osteopathic Association President Carlo
DiMarco, D.O., who spoke at the ceremony; and William Silverman, D.O., AOA Board of Trustees and
LECOM Bradenton’s Adopt-A-Campus representative; Anna Hayden, D.O., President of the Florida
Osteopathic Medical Association; and Mario Lanni, D.Sc., LL.D, Executive Director of the
Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association.
School of Pharmacy guests included Cristina M.
Medina, Pharm.D, Manager of Professional and College Relations for CVS Caremark Pharmacy.
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