Western University of Health
Sciences College of Dental Medicine (WU
CDM)
Class of 2027 students donned white coats for the first time and learned about
the powerful role they will play in their patients’ lives.
WU
CDM
held its white coat ceremony Aug. 11, 2023, at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
Claremont in Claremont, CA.
WU CDM Dean Elizabeth Andrews, D.D.S.,
M.S., urged students to not take their professional oath lightly.
“You do hold a patient’s
health and well-being in your hands,” said Dr. Andrews. “Treat these patients
like a family member. Treat each patient as you would want to be treated. As I
shared with you on Monday, you must ensure that all patients receive optimal
patient-centered care. You are becoming an oral health care provider. Wear that
white coat with pride and all that you have accomplished, and you will be
rewarded greatly.”
WU CDM Associate Professor
Sahar Mirfarsi, D.D.S., spoke on behalf of organized dentistry. She said her
involvement in multiple dental associations and organizations helped her find
her dental home, connected her with mentors and taught her about legislation
and public policy.
“Your involvement in
supporting organized dentistry plays a significant role in our dental
profession and the future of our health care system. We need each other,” said
Dr. Mirfarsi. “It is through holding hands, reassurance and guidance and
education that we ensure the future success of our profession. Let’s all
collaborate and collectively contribute to the betterment of oral health and
patient care because through our contributions, collaborations and support
through organized dentistry we continue to be the driving force behind progress
and advocacy in the dental profession.”
WU CDM alumna and Adjunct
Clinical Assistant Professor Asma Patel Jan, D.M.D., Class of 2017, who served
as the keynote speaker, told students that she sat in their seat 10 years ago
at her own white coat ceremony. She started her career as an associate dentist,
then became an owner dentist and boss.
“I’m still growing and
learning and figuring out the struggles as I go, but along all of these
pathways throughout your whole dental career, you will have a support system,
and that support system is in this room today,” said Dr. Patel Jan. “You will
have your classmates, who are sitting right next to you. You will have your
family, that is here supporting you today. But you will also have this network
of faculty and alumni at WesternU looking out for you. I am 10 years from my
white coat ceremony and my faculty and colleagues are here and they still give
me advice on dental cases and help me make business decisions. This profession
is about lifelong learning, and this school embodies that in each of their
graduates and it embodies that in each of their faculty members.”
WU CDM Associate Dean for
Patient Care and Clinical Education Brent Fung, D.D.S., talked about the
privileges that come with wearing a white coat, as well as the
responsibilities.
“By now you already know that
at Western University of Health Sciences, humanism is a core concept along with
caring and science. It reminds us that we are in fact the same as those we
serve, who deserve the same respect and dignity we would expect for ourselves,”
said Dr. Fung. “Future dentists, please don’t believe that because you are not
a medical doctor that you won’t have the power of life and death over others.
You will have that power, the power to save lives by detecting oral cancer,
diabetes or hypertension. The power to save a patient from a fatal drug
interaction, perform life-saving resuscitation or eliminate potential deadly
oral infection from an organ transplant patient. The power to save someone from
a life of depression and misery by giving them a smile they’re proud to share
with others. A means of enjoying life-sustaining nutrition, or maybe an
opportunity for a good or even better job.”
By donning the white coat,
each student bears the responsibility to devote their life to serving others, a
life of study, selflessness, ethical behavior and excellence.
“We hope that your white coat
becomes a symbol not only of your expertise and professionalism, but more
importantly, of your humanism,” said Dr. Fung. “We wish you all the very best
as you begin your journey into this wonderful profession of dentistry.”
Welcome Week has been an
adrenaline rush, and preparing for classes to start on Monday is like waiting
for your turn on the roller coaster and finally getting in that seat, said
Babajide Aina, a first-year WU CDM student. His interest in dentistry started
as an undergraduate, and he then shadowed a local dentist to learn the nuances
of running a dental office. WU CDM was his top choice.
“I knew from my interview I
truly felt like the faculty and staff truly want us to be successful,” said Mr.
Aina. “Our success is their success.”
Welcome Week was very informative,
and it helped students get to know each other, said Breana Cortez, a first-year
WU CDM student. Donning the white coat for the first time will be meaningful to
her and to others who look up to her as a role model.
“I’m going to feel fulfilled,
like I truly made it,” said Ms. Cortez. “I want to show other people in the
Hispanic community they can do it, too.”
About Western University of Health Sciences
Western University of Health Sciences (www.westernu.edu),
located in Pomona, CA and Lebanon, OR, is an independent nonprofit health
professions university, conferring degrees in dental medicine, health sciences,
medical sciences, nursing, optometry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical
therapy, physician assistant studies, podiatric medicine and veterinary
medicine. WesternU is home to WesternU
Health, where the best in collaborative health care services is
offered.
This story, along with a photo gallery, is available on our
WesternU
News website.
Courtesy of Western University of Health
Sciences College of Dental Medicine
Published on September 13, 2023