Eighty-three student pharmacists will recite the Oath of a Pharmacist at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy’s (DKICP) white coat ceremony in the UH Hilo Performing Arts Center on October 12. The event, which takes place from 2-4 p.m., is open to the public.
The ceremony signifies the rite of passage for students entering their first year in the professional program to affirm their commitment to the values of their profession, including professionalism, respect, integrity and compassion. Distinctive to Hawaiʻi’s ceremony is when each student receives the traditional flower lei as they enter the stage to recite the oath in front of fellow students, faculty and staff, community supporters and family.
The keynote speaker will be Sherry Bracken, news reporter for Hawaiʻi Public Radio and producer and host of Island Issues, a weekly interview program on LAVA 105.3 FM and KKOA 107.7 FM. The students will also be addressed by UH Hilo Chancellor Donald Straney and DKICP Founding Dean John M. Pezzuto as well as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Edward Fisher.
Four new pharmacy residents who are working on Oʻahu and already have their PharmD will be recognized along with the PharmD candidates. Beginning first-year residencies at Pacific Mental Health are Goldie Leh and Michelle Kim. Beginning second-year residencies are Lehua Kay in Mental Health Psychiatry at Hawaiʻi State Hospital and Barry Nakaoka at The Queen’s Medical Center.
