Class of 2020 to recite oath of pharmacist at UH Hilo White Coat Ceremony

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
Contact:
Alyson Kakugawa-Leong, (808) 932-7669
Dir, Media Rel, University Relations
Posted: Sep 15, 2016

Eighty student pharmacists will be addressed by an influential pharmacist who has held top posts in the Obama administration at this year’s University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy (DKICP) White Coat Ceremony on October 16 in the UH Hilo Performing Arts Center. The event, which takes place from 2-4 p.m., is open to the public.

Rear Admiral (RADM) Scott Giberson will be the keynote speaker at DKICP’s 12th annual event. He is the former U.S. Assistant Surgeon General and Chief Pharmacy Officer, a position where he managed more than 1,150 government pharmacists. RADM Giberson is currently Deputy Director of the Office of Human Capital in the Office of Human Capital within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 

As recipient of the 2013 American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Award of Excellence, he maintains dual licensure as a pharmacist and clinician, having earned a bachelor's degree in pharmacy from Temple University. RADM Giverson also has a master's degree in public health from the University of Massachusetts, and a graduate certificate in Health Emergencies in Large Populations. He received an Honorary Doctor of Science from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine for his body of work on improvement of patient and health-system outcomes through health professional collaboration.

The ceremony, where new student pharmacists recite the Oath of a Pharmacist, signifies a rite of passage for individuals entering their first year in the professional program. Students will be cloaked with a short white coat symbolizing their student status and the values of the profession. 

Three pharmacy residents who have earned their Doctor of Pharmacy degrees are continuing their training with DKICP faculty on Kaua`i and O`ahu. Beginning first-year residencies are Byrce Fukunaga and Aryn You, and starting a second-year residency is Nicole Young.

Four new Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences students Md Samiul Huq Atanu, John Jacob, Sasha Kovacs, and Kh Ahammad Uz Zaman also will be recognized for beginning their journey in pharmacy research. 

Ka Haka `Ula O Ke`elikolani College of Hawaiian Language will perform the mele ho’okipa, or welcoming chant, Ua Ao Hawaiʻi. 

The students also will be addressed by UH Hilo Chancellor Donald Straney and DKICP Dean-designate Carolyn Ma. 

The event is sponsored by Walgreens. Hayley Park, regional healthcare director, will speak on behalf of Walgreens.