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As a healthcare professional, Jean Hartman stood and recited the oath of professionalism at the annual White Coat Ceremony along with the group of incoming students to Salus at Drexel University.
She had just watched her daughter, Kathleen Hartman ‘26OT, receive her white coat, and was experiencing a rush of motherly pride. As for words, though, she was coming up short on how to describe her feelings.
“I’m a speech pathologist . . . and I’m at a loss for words,” said Jean Hartman, pausing occasionally to gather her thoughts. “It’s very emotional that my daughter is following in my footsteps in the healthcare profession and that she . . . wants to help people better their lives.”
The annual white coat ceremony, which represents the students’ entry into their chosen health science professions, is one of the highlights of Orientation Week Aug. 12-16 at Salus/Drexel. There were three separate ceremonies held Aug. 14, 2024, at the Hafter Student Community Center on the Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, campus.
The keynote speaker for all three ceremonies was Salus at Drexel president Michael H. Mittelman, OD ‘80, MPH, MBA, FAAO, FACHE. Also delivering remarks to the students was Elisabeth Van Bockstaele, PhD, Drexel’s senior vice president, chief strategy officer, dean of the Graduate College and founding dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies in the College of Medicine.
The two institutions began the first phase of a merger on June 30, 2024, pending approval by the United States Department of Education, specialized accreditors, and additional third parties. These white coat ceremonies were the first under the Salus/Drexel banner.
“The merger signifies a new chapter filled with promise and opportunities for our students, faculty, and staff,” said Dr. Mittelman. “Today, as you don your white coat, you are not only stepping into the noble profession of healthcare, but also becoming a part of a historic transition. You will carry forward the traditions and values of Salus University while embracing the expansive future that Drexel University offers.”
Dr. Van Bockstaele urged white coat recipients to see themselves as collaborating with peers and professors to diagnose and treat patients; contributing to leading edge interdisciplinary research; availing themselves to interprofessional learning experiences; accessing different types of clinical experiences; and engaging with Drexel Health for continuing professional development.
“In choosing Salus at Drexel to pursue your chosen profession, you will be among the earliest practitioners, researchers and educators to approach healthcare results in better health education, improved patient care and breakthrough healthcare innovations,” she said.
It was a particularly special ceremony for Mitchell Bruce ‘28OD, who had his white coat placed on him by his mother, Lorina Yip, OD ‘95. He’s grown up with a front-row seat watching the impact his mother has had on her patients.
“I’m really proud to be able to carry on the family tradition and hopefully graduate from the same institution that she did,” said Bruce, who is from New Market, Ontario, Canada. “I know it’s going to be a lot of hard work and I’d love to make my mom and my family proud.”
As an alum of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), the founding college of Salus at Drexel, Dr. Yip, who currently works with five other doctors at a practice in Toronto, knows first-hand that her son is going to receive a quality education.
“He’s one of the most compassionate and kind people I know,” said Dr. Yip. “He’s made for this profession. He’s going to have all the tools he needs to become an excellent optometrist leader for our profession.”
She also said placing the white coat on her son was a surreal moment for her.
“It seems like just yesterday my classmates and I were going through the same thing. But it’s amazing. I’m really glad he came to this institution himself without my influence . . . well, without me asking him to,” said Dr. Yip.
Compassion and kindness were also two words to describe Georgia Hight-Schickel ‘28AUD, by her mothers, Susan Hight and Cecil Schickel.
“She’s not just an amazing student, but she’s an amazing person,” said Schickel. “She’s so smart and it never goes to her head. And, she is incredibly compassionate and so kind. We’ve seen that in her since she was a little girl. She’ll always on the look out for the person most in need.”
Hight-Schickel, who hails from the Mount Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia, wants to become an audiologist because she hopes to advocate for people to protect their ears.
“And, as a Type 1 diabetic, I’m really passionate about making sure other people who have medical devices feel confident, embrace their differences and be who they are,” said Hight-Schickel.
After earning her undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Temple University, Hight-Schickel spent two years living abroad in Madrid, Spain, teaching English. She chose to continue her education at Salus/Drexel because it was closer to her family.
“We know how much she’ll bring to healthcare because she’s been on the other side of it. I can’t wait to she what she becomes,” said Hight.
One of the youngest family members to attend the ceremony was 15-month-old Daniela Lynch, who cheered on her father Chris Lynch ‘27O&P as he received his white coat. Daniela’s mother, Paola Lynch, said the toddler yelled “Papa! Yay!” as her dad walked across the stage.
Lynch, from Oakland, New Jersey, whose father is an orthotist, has been involved with the orthotics and prosthetics business for the past 15 years, but is now returning to school to secure his O&P degree.
“We’re so proud of him,” said Paola Lynch. “He’s always had a passion for the profession. Just him making someone’s quality of life better each day is a huge reason why we’re supporting him.”
