SUWANEE — More than 200 students with the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine campus in Suwanee received their white coats in an online ceremony Dec. 29, 2020.

The white coat ceremony is a right of passage for medical students and signifies their entrance into the medical profession.

The 211 students included 139 Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine students, 40 Doctor of Physical Therapy students and 32 Physician Assistant Studies students who are earning a Master of Science in Health Sciences.

“By donning the white coat, your world shifts to putting the patient first, a priority that must never waver throughout your professional career,” Jay S. Feldstein, PCOM president, said during the ceremony. “When you put the patient first, everything else takes care of itself.”

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Provost Kenneth Veit called the event “particularly meaningful at a time when the members of our professions face unique challenges as frontline workers during a pandemic.”

Established in 2005, PCOM Georgia is a private, not-for-profit, accredited institute of higher education dedicated to the health care professions. The Suwanee campus is affiliated with the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and offers doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy and physical therapy and graduate degrees in biomedical sciences and physician assistant studies.

— Staff Reports