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Washington State University, College of Veterinary Medicine Welcomed the Class of 2008 to the Veterinary Medical Profession at the
Sixth Annual Convocation also known as the White Coat Ceremony on Friday,
August 20, 2004.
History of the White Coat Ceremony
The White Coat Ceremony, established by Dr. Arnold Gold at Columbia
University Medical School in 1993, was designed to impress upon students,
physicians and the public the important symbolic role of the white coat in
patient-doctor interactions. Gold argued that students were reciting the
Hippocratic Oath four years too late-upon their graduation from medical
school. He felt the oath and the conferring of white coats would be better
done at the start of medical school, when students receive their first
exposure to clinical medicine. The White Coat Ceremony provides a mechanism by
which values that are key to our profession can be openly articulated and
carefully considered in the company of peers, parents, partners and faculty.
The College of Veterinary medicine has sincerely embraced
the spirit of this exercise. You will find that our ceremony has been
appropriately modified for veterinary medical students. It includes an
induction into the Veterinary Medical College, whereupon each student will
receive a coat, generously donated by the Idaho and Washington State Veterinary
Medical Associations. As a group, the students recite the “Veterinary
Student Oath”.
The Veterinary Student Oath
At the time of being admitted to the Veterinary Medical College at Washington State University, I solemnly pledge:
- To consecrate my life to the service of both animals and humanity;
- To give my teachers, staff and classmates the respect that is their due;
- To conduct myself at all times with conscience and dignity;
- To always provide comfort and compassion to teaching and client animals left in my care;
- To maintain the honor and noble traditions of the veterinary medical profession;
- To avoid considerations of religion, nationality, race, politics or social standing to influence my relationships with teachers, staff, classmates, or clients;
- To never use my veterinary knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity;
- I make these promises sincerely, freely and upon my honor.
Dignitaries
- Dr. Warwick
Bayly, Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine
- Dr. Gilbert Burns,
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
- Dr.
Richard DeBowes, Chair, Veterinary
Clinical Sciences (VCS)
- Dr.
David Prieur, Chair, Veterinary
Microbiology and Pathology (VMP)
- Dr.
Bryan Slinker, Chair, Veterinary and Comparative
Anatomy, Pharmacology and Physiology (VCAPP)
- Dr.
Clive Gay, President, WSVMA,
Washington Veterinary Medical Association
- Dr. David
Rustabakke, Representative, IVMA,
Idaho Veterinary Medical Association
- Dr.
Judith Slocombe, Keynote Speaker
- Dr. George Barrington, Chair CVM Curriculum Committee
- Dr. Dale Hancock, Chair CVM Admissions Committee
- Dr. Dave Schneider CVM Student Progress Committee
Keynote Address: Dr.
Judith Slocombe
Dr. Judith Slocombe is the Group General Manager, Pathology in The
Gribbles Group, a major provider of analytical and pathology laboratory
services. Judith’s journey has been rich and rewarding. After traveling
the world with her husband and children, Judith’s family returned to
Australia. She decided to start a small veterinary pathology business
from home. Battling limitations surrounding her equipment and service
delivery, Judith knew her business could grow considerably if she had
access to the sophisticated diagnostic equipment and services available
at established human pathology centers. Judith took her idea directly to
the key human pathology businesses in Australia, and by developing a
totally new business model, grew her small business into the largest
veterinary diagnostic group in Australasia. Judith also realized not
only was she establishing a state of the art laboratory, but also she
was moving into a massive logistics business. With a lot of hard work,
Judith developed a hugely successful veterinary pathology business that
has seen an annual growth rate of 30% and now employs over 200 people
with laboratories throughout Australia and New Zealand. In 2001, Judith
sold her business to The Gribbles Group. In the same year, her
dedication and vision earned her Australia’s most highly regarded award
for women in business, the Telstra Australian Business Woman of the
Year. Judith later graduated with an MBA from the Melbourne Business
School in June 2002, and in 2003 was awarded the Centenary Medal.
Judith’s transition from small business owner to senior corporate
manager was complete when she was appointed as head of the major human
pathology division of the Gribbles Group. She now manages a business
with an annual revenue of $140 million and over 2000 employees. Dr
Slocombe is married to Professor Ron Slocombe, Chair of Veterinary
Pathology at the University of Melbourne, and has nine children. She
believes the inspiration and support she receives from her family have
been fundamental to her success.
CVM Curriculum Committee - The Curriculum Committee is charged
with designing, implementing, revising, and maintaining the sequence of
pre-clinical and clinical educational experiences that comprises the
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program. Student representatives
from each of the OSU and WSU classes, as well as faculty representatives
from the three college departments, serve on this committee.
CVM Admissions Committee - The Admissions Committee is
responsible for thoroughly evaluating the hundreds of applications sent
to WSU from around the world each year. Specific academic and
non-academic criteria are used to select applicants who the committee
believes will be able to successfully complete our rigorous,
science-based veterinary curriculum and possess the qualities of a good
veterinarian.
CVM Student Progress Committee - The Student Progress Committee
makes recommendations to the Dean in all areas related to students’
progress through the veterinary curriculum including promotion,
remediation, probation, dismissal, and graduation.
The pianist was Dr Margaret Brink, PhD, Department of Music
A reception followed the ceremony.
Sponsored by:
Hills Pet Products
WSVMA
IVMA
Other White Coat Ceremonies
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