University of Manitoba: Dentistry Opening Assembly and White Coat ceremony (Class of 2022 and 2024)

University of Manitoba: Dentistry Opening Assembly and White Coat ceremony
Thursday October 8th, 2020
https://news.umanitoba.ca/um-welcomes...

UM welcomes new class of future dentists and dental hygienists
THE DR. GERALD NIZNICK COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY AND SCHOOL OF DENTAL HYGIENE OPENING ASSEMBLY AND WHITE COAT CEREMONY WAS HELD VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM THIS YEAR.

The Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry‘s Opening Assembly has taken place annually since the late 1950s, but this year was unique.

The Opening Assembly and White Coat ceremony was held virtually via Zoom. When students from the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry and the School of Dental Hygiene slipped on their white coats for the first time yesterday, they were all participating from home.

While the event’s format was different, the message from Dr. Anastasia Kelekis-Cholakis, dean of the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, remained the same.

“The white coat they will don tonight will be a symbol of what the profession and society will expect of them,” Kelekis-Cholakis said during her opening remarks. “Students, wear your white coat with pride but also with an understanding of what your responsibilities are.”

Mary Bertone, director of the School of Dental Hygiene, said that although the ceremony looks a bit different this year it is an important tradition.

“This is a ceremony to take the time to look forward with pride to your studies and the career you’re about to embark upon, and what a time to start that journey,” Bertone remarked in her welcome to the dental hygiene students. “These are novel times and collectively we are facing the greatest, most impactful public health crisis of our lifetime.”

The ceremony featured 10 speakers, including Dr. Michael Benarroch, UM president and vice-chancellor, Dr. Brian Postl, dean of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences and vice-provost (health sciences), Dr. Marc Mollot, president of the Manitoba Dental Association, and Dr. Laura MacDonald, past president of the Manitoba Dental Hygienists Association.