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SLU-Madrid Marks 11th Annual White Coat Ceremony

by Isaiah Voss

Saint Louis University-Madrid honored the Class of 2028 nursing students on Nov. 26 during the University's 11th annual White Coat Ceremony in Viña Aula 1. The event marked the students' transition from classroom study to clinical practice.

The ceremony opened with a welcome from John Longeway, M.S.N., RN, PMHNP-BC, professor of nursing at SLU-Madrid. An invocation was delivered by James O'Leary, S.J., the campus chaplain.

Leaders from the Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing in St. Louis delivered remarks via Zoom, including Dean Kris L'Ecuyer, Ph.D., RN, and Associate Professor Karen M. Cuvar, Ph.D., RN.

Henrietta Buckley, M.S.N., RNC-MNN, professor of nursing at SLU-Madrid, introduced the ceremony's featured speaker, Kathryn Winenger, RN, B.S.N. Nursing students Gianna Celli and Diana Veitkus, both members of the Class of 2028, also spoke during the program.

Students with white coats on are reading off pamphlets together in front of an audience. The logo of the University is on the screen behind them. A sign on the wall reads "Higher purpose. Greater good."

Nursing students recite the Health Professions Covenant in Viña Aula 1. Photo by Ángel García.

Tania de la Fuente, Ph.D., director of the Health Science Program, presented the white coats. Buckley, Longeway and Martha Nelson, Ph.D., M.P.H., RN, assisted with the cloaking.

Rector William P. Johnson, J.D., led the pinning portion of the event and delivered remarks of appreciation to the students.

The ceremony concluded with the recitation of the Health Professions Covenant, emphasizing professional competence, collaboration and a commitment to serving individuals and communities. 

Nineteen students from the Class of 2028 participated in this year's ceremony.