(Edmonton) Bryan Hodgson, first-year student pharmacist couldn't hide his excitement when he waited in line before crossing the stage to receive his white coat amongst his peers.
"In those few quiet moments it really sunk in the whole importance of the evening and everything that I had accomplished to be where I was."
The faculty's annual White Coat ceremony coincided with a year of special significance. The ceremony marked the beginning of his journey to becoming a health care professional and marked the faculty's one-hundredth anniversary at the University of Alberta.
"The presence of the Lieutenant Governor, the Health Minister, the University President and the Dean really cemented the fact that we are in a program that makes us into professionals that have an incredibly important impact on the lives of our patients," said Hodgson.
The distinguished guests offered insight to the students before they received their white coats at the January 30 centennial celebration. Students, their family and friends and faculty members heard from the notable dignitaries who spoke about pharmacists' roles and pharmacy research during the inaugural celebration.
Lieutenant Governor Ethell spoke about the scientific advancements to treat illness and disease and how health care disciplines have taken remarkable steps forward over the past 100 years.
"A pharmacist's work is key to individual and public health. Whether it's care and advice dispensed over a retail pharmacy counter, life-saving medicine delivered in a hospital setting or research that opens a door to new treatments."
The Honourable Fred Horne, Health Minister encouraged the Class of 2017 to make the most of their opportunities and education.
"For one hundred years, since that first class of 14 pharmacy students, this University has prepared generations of pharmacists to be expert and compassionate as front line health care providers and business and community leaders. Make the most of your opportunities, and make your own contribution to the future of this university, your profession and our Alberta."
Captain (Navy) Rebecca Patterson, Commander, Canadian Armed Forces, explained to the audience that the military pharmaceutical care goes beyond our Canadian borders. Their pharmacists provide care during natural disasters, peace-keeping operations and war.
"Our pharmacists require a knowledge not often seen in the civilian world. They have strong clinical knowledge in addition to being knowledgeable about conflict and disaster-related injuries, emergency and intensive care medicine, tropical medicine, and potentially in countermeasures against chemical, biological and nuclear weapons."
President Indira Samarasekera also spoke to the Class of 2017, telling them that they will learn under some of the top pharmaceutical teachers and researchers in the country.
"For 100 years, the faculty has been a leader in pharmaceutical scholarship and research, and in training generations of pharmacists who have gone on to serve across Canada and around the world."
Dr. James Kehrer, Professor and Dean, addressed the first-year student pharmacists before they formally adopted the commitment that would guide their behavior as a student and beyond.
"You have embarked on a four-year journey of professional and personal development. During this time, you will make life-long friends, face and overcome many challenges, and learn a lot about the science and profession of pharmacy, and a lot about yourself. "
As the students filed out of the theatre doors with their white coats Dr. Kehrer also took away a memento from the Honourable Donald S. Ethell: a certificate of thanks in recognition of 100 years of outstanding pharmacy education and research.