White Coats, Kind Hearts, Caring Hands

>> April marks a time of change in the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Not only is the season changing, but also the focus of studies for the third-year class.
The students in the class of 2012 were welcomed to the next phase of their education during
the 11th annual White Coat Ceremony, the main event of the College’s Kind Hearts, Caring
Hands Day held April 8.
>> DR. FINGLAND: White Coat Ceremony is the celebration of the completion of the first
three years of veterinary college and the transition to the clinical training year,
which is the fourth year . . . and it’s a special time when a student gets to put
on the white coat for the first time. But it’s a very important thing for them to
consider, that is, now they have responsibilities for patient care that they didn’t have in
the first three years.
>> Donning the white coat represents an important turning point in a veterinary student’s
medical training.
>> ANDREA LANG: It finally feels like I’m going to be a vet . . . instead of just sitting
in a classroom. It’s exciting to finally go into the clinics and practice hands-on
medicine.
>> JULIA ROQUE: To me, it’s like a transition, you go from, I think, more of a student to
more of a clinician . . . and finally learning the applicable things, the, taking what we’ve
learned and then putting it towards treating animals, treating patients, you know . . . it’s
a blessing, I think, and a privilege to be wearing one.
>> To emphasize the importance of the White Coat Ceremony, the College of Veterinary Medicine
organizes an all-day celebration known as Kind Hearts, Caring Hands Day.
> DEAN RICHARDSON: Kind Hearts, Caring Hands Day is a day that we conceived of 11 years
ago to celebrate teaching and learning . . . It’s a day where we can just really focus on the
students, on the learning environment and the families that help make that happen.
>> The day opened with an all-college breakfast called Bagel Bonanza, followed by tours of
the college and teaching hospital, classroom demonstrations for visiting family and friends,
and the annual quiz bowl, where veterinary students have their knowledge tested..
>> Dr. Alan Kelly, Dean Emeritus from the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University
of Pennsylvania, delivered an all-school lecture about the role of veterinary medicine in food
security and global health. While Dr. Kelly was visiting the college, he was invited to
meet with college faculty as one part of series of master planning events being conducted
this year to enhance the future of the college.
>> The Kind Hearts, Caring Hands day ended with the Senior Honors Banquet, where more
than $100,000 in scholarship awards were distributed to senior veterinary students.
>> For some veterinary students, having family and friends involved in the celebration made
the day even more special.
>> KATRINA JUNG: It’s a wonderful feeling, it’s amazing for family to be here and friends
. . . when they’re here, it makes everything that much greater, makes it more significant.
>> Though earning the white coat results in more challenges for the veterinary students,
it also brings them one step closer to their goal of becoming veterinarians.
>> JULIA ROQUE: It will be very exciting and, again, something different. That’s what
we’re all pretty stoked about, just to get out of the classroom and actually get their
hands on some animals and start working with, you know, anti-biotics and remembering things,
so taking what we’ve learned and finally remembering, oh, that’s what it’s for,
that what I’m really excited for.
>> JULIE ROQUE (at ceremony): I acknowledge my obligation to support and sustain the honor
and integrity of the veterinary profession as symbolized by the coat that I now wear.
I make this pledge freely and upon my honor.
>> APPLAUSE, CHEERING