Students in the West Virginia University School of Dentistry Class of 2027 received their white coats during the annual Clinic Induction Ceremony held Friday, Sept. 5, at the Health Sciences Center.
Marking an important milestone in their academic journeys, the ceremony symbolizes the students’ commitment to compassionate and clinically excellent patient care.
“If I were to sum up the significance of today's ceremony, I would say that it centers on leadership, ethics, professionalism, clinical excellence, and service,” Dr. Stephen Pachuta, dean of the WVU School of Dentistry, said. “It is about a commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care and patient-centered service.”
In his remarks, Dr. Pachuta focused on ethics and moral courage as he welcomed the students to the start of clinical practice.
“Moral courage, simply put, is that gap between knowing what to do ethically and actually doing it. For some, ethics is a spectator sport, and folks simply hope that their team or their position will win. Getting in the game and actually making a difference to the outcome requires moral courage, especially in healthcare.
“So, to the Class of 2027, and to all who serve our profession, I charge you to find the moral courage and to engage. When you do, you'll make a difference in the lives of those entrusted to our care.”
The Class of 2027 includes 48 Doctor of Dental Surgery and 21 Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene third-year students. At this time in their course of study, students apply the foundational knowledge and techniques they’ve learned and observed in the classroom, simulation lab and clinic as they begin working directly with patients at WVU Dental.
During the ceremony, each student received a white coat embroidered with their name and a personal note of encouragement in the pocket from the individual or group who sponsored the white coat. The students also joined in an oath of professionalism led by the Student Professionalism and Ethics Association in Dentistry executive committee.
Keynote speaker Dr. Nika Hettlinger, WVU alumna and president of the West Virginia Dental Association, asked the students to consider ‘moments’ along their journeys.
“This ceremony represents more than just a transition,” Dr. Hettlinger said. “It represents an opportunity, a moment, an appropriate time to pause, reflect, and acknowledge this next phase of your training and development as a healthcare professional.
“At WVU, this moment also recognizes the distinct relationship between hygienists and dentists, working side by side for the oral health of our patients. Dentistry is stronger because of the collaboration, teamwork, and appreciation for each other.”
Following the presentation of white coats, Dr. Michael George, president of the WVU School of Dentistry Alumni Association, closed the ceremony by reflecting on his education and career.
“At the WVU School of Dentistry, it's much more than just teeth,” Dr. George, said. “It's about learning how to change lives. Some days are going to challenge you, and many days are going to inspire you, and all of this will shape you into the dentist you're meant to become – all the moments that fill you with the purpose and the pride of knowing that you have made a difference.”
B.S. in Dental Hygiene Class of 2027:
- Lesleigh Ball
- Alexandra Bishop
- Hillary Claycomb
- McKenzie Fritz
- Chelsea Haught
- Hailey Keith
- Avrielle Kelley
- Sara Lipowski
- Peyton McClure
- Lexie Patrus
- Brooke Pyles
- Alissa Rizo
- Kailey Shifflett
- Bethany Sims
- Jordan Sinclair
- McKenzi Smallwood
- Ezran Swanson
- Allison Turnbull
- Morgan Wills
- Brooke Wood
- Maddison Yoho
White coats were presented to dental hygiene students by Amy Funk, chair of the Department of Dental Hygiene; Ashlee Sowards, professor and junior clinic supervisor; and Kaitlyn McQuain, assistant professor and senior clinic supervisor.
Doctor of Dental Surgery Class of 2027:
- Hawraa Al Qassab
- Munirah Aldaihani
- Abdulmalek Alsayegh
- Dana Alyousef
- Ahmad Bakri
- Alex Banks
- Caroline Cartwright
- Adrian Coalson
- Laiken Cook
- Kristen Crowder
- Alidaad Daneshvar
- Paige Dixon
- Lisa Eller
- Fady Ghoul
- Julia Gianni
- Kaiden Hammer
- Grant Harman
- Abigail Hayes
- Anderson Hill
- Sahil Hira
- Jonathan Hung
- Kara Jalufka
- Fatmah Jarkhi
- Cameron Kimble
- Lachlan Kipps
- Benjamin Kurtz
- Donald Ludwick
- Akansh Mani
- Jessica Mansy
- Katherine Marks
- Taylor Martino
- Evan McCray
- Parker Miller
- Maryum Muzaffer
- Cathryn Myer
- Derek Ngo
- Haydar Qassem
- Nicole Sacco
- Cooper Sanders
- Charles Simpson
- Karissa Spokane
- Hannah Stapleton
- Daniel Sturgeon
- Lauren Wagner
- Joshua Wagoner
- Ryan Weimer
- Aaliyah Williams
- Danielle Wydick
White coats were presented to DDS students by Dr. Valerie Perrine, executive dean for education and student affairs, and team leaders Dr. Jonathan Abraham, Dr. Lauren Godwin, Dr. Lora Graves, and Dr. Rodney Powers.
The following individuals and groups generosity provided for the white coats and helped make the induction ceremony possible.
- Dr. Everett Bowling
- Dr. Jay Boyd
- Dr. Victor Canestraro
- Dr. Greg Crews, Dr. Dallas Nibert and Dr. Nika Hettlinger
- Dr. Sharon Crowder
- Dr. Brett Eckley
- Margaret Epperly
- FamilyCare Health Centers
- Amy Funk
- Dr. Michael George
- Dr. Anna Giles
- Dr. Lauren Godwin
- Donna Haid
- Dr. Michael Hazey III
- Julie Hess
- Mac Hutson
- Dr. Chris Ivanoff
- Dr. Daniel Joseph
- Dr. Katie Kilcollin
- Dr. Miranda Kimble
- Dr. William Klenk
- Dr. Garry Lewis
- Dr. Guy Mason
- Drs. Moe and Jennifer Momen
- Dr. Morgan Nowery
- Dr. Stephen Pachuta
- Dr. Ashley Patnoe
- Dr. John Perrine and Dr. Valerie Perrine
- Dr. Lance Pittman
- Kista Powell
- Dr. Rodney Powers
- Tracye Prather
- Dr. Joshua Pruden
- Elizabeth Puette
- Dr. Michael Richardson
- Dr. George Shepley
- Dr. Kerri Simpson
- Ashlee Sowards
- Dr. Daniel Strinkoski
- Dr. Lorena Surber
- Dr. James Szarko
- Dr. W. Christopher Taylor
- Dr. Earnest Trent
- Dr. Joseph Vaughan
- Dr. Gerard Veltri and Dr. Samuel Veltri
- Drs. Ken and Louise Veselicky
- Dr. Robert Wanker
- West Virginia Section of the American College of Dentists
- West Virginia Section of the International College of Dentists
- Dr. and Mrs. S. Bryan Whitaker
- Dr. Daniel Whyte
- Dr. Travis Wills
- Dr. Joshua Wright
- WVU School of Dentistry Alumni Association
To sponsor a white coat for future events, visit the WVU Foundation website.
Watch the full ceremony on YouTube.
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CONTACT: Jessica Wilmoth
Director of Marketing and Communications
WVU School of Dentistry | WVU Dental
