On February 17, New York Tech's Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Class of 2024 gathered for a ceremony where 34 students received white coats. The awarding of a white coat is a symbolic gesture, welcoming students into the profession as they begin their clinical rotations.

Future physicians from New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine's (NYITCOM) Class of 2022 have matched into U.S. military residencies. After medical school, physicians must complete a residency training program and obtain a medical license to practice in the United States and become board certified in a specialty. Medical residencies last three to five years for primary care physicians, with other specialties requiring additional years. While the "civilian" match will take place in March, medical students who have committed to military service for their residency are matched a few months earlier. These future physicians will take the military oath of office at NYITCOM's hooding ceremonies this spring and begin their graduate medical education in conjunction with service to their country. Physicians enlisted in the military deliver healthcare services to military personnel and their families and work in a variety of settings, including hospital ships and international medical centers, among others. Much like civilian doctors, their daily responsibilities include treating patients, diagnosing illness, and prescribing medicine. Military physicians may also participate in international relief and humanitarian efforts, helping to care for the victims of natural disasters and other events requiring medical stability assistance.

In August, hundreds of first-year New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) students received their first white coats and began medical school training as members of NYITCOM's Class of 2025. Learn more about the White Coat ceremonies for the medical school's two locations: NYITCOM-Long Island (Old Westbury, N.Y.) and NYITCOM-Arkansas (Jonesboro, Ark.).

On May 20, New York Institute of Technology's Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program recognized members of the Class of 2021 with a hooding ceremony. Hooding ceremonies are a rite of passage celebrating the completion of students' training as they graduate and pursue careers as physical therapists. New York Tech's physical therapy program began as a bachelor's degree program in 1998, with the institution graduating its first class of Doctors of Physical Therapy in 2003. In addition to exceptional board exam pass rates, the program also now boasts an impressive 100 percent three-year employment rate. Graduates have been employed by Montefiore Medical Center, Northwell Health, NYU Winthrop Hospital, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, among other noteworthy employers.

On May 19, 58 nursing students from New York Institute of Technology's Class of 2021 were welcomed into the profession with a virtual pinning ceremony. Nursing school pinning ceremonies are a rite of passage celebrating the completion of students' training as they graduate and go on to pursue careers as RNs. Despite its virtual nature, the event followed traditional pinning ceremony practices, with the soon-to-be nurses reciting the Nightingale Pledge. Named after Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, the pledge is a statement of the ethics and principles of the nursing profession. The Class of 2021 also took part in the traditional candlelight ceremony to commemorate Nightingale and her efforts to aid wounded soldiers by candlelight during the Crimean War.

On October 23, students in New York Institute of Technology's nursing program received their white coats. The Nursing White Coat Ceremony signifies the transition from classroom learning to clinical learning, and represents a formal welcome into the nursing profession. It is held each fall semester of the students' junior year, before beginning their first clinical experience in health facilities.

NYITCOM at Arkansas State University (NYITCOM at A-State) medical students recently received their white coats, a rite of passage signifying the official start of medical school. The White Coat Ceremony was held on August 10th in the Fowler Center on the A-State campus.

In a recent ceremony, NYITCOM students from the Long Island (Old Westbury) campus received their white coats, a rite of passage signifying their official start in medical school.