Marking an important milestone in their academic journeys, students in the West Virginia University School of Dentistry Class of 2028 received their white coats during the annual Clinic Induction Ceremony.
The ceremony, which symbolizes the students’ commitment to compassionate and clinically excellent patient care, took place Friday, Sept. 25, at the WVU Health Sciences Center.
“If I were to sum up the significance of today's ceremony, I would say it centers on the four pillars of the American College of Dentists – leadership, ethics, excellence, and professionalism,” Dr. Stephen Pachuta, dean, said. “Today symbolizes your commitment to serve our patients in the clinical practice of our profession. You should always remember that the quality of your caring must be as equally important as the quality of care that you provide.”
The Class of 2028 includes 48 Doctor of Dental Surgery and 21 Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene third-year students. At this point in their course of study, students begin direct patient care at WVU Dental, the clinical practice component of the School of Dentistry, after completing a comprehensive academic curriculum and pre-clinical training.
Keynote speaker Dr. Terry Norris, president of the American College of Dentists, shared advice from his time in dental school.
“Your next two years will be packed full of challenges, studies, volunteer work, and clinical work,” he recalled. “My desire for you is to keep that in the broader spectrum of life. Keep a healthy balance as you finish your schooling.
“You are going to have challenges. You can learn from one another, and you can be an inspiration to one another. When I was in dental school, our class was very united. If it wasn't for my classmates, I would not be standing here today. Everybody worked to help each other, and your faculty is here to do the same thing.”
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 an Oath of Professionalism led by the Student Professionalism and Ethics Association in the Dentistry committee.
Following the presentation of white coats, Dr. Matt Stump, a Class of 2011 graduate and president of the WVU School of Dentistry Alumni Association, closed the ceremony.
“Today marks the transition from learning dentistry to accepting the responsibility of caring for people, and that distinction matters,” he said. “Very soon, someone is going to sit down in your chair, look at you wearing that white coat, and place their trust in you. Never take that trust for granted. It is one of the greatest privileges we have in this profession.
“Years from now, after thousands of patients, countless procedures, and a career that will take you places you can't possibly imagine today, I hope you can still remember what this coat feels like the very first time you put it on. Remember the excitement, remember the responsibility, remember the people in this room, and most importantly, remember the promise you are making today to care for people when they place their trust in you.”
B.S. in Dental Hygiene Class of 2028:
- Giavanna Amoroso
- Rachel Andersen
- Kenzie Bigger
- Linsey Boone
- Madison Brandt
- Abigail Cvechko
- Kylie DeSalle
- Makayla Dion
- Camryn Johnson
- Mary Kalkowski
- Addison King
- Andrew Landsberger
- Audrey McCord
- Shannon McDonagh
- Sierra Menendez
- Kaylee Menjivar
- Isabella Pasquale
- Darsey Pittman
- Melia Privett
- Celia Schifferer
- Natalie Zimmerman
White coats were presented to the dental hygiene students by Amy Funk, MSDH, chair of the Department of Dental Hygiene, associate dean for curriculum, assessment, and faculty development, and professor; Kaitlyn McQuain, MSDH, senior clinic supervisor and assistant professor; and Elizabeth Southern Puette, MSDH, associate professor.
Doctor of Dental Surgery Class of 2028:
- Cooper Albright
- Ghadeer Alqallaf
- Hazem Attal
- John Barkley
- Daniel Bethers
- William Bowen
- Naomi Conger
- Kacey Costlow
- Josie Crawford
- Kansas Crean
- Kaitlyn Crist
- Jacob Estep
- Riley Ferguson
- Ellora Foggin
- Zachary Friend
- Alexx Grady
- Nathan Hazel
- Noah Hunter
- Sheherbano Hussaini
- Camryn Irvin
- Sidney Karnes
- Nathan Kazienko
- Madelyn Lalama
- Megan Mathes
- Grace McCusker
- Ameer Menwer
- Adam Michalski
- Sage Neidbalson
- Matthew Newton
- Nader Nilforoushan
- Lucas Pintirsch
- Jason Plants
- Mary Porter
- William Pugh
- Kaitlin Santmyers
- Abigail Serwinski
- Matthew Skarzynski
- Lauren Snedeker
- William Steen
- Casey Stevens-Washington
- Lindsey Suter
- Jackson Taylor
- Blake Tilley
- Madalyn Valoroso
- Rouba Wehbi
- Christopher Whyte
- Maredith Williams
- Kaitlin Yealy
White coats were presented to the DDS students by Dr. Valerie Perrine, executive dean for education and student affairs and assistant professor; Dr. Lauren Godwin, associate dean for predoctoral education and clinical associate professor; and Team Leaders Dr. Jonathan Abraham, associate dean of admission, recruitment and access and assistant professor; Dr. Tyler Brown, clinical assistant professor; Dr. Michael Mason, assistant professor; Dr. Rodney Powers, interim chair of the Department of Restorative Dentistry and associate professor; and Dr. Alexander Woomer, assistant professor.
The following individuals and groups' generosity provided for the white coats and helped make the induction ceremony possible.
- Almost Heaven Dentistry
- Melissa Amend
- Jackie Bowen
- Dr. Jay Boyd
- Dr. Veronica Brown
- Dr. Victor Canestraro
- Dr. Brett Eckley
- Margaret J. Epperly
- FamilyCare Health Centers
- Christie and Bryan Felts
- Joseph and Sandy Ferguson
- Amy Funk
- Suann Gaydos
- Dr. Mark Gilkerson
- Josey Glover
- Dr. Erik Gompers
- Dr. Gina Graziani
- Donna Haid
- Dr. Michael Hazey III
- Dr. Carson Henley
- Julie Hess
- Drs. Nika Hettlinger and
- Dallas Nibert
- Drs. Ben and Kristie Hiener
- Dr. Mac Hutson
- Dr. Chris Ivanoff
- Dr. Rubinya S. Iyer
- Dr. Daniel Joseph
- Dr. Lawrence J. Kalaskey
- Dr. Katie Kilcollin
- Dr. Garry Lewis
- Dr. Andrea Lockhart
- Dr. Patrick Martin
- Dr. Robert Martino
- Bob and Candy McKane
- Dr. Mike Medovic
- Kim Michalski
- Drs. Moe and Jennifer Momen
- Teresa Morris
- Dr. Lauren Namsupak
- Dr. Morgan Nowery
- Denise and Ken Oseneek
- Dr. Stephen Pachuta
- Dr. John Palmer
- Dr. Donna Panucci
- Dr. Ashley Patnoe
- Drs. John and Valerie Perrine
- Dr. Lance Pittman
- Dr. Rodney Powers
- Tracye Prather
- Dr. Michael Richardson
- Dr. George Shepley
- Dr. Shannon Stevens-McLain
- Dr. Daniel Strinkoski
- Dr. James Szarko
- Dr. W. Christopher Taylor
- Dr. Timothy Tremont
- Dr. Samuel Veltri
- Drs. Ken and Louise Veselicky
- Dr. Robert Wanker
- Dr. Daniel Whyte
- Dr. Travis Wills
- Dr. Joshua Wright
- Dr. Kimberley Zaremba
- WV Academy of General Dentistry
- WVU School of Dentistry Alumni Association
- West Virginia Section of the American College of Dentists
- West Virginia Section of the International College of Dentists
All gifts to support the WVU School of Dentistry are made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University.
Watch the full ceremony on YouTube.
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mb/jw/9/28/26
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