Physician Assistant Awards & White Coat Ceremony 2025
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Students in the Physician Assistant (M.P.A.) Class of 2025 celebrated a major milestone on May 15 with the traditional Awards & White Coat Ceremony. This symbolic event is marked by the exchange of short white coats for long ones, signifying transition from students to providers.
Kimberly Dempsey, Ed.D., M.P.A., PA-C (M.P.A. ’03), program director and associate professor, welcomed students and guests to the ceremony, held at the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk.
“You are completing your program at a pivotal moment in our history, as you are the first class of physician assistant students to graduate as part of Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University,” Dr. Dempsey said. “Our integration with ODU is built on Eastern Virginia Medical School’s 50-year history in Hampton Roads. You are inheritors of a legacy of knowledge, compassion and a relentless pursuit of excellence. We know you will carry this legacy forward with vigor and commitment.”
Pooja Patel, M.P.A. Class of 2025, had trouble finding the words to describe the joy of her accomplishments.
“We've worked so hard to get to this moment, and now that we're here I'm speechless," said Patel. "It's like all the moments of my life and all the struggles that we've all gone through have like been leading us up to this moment. It feels like a climax of a story, and I'm looking forward to what's coming in the next chapters."
Many students build bonds that will last a lifetime during their rigorous 28-month training.
“The thing I'm going to miss most about this program is the people,” said Zachary Holowell, M.P.A. Class of 2025. "Those lifelong friendships will continue, but it's going to be tough not seeing them all the time."
During the ceremony, new members were inducted into Pi Alpha, the national PA honor society, including Savannah Cook; Corinne Downum; Brianna Earl; Hannah Elliott; Madeline Hanks; Zachary Holowell; Abigail Kane; Madison Oliver; Pooja Patel; Alexas Swift; Isabella Wralstad; and honorary inductee Natascha Heise, Ph.D., assistant professor of Biomedical & Translational Sciences.
The students will take another significant step in their journey on May 17 as their hard work culminates with the Class of 2025 Advanced Degree Ceremony for Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School and EVMS School of Health Professions at Old Dominion University.