Daemen honored 18 graduates of the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) program on Saturday, January 10, during a white coat ceremony at Classics V Banquet Hall in Amherst, N.Y.
The ceremony marked a significant milestone for the graduates as they prepare to begin their clinical responsibilities in healthcare.
Dr. Elizabeth Leiser, Assistant Professor of Nursing at Daemen, presented the white coats to each student, after which a significant person in each of their lives—chosen by the students—put their coat on them. The students also received their pins from Dr. Deborah Merriam, Professor of Nursing at Daemen.
“The white coat ceremony symbolizes nurse practitioners’ unwavering commitment to compassion, patient care, and improving the lives of others,” said Veronica Valazza, Interim Department Chair of Nursing at Daemen. “We are incredibly proud to recognize these healthcare professionals whose dedication, ethics, and high standards of practice will enable them to make a profound impact across communities.”
Daemen’s inaugural white coat ceremony for the AGPCNP program was held in January 2022. Program graduates have the option to participate in Daemen’s formal commencement ceremony in May.