UNMC College of Medicine welcomes 123 new medical students into medical school during White Coat Ceremony

The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine recently held its annual White Coat Ceremony to welcome 123 new medical students in the Class of 2008. The ceremony is a rite of passage into the profession for medical students beginning their careers in health-care.

The ceremony is focused on professionalism, which encompasses ethical behavior, compassionate care and service to others. Students recite an oath then don their first white coats during a ceremony that symbolizes a transition into the field of medicine.

About 450 students, family members and friends attended the ceremony sponsored by the College of Medicine Alumni Association.

During the ceremony, College of Medicine Dean John Gollan, M.D., presented a speech on professionalism and Robert Wigton, M.D., associate dean for graduate medical education, presented a history of the college. Gerald Moore, M.D., associate dean for curriculum, UNMC College of Medicine, Anne (Kathy) Morse, M.D., president of the College of Medicine Alumni Association, and Hadley Sharp, third-year medical student, presented the white coats to students.

Following are the hometowns and names of the students.

AINSWORTH – John A. Steuter
AYR – John D. Franzen
BEATRICE – Laura B. Butler and Megan M. McGuffey
BELLEVUE – Joseph K. Costello and VaKara M. Meyer
COLUMBUS – Joseph J. Citta and Jewelia D. Grennaan
CRETE – Jesse L. Chrastil
DEWITT – Justin Allan Cramer
ELKHORN – Kyle J. Ringenberg
FORT CALHOUN – Mark E. Kusek
FREMONT – Christine L. Larsen, Deborah M. Luiken, Lucas V. McKnight, Evan C. Pike, Christopher J. Smith and Abbie K. Sorensen
GORDON – Anpo W. Charging Thunder
HARVARD – Leif E. Tobler
HASTINGS – Michael A. Eigenberg
HOLDREGE – Cameron R. Murphy
IMPERIAL – Kari M. Yaw
KEARNEY – Andrea L. Mack and Nathan W. Murdoch
LAKESIDE – Jason R. Lee
LINCOLN – Christopher L. Baumbach, Andrew Berlowitz, Mark R. Burt, Jeffrey S. Davis, Erin M. Dukich, David A. Erickson, Erin J. Frerichs, Christopher J. Frey, Amy L. Fuglei, Nathan S. Gollehon, Andrea G. Gomes, Kevin T. Grosshans, Nicholas E. Heiser, Jonathan R. Henning, Aaron C Hurlbut, James T. Hynes, Matthew T. Judge, Sahra M. Niazi, Platt D. Niebur, Alyssa C. Pilus, Sonya M. Reynolds, Christoper C. Rife, Brandi Jo Sommer and Maegan J. Straight
MERNA – Roni M. Jacobsen
MILLIGAN – Karel D. Capek
MINDEN – Claire S. Jensen
NORFOLK – Nicholas F. Boyle and Bethany J. Gannon
NORTH PLATTE – Brian A. Karre
OGALLALA – Stacey M. Parker
OMAHA – Christelle M. Akati, Orode Badakhsh, Jocelyn K. Bailey, Mark P. Bazant, Supriya K. Bhatia, Casey D. Bowen, Stephen R. Bujarski, Lauren E. Butterfield, Cassandra L. Cash, Joseph T. Cheatle, Jonathan C. Cotton, Judson D. Davies, Michaela R. Davis, Jamie Drake, Marcellene J. Homes, David W. Jantzen, Lisa M. Keenan, Bilal Khan, Kathryn E. Lazure, Allison K. McGee, Heidi C. Moser, Kelli L. Olechoski, Emily M. Pierson, Gregory J. Precht, Mahliqha F. Qasimyar, Abigail C. Randall, Joseph A. Robinson, Frederick C. Rock, Joshua W. Sappenfield, Ann Marie Schreiber, Kylie J. Smith, Dustin S. Sorenson and Sarah E. Wiese
PAPILLION – David A. Rupiper
PLATTSMOUTH – Thomas J. Wilson
PLEASANT DALE – Valerie C. Piening
RALSTON – Michelle N. Kompare and Michelle E. Sudyka
SCHUYLER – Megan M. Cada and Jennifer L. Chleboun
SCOTTSBLUFF – Justin L. Stiers
SEWARD – Joel D. Gabriel and Andrew S. Hentzen
TAYLOR – Daniel E. Schneider
WEST POINT – Emily M. Hotovy

AUBURN CA – Brian P. Tullius
LOS ALTOS CA – Shawn D. Skaife
NAPA CA – Sarah Louise Gupta
CASTLE ROCK CO – Amanda J. Wheatley
DENVER CO – Ann Marie McCartney, Michele L. Muggli and David A. Zander
FORT COLLINS CO – William C. Kramer
AMES IA – Poorani Sekar
COUNCIL BLUFFS IA – Andrew M. Coughlin and Suzanne G. Meyer
ELKADER IA – Peggy Jo Whittle
ONAWA IA – Allison L. Stangel
WATERLOO IA – Jennifer D. Duven
SWAN VALLEY ID – Morgan F. Merrill
MELROSE PARK IL – Sachit A. Patel
OVERLAND PARK KS – Amanda D. Trigg
EAGAN MN – Marc A. Sintek
JUD ND – Jamie V. Zachrison
LAS VEGAS NV – Rogello Machuca
LAWTON OK – Jameca R. Price

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