Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy Welcomes Class of 2028 During Annual White Coat Ceremony

August 18, 2024

The Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy welcomed its newest students this week at the annual White Coat Ceremony on Aug. 16 in Belk Auditorium.

Two dozen new P1s were granted white coats to begin their academic careers as first-year pharmacy students in the four-year doctoral program.

“Today marks an important first step in your professional journey,” said PC president Dr. Anita Gustafson. “This is a significant milestone for you. It took a lot of hard work and dedication to get to this point, and I have full confidence that you will be able to persist and be successful in your pursuit of a pharmacy degree.”

Gustafson noted pharmacy’s pivotal role in health care and how much pharmacists impact patient care.

“There are so many new therapies available that well-trained pharmacists are needed to deliver safe and effective care to patients,” she said. “You will learn all the technical skills and scientific knowledge in the PharmD program, but at PC, you will learn more. You will also learn, and embrace, and demonstrate the vital skills of empathy and compassion that will set you apart from others.

“As you will learn, PC’s motto is, ‘While We Live, We Serve.’ Service is embedded in everything we do. It’s in our DNA. At PC, we impart an appreciation for and a commitment to serving others in need, especially in the profession of pharmacy.”

Dr. Giuseppe Gumina (left) welcomes a new P1 to the Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy at the 2024 White Coat Ceremony.

PCSP dean Dr. Giuseppe Gumina congratulating a new P1 at the White Coat Ceremony.

Dr. Giuseppe Gumina, dean of the pharmacy school, told P1s he is grateful they chose PCSP and that they made the right choice.

“You have joined a distinguished program that boasts outstanding outcomes,” he said, noting that the school’s Class of 2023 earned the highest first-time passage rate in South Carolina for the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination. Gumina added that the school’s post-graduation placement rate for the past two years has been 99 percent or higher.

“Numbers aside, though, the competence and professional success of our graduates who came before you stand as the most important testimony to the quality of our program,” he said. “Four years from now, you will belong to a growing number of PCSP alumni who will make us proud every day.”

Nancy A. Taylor, chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice and assistant professor of pharmacy practice, inspired the new cohort with wisdom and humor in her keynote address.

Taylor began with a profound reminder of how important it is for patients to trust their pharmacists and believe they maintain the highest professional standards of care.

“As long as you will be entrusted with the health and well-being of your patients, if you make a mistake, it could cost a patient their life,” Taylor said. “I know that’s sort of a sober start, but that is what our law decrees on page one, and that’s where it sets the tone for why we have the regulations we do. For this reason, pharmacy is one of the most regulated professions.

“Pharmacy laws and regs have defined what is considered acceptable behavior. We are the caretakers of our patients’ lives. This responsibility demands integrity, ethical behavior, and a commitment to continuous learning.”

Taylor encouraged the group to confront the rigors and challenges of the pharmacy program head-on and prepare for real scenarios where critical thinking and problem-solving are paramount.

Nancy Taylor is the chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice and assistant professor of pharmacy practice at the Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy.

Nancy Taylor chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice

“Remember, every challenge overcome is a step closer to your goal,” she said. “While the path you have chosen is not an easy one, it is incredibly rewarding. Stay focused on your goals and remain determined in the face of setbacks.”

Taylor said determination should be a student’s driving force – to succeed academically and inspire others.

“Look to your left and look to your right,” she said. “These are your people. Support and inspire each other.”

Taylor also urged P1s to reflect on their personal and professional growth over the next few years.

“Self-awareness allows you to recognize your limitations and seek help when you need it,” she said. “It also fosters empathy, as understanding your own feelings and reactions can enhance your ability to connect with and care for others. Cultivating self-awareness will help you maintain balance and resilience throughout your career.”

Taylor said students should keep their career options open and remain open-minded to various career fields.

“Be open to all areas of pharmacy because you never know what road this white coat is going to take you down,” she said. “The field of pharmacy is vast, with opportunities in clinical practice, research, industry, public health, retail – which is my love – veterinary pharmacy, academia, and so, so much more. Just last week, I read that there were sports medicine pharmacies serving at the Olympics in France. How cool is that? Each path offers unique experiences and a chance to make a significant impact.

“Keep an open mind, explore different avenues, and be ready to seize opportunities as they arise. Your career may take you in many unexpected and rewarding directions.”

Taylor said pharmacy students also take on an additional role by donning their new white coats and taking the pledges of honor and professionalism at the White Coat Ceremony.

“You start building your reputation as a professional,” she said. “You can build a distinguished and flawless reputation, or your actions may create a not-so-good reputation. A good one will attract opportunities and open doors for you.”