National grant aids first White Coat Ceremony

The 2016-2017 academic year will mark the first White Coat Ceremony for new nursing students at SUNY Polytechnic Institute, thanks to a national grant from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the Arnold P. Gold Foundation.

White Coat Ceremonies are designed to instill a commitment to providing compassionate care among future health professionals.  The grant to SUNY Poly was one of just 50 awarded to nursing programs nationwide and will be used to host SUNY Poly’s first White Coat Ceremony in Utica during the current academic year.

“We are extremely proud to have been selected by AACN to host our first White Coat Ceremony.  Not only is this a national endorsement of SUNY Poly’s nursing programs but it also demonstrates the opportunities those programs are generating for our students,” said Dr. Alain Kaloyeros, SUNY Poly President and CEO.  “Today’s announcement represents another achievement by our passionate and dedicated faculty and staff, and I would like to thank SUNY Poly Dean Dr. Robert Yeh and Department Chair Dr. Kathleen Rourke for their tireless efforts and commitment to our students.”

“The White Coat Ceremony will be a wonderful way for nursing students to begin their studies at SUNY Poly and pledge their commitment to providing high quality care,” said Dr. Robert Geer, SUNY Poly Sr. Vice President and COO.  “Our nursing programs are among the very best and we are thankful to AACN for acknowledging that with this grant.”

White Coat Ceremonies for Nursing are held to promote the importance of compassionate, patient-centered care to new nursing students. Students take an oath pledging their commitment to the highest professional standards and receive a commemorative Humanism Lapel Pin, provided by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation and AACN.  Schools chosen by AACN to host the ceremonies receive $1,000 in financial support for the event.

“Our Nursing programs are a major source of pride for SUNY Poly and this recognition from AACN is another reminder for students and their families of the outstanding education we provide,” said Dr. William Durgin, SUNY Poly Provost.

“The faculty and staff members within SUNY Poly’s nursing department are second to none.  Their passion for caring for others is exemplary and our students are incredibly fortunate to have them as role models.  The White Coat Ceremony will be an impactful way to begin their studies here,” said Dr. Robert Yeh, Dean of the College of Health Science and Management.

SUNY Poly’s academic offerings in nursing include: R.N. to Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 1+2+1 AAS/BS program in collaboration with St. Elizabeth College of Nursing, and Master of Science degrees in Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Administration and Nursing Education. SUNY Poly also offers advanced certificates in Family Nurse Practitioner, and Nursing Education. SUNY Poly’s undergraduate and graduate nursing programs are registered by the New York State Education Department and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

“The White Coat Ceremony will impress upon students the significance of their decision to serve their communities by providing world-class, patient-centered care.  By reciting the pledge they are making a promise to themselves and to all of us to be the best nurses they can be,” said Nursing and Health Professions Department Chair Dr. Kathleen Rourke.

“The addition of this ceremony is a great way to show students that a commitment to quality care begins at the inception of their studies, not the conclusion of them,” said Dr. Jennifer Klimek-Yingling, Assistant Professor of Nursing and Health Professions.  “I believe this will be a very impactful event for our students and I’m proud that AACN has given us the opportunity to host it.”