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On October 8, 2015 students from the College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2019 received their white coats, symbolizing their entry into the medical profession.

177 students were coated at UNE’s Harold Alfond Forum in front of an audience of approximately 1,400 faculty, students, alumni, family and friends. They heard from J. Jerry Rodos, D.O., former dean and one of the founders of the College of Osteopathic Medicine. He spoke to students about the college’s creation and the history and symbolism of the white coat. “Watching you and what’s happened to this university has been really rewarding,” Rodos told the students.

During the ceremony, second-year students escorted first-year students to the stage where physicians were waiting to coat them. Among those physicians were three parents. Three student legacies had the opportunity to be coated by their fathers, who also graduated from UNE’s College of Osteopathic Medicine.

“My father has been an integral part in every step of my journey to becoming a physician,” Sarah Pope ’19 said about her father, Ronald Pope, D.O., ‘98. “I couldn't imagine having anyone else by my side for the moment he became more than just my father and mentor, but also my colleague.”

“I was very drawn to the D.O. profession from an early age, and 51Ʒ��has a longstanding reputation for providing an excellent medical education and clinical training,” said Justin Berkner ’19. “My father has always been my biggest role model and I strive to be more like him every day. Growing up witnessing the compassion and respect he shows to his patients and fellow healthcare professionals is part of what inspired me to become a doctor.”

Robert P. Fitzpatrick ’19 said his family roots in osteopathic medicine and at 51Ʒ��helped him choose the university for medical school. “Like every boy growing up I wanted to be just like my dad,” Fitzpatrick said. “As time went by and I started to realize I could follow his footsteps into medicine, I knew I wanted to be both an osteopath and attend 51Ʒ��COM.”

His father, Robert J. Fitzpatrick, D.O., M.P.H., spoke just as highly of his alma mater. “In 1980, I was lucky enough to be accepted to 51Ʒ��COM and began the journey to becoming an osteopathic physician. From the first day we began classes, the faculty and administration made it clear that becoming an osteopathic physician was going to take a great deal of time, effort, and hard work, but it would be well worth the challenges. I will always be grateful to 51Ʒ��COM for giving me the opportunity as well as the tools that I needed to take good care of patients in all that entails, and to hopefully make a difference in the lives of the people we serve.”