The Armstrong McDonald School of Nursing (AMSON) at College of the Ozarks holds its 19th annual White Coat Ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 1. Nineteen members of the class of 2028 were coated.

The Armstrong McDonald School of Nursing (AMSON) at College of the Ozarks held its 19^th annual White Coat Ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 1. Nineteen members of the class of 2028 were coated.

Rebecca Hamon, nursing program director and associate professor of nursing at College of the Ozarks, began the ceremony by welcoming students, parents, and administrators. The event was held in the Royal Oak Forum at The Keeter Center. The junior students received a white New Testament Bible and a white rose along with their white coats. Linda Brennan from The Auxiliary of The Gideons presented the students with their Bibles to use in their practice of healing.

This year’s speaker was Dr. Raine Prather, DNP, RN, CNE. Prather graduated from the AMSON program in 2018 and currently serves as an assistant professor of nursing at College of the Ozarks. His professional career includes maternal-child health nursing, pediatric oncology, leadership, accreditation, and education. Prather shared about the symbolism of receiving the white coat and how it sets the student apart as a professional clinician, dedicated to God’s calling on their life.

“The purpose of the White Coat Ceremony is to continue a special tradition for students preparing to enter the hospital arena of patient care,” Hamon said. “It is an exciting next step, which also brings with it a solemn responsibility. The white coat, in nursing and other medical professions, symbolizes clinical service and excellence in care. I am thrilled to see how the Lord will utilize our nursing students as they provide holistic and compassionate care to our community.”

Each student was coated by a senior nursing major from the class of 2027. After the students were coated, they were led in the recitation of the Nightingale Pledge. The seniors then prayed a blessing over the junior nursing students.

Many guests, including friends and family members, come to honor these junior nursing students.

Junior nursing major Ella Jones and her family celebrate her accomplishment at the White Coat Ceremony.

“Receiving the white coat isn’t just a piece of clothing. It’s a new level of responsibility and opportunity of blessing as I step into clinicals at various hospitals this semester,” said junior nursing major Ella Jones. “As a five-year nursing student, I have been so blessed to spend extra time here at the College, and the Armstrong McDonald School of Nursing has gone above and beyond in preparing us, not only to work in a health care setting, but to love people as Jesus did and be His hands and feet.”

The following are the junior nursing majors who received their white coats at the 19^th annual White Coat Ceremony:

• Adriene Adams from Huntsville, Arkansas
• Danella Bautista from the Philippines
• Sophia Busenitz from El Paso, Texas
• Logan Collier from Oldfield, Missouri
• Kendall Davis from Springfield, Missouri
• Caroline Hahn from Lockhart, Texas
• Emma Hearn from Nampa, Idaho
• Addison Houston from Marshfield, Missouri
• Ella Jones from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Seojin Kim from Seoul, South Korea
• Shelby Ledgerwood from Alton, Missouri
• Rainbow Namata from Kampala, Uganda
• Ali Reid from Concordia, Missouri
• Anna Riegle from Springfield, Missouri
• Kirsi Robertson from Van, Texas
• Elaina Smith from Quincy, Illinois
• Leah Stitt from Buffalo, Missouri
• Addison Stull from Reeds Spring, Missouri
• Travis Wolf from Lindsay, Texas

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the Arnold P. Gold Foundation have collaborated to provide support and technical assistance to more than 450 schools of nursing in 50 states to offer ceremonies designed to inspire a commitment to provide compassionate, patient-centered care among students entering the nursing profession. More information can be found on the Arnold P. Gold Foundation website https://www.gold-foundation.org/.

For additional information, contact Public Relations Director Valorie Coleman at (417) 690-2212.