Graduate students receiving their white coats during Touro\'s annual ceremony

Nearly 800 Touro Students Receive Their White Coats for the First Time

Oct 5, 2021

For the first time since 2019, Touro University Nevada’s first-and second-year students were presented with their white coats during two separate in-person ceremonies on Oct. 3 and 4.

Held inside the Thomas & Mack Center, more than 430 students from the College of Health and Human Services and more than 350 first-and-second-year students from the College of Osteopathic Medicine donned their white coats for the first time with their friends and families in attendance.

“Our entire first year was virtual, so we hadn’t had the opportunity to interact with our classmates. Being here for our white coat ceremony feels amazing,” said Sandeep Rai, a second-year student in the College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Although her entire first year of medical school was completed remotely, Rai said her Touro Nevada experience has been rewarding due to the balance of virtual learning and in-person labs.

“I was very grateful that Touro allowed us to do our labs in person. I think it would’ve been impossible to go to medical school without having in-person labs,” she said. “It’s been a great balance.”

Students from the Schools of Physician Assistant Studies, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Nursing received their white coats the day before the DO students.

“My white coat means a lot to me. It represents the number of responsibilities that I will shoulder as a healthcare provider,” said Viet Nguyen, a School of Physician Assistant Studies student. “I like that it’s white because it represents a clean slate.”

“I think this shows me how much I’ve achieved in my life,” said Christina Harvey, a student in the School of Physical Therapy. “It shows that I can genuinely help people. The white coat will always be on me, whether it’s visible or invisible.”