GW PA Students Mark Transition to Clinical Training at Annual Short White Coat Ceremony

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Members of the Class of 2027 physician assistant (PA) cohort at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences received their short white coats in a March 13 ceremony marking the completion of their didactic coursework and their transition into clinical training.

The short white coat ceremony, a rite of passage for physician assistant students, marks the shift from classroom learning to hands-on patient care. While the short coat distinguishes students still in training from clinicians in long coats, it also signals their readiness to begin clinical experiences and their commitment to professionalism, integrity and patient-centered care.

Brandon Beattie, assistant professor of PA studies and director of the PA program, welcomed the class and emphasized the significance of the transition ahead.

"You're embarking on what's called the liminal space, the threshold between where you were and where you're going," he said. "You're now evolving from the role of the student who knows into the clinician who cares."

The event also marked a major milestone as students learned where they will begin their year-long clinical rotations. These rotations include six-week placements in specialties such as emergency medicine, surgery, pediatrics and family medicine, and take place at more than 200 partner sites across Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and beyond. Students advancing to this stage earned at least a 3.0 GPA and will now apply their knowledge in real-world clinical settings focused on direct patient care.

In his first major school event as interim vice president for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Andrew Artenstein, highlighted the national standing of GW's PA program, noting its consistent top-six ranking by U.S. News & World Report and its longstanding accreditation.

"I want to emphasize the caliber of the home you have chosen," he said, adding that the program sets a gold standard for physician assistant education regionally and nationally.

"Our high ranking is a direct reflection of the history and tireless dedication of the faculty and staff you see here today, as well as the high expectations we set for our talented students-all of you-who have earned a seat in this program."

Artenstein also shared a personal connection to the program.

"My sister is a proud alumna of the GW PA program, Class of 1985," he said. "I have seen the 'GW difference' in action throughout her career. I know the rigor of the clinical rotations, the depth of the medical knowledge required, and the compassionate bedside manner that becomes second nature to a GW PA."

Keynote speaker Emily Scott, PA '25, reflected on her own journey and encouraged students to embrace uncertainty as they begin clinical training.

"Confidence doesn't come from knowing everything. It comes from knowing how to navigate what you don't know."

She urged students to focus on the human side of care, quoting poet Maya Angelou: "People will forget what you said. They'll forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel."

Later, she reflected on the deeper meaning of the ceremony.

"When I think about the significance of the white coat and what it symbolizes, I believe it represents…the shift in that weight, and that suddenly a goal that seemed so far away, something that you never thought would happen, felt unachievable, it feels within reach.

"The white coat is a symbol of momentum, of progress, of allowing yourself, even just for a moment, to feel a little bit more excited than afraid."

Class of 2027 students Malik Harris and Abigail Brandt reflected on the shared challenges and camaraderie of the past year.

"If I've learned anything this year, it's that I'm surrounded by some amazing, amazing future PAs," Harris said. "I just want to thank all of you guys for just being yourselves throughout this journey."

He added, "as we begin this next chapter in our journey to become providers, let's continue to lift each other up and keep each other going. Being a health care provider is a sacred honor…"

Brandt encouraged her classmates to take pride in their accomplishments, reminding them that "we have a lot more to be proud of than just 46 exams."

"When you introduce yourself, be proud that you earned your place in this cohort. Be proud of the Mondays you conquered and the Fridays you let loose. Be proud of your care…and let it propel you through the year we have left before we upgrade these white coats."

Faculty members also underscored the responsibility that comes with the white coat. Tammy Ritsema, associate professor of PA studies, spoke about its historical and symbolic significance.

"To wear this coat…symbolized that you had earned the right, that you have gone to school and been successful in school, and that you had gone through lots of testing."

Ritsema also emphasized the impact students will have on patients, noting "white coat hypertension" and the anxiety the garment can provoke, sometimes causing a patient's blood pressure to rise.

"What decides whether the white coat is a force for good? As you go out into the clinics and the hospitals, you have a choice," she said. "Will your patients come to you looking forward to seeing you in your white coat because they associate their white coat with competence and knowledge and compassion, or will they dread seeing you coming because they fear judgment?

"Knowing the Class of 2027, as I do," she added, "I believe it's going to be the former, not the latter. You have the passion for medicine, the compassion for patients, the desire to make a difference, and willingness to confront things that you think are right."

In closing, Mary L. Warner, chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies, offered practical advice for the journey ahead. She encouraged students to learn from nurses, prioritize rest and nutrition, admit when they do not know an answer, and take time for themselves to avoid burnout.