Thirty-five members of LSU Health New Orleans Doctor of Physical Therapy Class of 2026 received the mantle of clinical care at their recent White Coat Ceremony. Following a welcome from Ha Hoang, Ph.D., PT, Associate Professor and Interim Head of the Department of Physical Therapy at LSU Health New Orleans School of Allied Health Professions, William McCandlish, BS, SPT, DPT II Class President, spoke. Paul Hildreth, PT, DPT, MPH, delivered the keynote address. Dr. Hildreth’s encouraged the students to consider their journey to becoming a physical therapist. This journey entails the professional to have “compassion, candor, and respect for all patients.” He added “integration of best research evidence means hoping to find the best honest truth for your patient while using your clinical knowledge to choose wisely but always remembering you are serving the patients values.”
Then, before an audience filled with family, friends and loved ones, the white coats were presented. One by one, each student handed his or her coat to a member of the Physical Therapy (PT) faculty who “coated” the student.
“The faculty were excited to experience this important step in the students’ transition and becoming part of the clinical team.” notes Dr. Hoang. “This event reminds the students of the responsibility they have to provide the best possible care to their patients and clients in a responsible and ethical manner.”
After all of the members of the DPT Class of 2026 received their coats, they recited the APTA Code of Ethics in unison, pledging to uphold its principles with honesty and dedication in all patient and client interactions.
Thirty-five members of LSU Health New Orleans Doctor of Physical Therapy Class of 2026 received the mantle of clinical care at their recent White Coat Ceremony. Following a welcome from Ha Hoang, Ph.D., PT, Associate Professor and Interim Head of the Department of Physical Therapy at LSU Health New Orleans School of Allied Health Professions, William McCandlish, BS, SPT, DPT II Class President, spoke. Paul Hildreth, PT, DPT, MPH, delivered the keynote address. Dr. Hildreth’s encouraged the students to consider their journey to becoming a physical therapist. This journey entails the professional to have “compassion, candor, and respect for all patients.” He added “integration of best research evidence means hoping to find the best honest truth for your patient while using your clinical knowledge to choose wisely but always remembering you are serving the patients values.”
Then, before an audience filled with family, friends and loved ones, the white coats were presented. One by one, each student handed his or her coat to a member of the Physical Therapy (PT) faculty who “coated” the student.
“The faculty were excited to experience this important step in the students’ transition and becoming part of the clinical team.” notes Dr. Hoang. “This event reminds the students of the responsibility they have to provide the best possible care to their patients and clients in a responsible and ethical manner.”
After all of the members of the DPT Class of 2026 received their coats, they recited the APTA Code of Ethics in unison, pledging to uphold its principles with honesty and dedication in all patient and client interactions.