UTICA, NY – Earlier today, SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) proudly celebrated 88 graduate students in its Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs during a White Coat Ceremony, recognizing a major milestone in their academic and professional journeys.

The ceremony marked the completion of the instructional portion of the students’ programs and the beginning of their clinical practice, where they will apply their knowledge and skills in real-world healthcare settings. The White Coat Ceremony serves as a rite of passage in healthcare education, emphasizing the importance of compassion, professionalism, and ethical responsibility alongside clinical excellence.

SUNY Poly President Dr. Winston Soboyejo addressed the students, their families and ceremony attendees, underscoring the responsibility and trust that accompany the white coat. Following his remarks, students donned their white coats and collectively recited the Nurses Oath, publicly affirming their commitment to patient-centered care.

“The White Coat Ceremony marks an important beginning for our students and a powerful commitment to the values that define healthcare,” said President Soboyejo. “From the very start of their training, they affirm that compassion and humanism are essential to nursing excellence. As they take their oath and don the white coat, they accept a profound responsibility to care for patients with skill, empathy, and integrity. This ceremony reminds us that the white coat is not a symbol of status, but of service, trust, and accountability to the communities we serve.”

The White Coat Ceremony tradition highlights the importance of humanism in healthcare education and to reinforce the ethical obligations of those entering the profession. At SUNY Poly, the ceremony reflects the institution’s commitment to preparing healthcare professionals who lead with both expertise and empathy.