History of the White Coat Ceremony

In August 2014, the Arnold P. Gold Foundation (APGF) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) selected 100 schools of nursing, including LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing, to receive support to fund the pilot of the White Coat Ceremonies (WCC). The WCC is designed to instill a commitment to providing compassionate care among future health professionals. The ground-breaking program was funded and developed by APGF Trustee, Elaine Adler and her husband Mike, Co-Founders of the Adler Aphasia Center, to promote humanistic, patient-centered care among incoming nursing students.

“As the Arnold P. Gold Foundation broadens its mission to engage the entire healthcare team, we are pleased to continue the partnership with the AACN to pilot the White Coat Ceremony for nursing students,” stated Dr. Richard Levin, President and CEO. “Creating a new link between nurses and physicians through humanism supports optimal health care in the 21st century. We are thankful for the support of Elaine and Mike Adler in this partnership project.”

Though White Coat Ceremonies have been an important rite of passage in medical schools for more than 20 years, this new collaboration between APGF and AACN marks the first time a coordinated effort has been developed to offer similar events in schools of nursing. In the initial piloted year, nursing schools in 43 states plus the District of Columbia were provided financial support and guidance to offer a White Coat Ceremony.

The White Coat Ceremonies consist of the recitation of an oath, cloaking of students in a white coat, an address by an eminent role model, and a reception for students and invited guests. Students also receive a specially designed pin to serve as a visual reminder of the oath and commitment to provide high quality care.

"By offering White Coat Ceremonies, our schools are sending a clear message to new nursing students that compassionate care must be a hallmark of their clinical practice," said AACN President Eileen T. Breslin. "Securing a commitment to providing patient-centered care at the beginning of a nurse's professional formation will help to raise the quality of care available to all patients."