30 CSM physical therapy students receive white coats during Clinical Commencement Ceremony
OMAHA, Neb. – Thirty Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students at College of Saint Mary (CSM) received white coats during a Clinical Commencement Ceremony April 4.
The white coat represents medical and professional excellence and compassionate care.
Upon receiving their white coats, students will begin clinical work providing direct care to clients. Students complete two 16-week full-time clinical experiences in medically-complex and community-based settings. The students will complete their clinical rotations and graduate in December.
“Since we began developing this program in 2018 and welcomed our first class in June 2020, it has been a remarkable journey. We achieved initial accreditation in November 2022, and today, we are celebrating our third cohort—the Class of 2025—who started their journey in May 2023. Being part of their progress has been a privilege, and we take immense pride in their achievements,” said Kimberly Varnado, director of the DPT program.
Jake Stewart, physical therapist and 2023 graduate of CSM’s DPT program, was the featured speaker. Student Karen Hanna led the prayer and Emily Harris, class president, was the student speaker.
White coats were presented by Varnado and Kristy M.B. Keefner, assistant professor of physical therapy and co-director of clinical education. Anne Mejia-Downs, associate professor of physical therapy, read the physical therapy oath.
CSM President Heather Smith gave the closing remarks.
This was the fourth clinical commencement ceremony for students in CSM’s DPT program, which launched in June 2020.
CSM’s DPT program offers hybrid-learning with core faculty certified in clinical specialty areas and online instruction. This allows students to take classes and complete coursework off-campus while attending onsite intensive hands-on experiences with classmates, faculty and clinical partners throughout the year.
Class of 2025 Doctor of Physical Therapy Students
Caitlyn Ahlin
Zahir Bakhtiari
Matthew Case
Benjamin Chamberlin
Angel Colon-Aviles
Michael Condie
Ryan Dewhirst
Zachary Dickerson
Kaitlyn Evans
Sara Ginkens
Kendall Halbur
Karen Hanna
Emily Harris
Rawda Hefny
Savannah Lukasiewicz
Shaghayegh Mehrvarz
Margaret Miller
Sonya Nunez
Alexander Pang-Riddle
Kaylie Ratzlaff
Jordan Ritzdorf
Dalton Sanford
Grace Schipper
Emily Shaji
D'Mitris Singleton
Trenton Smith
Anna Weber
Sydney Weirich
Morgan Wilke
Marissa Ybay
