Physician Assistant Awards & White Coat Ceremony 2024
As they transition from learners to practitioners, students in the Master of Physician Assistant Class of 2024 celebrated a major milestone on May 16 with the traditional Awards & White Coat Ceremony. This symbolic event is marked by the exchange of short white coats for long ones, signifying transition from students to providers.
Alfred Abuhamad, MD, President, Provost and Dean of the School of Medicine and the Mason C. Andrews Distinguished Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology, welcomed students and guests to the ceremony, held at the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk.
“What you have accomplished over the past two-plus years — and the growth you’ve undergone along the way — is remarkable. On top of that, you did it at one of the most challenging physician assistant graduate programs in the country. Your diligence and dedication have prepared you to step out as a competent, capable partner on a healthcare team.”
Tyler Perkins, MPA Class of 2024 and recipient of this year's PAragon Award, relocated to Hampton Roads specifically for the EVMS Physician Assistant program.
“I'm incredibly grateful," says Perkins. "I left San Luis Obispo, California, to come to EVMS because it's a top 10% PA school in the country. My wife and I, we bought a home here, and we are fully committed to giving back to this community."
Throughout their rigorous training, many students build bonds that will last a lifetime.
"The people that I went through the last 28 months with will be friends and colleagues and comrades for the rest of my life," says Annika Hussey, MPA Class of 2024 and recipient of the Eugene Stead Award. "I don't think anyone will ever understand what it's like to go through PA school until you do it. You form kind of a small family, and you lean on each other when no one else can understand how you're feeling.”
During the ceremony, new members were inducted into Pi Alpha, the national PA honor society, including Joanne Aquino; Padeedeh Bibizadeh; Christina Chung; Annika Hussey; Vy Nguyen; Tyler Perkins; Amanda Peroe; Matthew Pitts; Katie Sexton; Kathleen Wahl; Chandler Winnie; and honorary inductee Abdul-Hamid Jamaludeen, MD, Assistant Professor in the School of Health Professions.
The students will take another significant step in their journey on May 18 as their hard work culminates with the Commencement Ceremony at Scope Arena.
"It's just such a surreal moment to be standing here and to be thinking about everything that we've gone through as a class," says Amanda Peroe, MPA Class of 2024. "I'm just really proud of everyone."
Watch a video highlighting the 2024 Physician Assistant Awards & White Coat Ceremony.
View a photo gallery of the event.