Next Generation of Pharmacists Steps Forward
TCOP’s Class of 2028 Dons White Coat in Ceremony
The next generation of pharmacists officially donned their white coats during a moving ceremony held at The Town Hall in Manhattan, as Touro College of Pharmacy (TCOP) welcomed the Class of 2028 into the world of pharmacy. The evening marked a powerful rite of passage for 56 new students, symbolizing a commitment to professionalism, ethics, and patient-centered care.
The event featured remarks from Touro leadership including TCOP dean Dr. Henry Cohen, Touro University provost Dr. Patricia Salkin, and keynote speaker Dr. Leigh Briscoe-Dwyer, President of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Walgreens Healthcare Supervisors Dr. Nathalie Maxemous and Dr. Nikolina Paskoski, who sponsored the event, also offered words of encouragement. The highlight of the evening was the cloaking of each student with their white coat—a symbol of their responsibility to uphold the values of the profession.
“The ceremony welcomes those embarking on their careers to the community of medical professionals by giving them a powerful and permanent reminder of their responsibilities to their patients and their commitment to science, compassion, and honor,” said Dean Cohen. “The white coat is a constant reminder not only of the rich history of our profession, but of the standard against which pharmacists must measure their every act of care and their obligation to be worthy of the trust of their patients.”
For Ali Kone, a biology graduate from William Paterson University in New Jersey, the ceremony made his long-held dreams suddenly feel tangible. “It was pretty great. This was the first time I’ve experienced something like this,” he said. “Everything became more real when we got the white coat.” Kone recalled first hearing about TCOP when Dean Fuchs visited his undergraduate campus: “I wanted to be more involved in drug development. My goal is to be part of a pharmaceutical team.”
Justin Most, a Fordham University graduate from Suffolk County, echoed that sentiment. “It was nice, it was pretty exciting. Pharmacy school feels a bit more real now,” he said. Most admitted that pharmacy school has been the most challenging academic experience he’s faced, but said it’s “definitely doable,” pointing to rotations in clinical pharmacy and sterile compounding as areas that have piqued his interest.
The ceremony concluded with the recitation of the Pledge of Professionalism, led by SGA President Breanna Backus, reminding students of their ethical and professional responsibilities as future pharmacists. With their new white coats, the Class of 2028 steps forward—prepared to begin the next step of their journey as medication experts and healthcare leaders.
