“Symbol of Effort and Sacrifices:” GSDM DMD 26 and DMD AS 25 students share the stories behind their White Coats
For GSDM predoctoral students, receiving a white coat is an emotional experience, as it represents an important step toward their goal of becoming oral healthcare professional after years of arduous work and countless sacrifices to enter the dental profession.
GSDM DMD and DMD AS students receive their white coats during the school’s annual White Coat Ceremony, which occurs at the half-way point of their dental school experience. This event commemorates their official entrance into the Patient Treatment Center, where they will begin working with real patients.
This year’s event will be held on July 28, and in advance of the ceremony, we asked DMD 26 and DMD AS 25 students to share why this is a significant moment for them. Here’s what they had to say.
Rama Hakim DMD AS 25
“[It is] a taste of a huge achievement that marks years of hardworking and dedication. [It] still feels unreal to be here, and we are halfway through a journey that we have been waiting for [for] so long, [at the] same time remembering our past dental life. It feels super nostalgic to be in this position again. We are just happy and proud to be here.”
Jillian Rivera DMD 26
“It feels crazy to think that two years have already passed, and we’re halfway done with dental school. I can still remember the first day we entered the SLC and did our first preparation and restoration. Now, we have just completed our third and final summative for fixed Prosths. I cannot wait to mark this day and celebrate it will my classmates. It’s been a memorable two years here in Boston and I can’t wait for the next two. All I wish is that it doesn’t go by too fast.”
Maria Zubillaga DMD AS 25
“Receiving my white coat is a profound symbol of all the effort and sacrifices made by me and my family. It signifies the culmination of a challenging journey that began when I moved from Venezuela to the USA. This transition required me to start over, adapt to a new culture, learn English, and take on various jobs to support myself. Each step, no matter how difficult, was driven by my unwavering dream of becoming a dentist once again. The white coat represents not just a professional milestone, but also the resilience, determination, and support that have brought me to this moment. It is an honor that reflects the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices that have defined my path to this achievement.”
Jackson Wotton DMD 26
“I find it hard to believe that it’s already been two years. It’s this fascinating contradiction in which I feel like I have known my classmates forever, but stepping foot into the Simulated Learning Center for the first time feels like last week. Learning, working, and growing alongside all of my peers has made me a better student, clinician, and person. Through both the grind of school days and the levity of free time, I wholeheartedly cherish being a part of the community that we have all built together. Here’s to another fantastic two years!”
Joao Costa DMD AS 25
“This moment signifies our commitment to investing time and effort in serving and supporting our community, honing the skills we have developed over the years, and preparing for the challenges ahead. The solid theoretical foundation we have gained in the past year instills the confidence needed to not only meet professional requirements but to embody the spirit of service that defines all health professionals. We are enthusiastic and proud of our achievements and eagerly anticipate the opportunities to make a meaningful impact in our field.”
Paul Wiley CAMED 22 DMD 26
“[It] marks the transition from being purely academic to putting what you’ve learned into practice. Am I excited? Yes, it’ll be great, but we still have to graduate. In terms of football, [White Coat Ceremony] is like the conference championship. The goal is Super Bowl, [which is] graduation. It’s a big stepping stone.”
Pegah Mohammad Alizadeh SPH 23 DMD AS 25
“[This is] a dream come true! Ever since 2017, when I saw my sister’s photo from [her] GSDM White Coat Ceremony, I had this dream. Initially, it seemed impossible, but I persisted with unwavering determination to turn it into a reality. This achievement symbolizes tremendous dedication and hard work.
Gabi Raspall CAMED 22 DMD 26
“Getting my white coat means becoming the first doctor in my family. I knew I wanted to become a dentist when I was five, so this white coat represents continued commitment to a dream I had as a young kid. At points, I doubted whether I would be able to get into dental school or ever make it this far, so this white coat belongs to my friends, family, mentors, and educators that believed in me when I needed it most. The white coat is a reminder of the duty and responsibility we have to our patients, who entrust us with our care. Getting my white coat is a truly humbling experience that I’ve always looked forward to yet can’t believe it’s finally here. When our class looks at our white coats, they should be proud of the dedication and grit applied to make it to this point and be reminded of the humility and compassion we must carry into our careers as dentists.”
Note: All student photos were submitted