WVU dental students receive white coats, celebrate transition to patient care

Marking an important milestone in their academic journeys, students in the West Virginia University School of Dentistry Class of 2026 received their white coats during the 25th annual Clinic Induction Ceremony.

The ceremony, which symbolizes the students’ commitment to compassionate and clinically excellent patient care, took place Friday, Sept. 13, at the Health Sciences Center.

“If I were to sum up the significance of the Clinic Induction Ceremony, I would say that it centers on ethics, professionalism, leadership, clinical excellence and service,” Dr. Stephen Pachuta, dean of the WVU School of Dentistry, said as he addressed the Class of 2026. “Today symbolizes your commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care and service and is traditionally viewed as the start of your clinical practice. Always remember that the quality of your caring is as equally important as the quality of care that you will provide.”

The Class of 2026 includes 48 Doctor of Dental Surgery and 21 Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene third-year students. At this time in their academic careers, students begin direct patient care following a comprehensive academic curriculum and pre-clinical training.

During the ceremony, each student received a white coat embroidered with their name and a personal note of encouragement in the pocket from the individual or group who sponsored the white coat.

“We come together to celebrate a pivotal moment in the lives of our students and recognize the collective support provided by families, loved ones and faculty,” Dr. Valerie Perrine, associate dean for student affairs, community health and outreach, said. “Donning the white coat affirms a commitment to professionalism and purpose. Embrace this new chapter with the courage that our Mountaineer tradition inspires.”

Dr. Shelia Price, associate dean of admissions, recruitment and access for the School of Dentistry, received a special honor as she celebrated her last day with the school following nearly 40 years of service. She became the first female dentist at WVU to ascend rank from instructor to professor. Dr. Price, along with Dr. Robert “Coach” Wanker, created the school’s Clinic Induction Ceremony. Her retirement was effective Sept. 15.

Quoting former president John F. Kennedy’s mother, Rose Kennedy, Price noted that, “Life is more than milestones, it’s really about the moments. And at this moment, we are especially honored to celebrate your milestone, and mine, with this special moment of celebrating your successes together.”

Guest speaker Dr. Kjeld Nelson, doctor of dental surgery at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus’s School of Dental Medicine and immediate past executive chair of the Student Professionalism and Ethics Association in Dentistry, addressed the crowd during the ceremony.

“Today, we are honoring your delicate hands, your hard work and your impressive talents,” Dr. Nelson, said. “We are also commemorating this moment to establish your position as a leader in health care to create change for people.”

In closing remarks, Dr. Moe Momen, president of the WVU School of Dentistry Alumni Association, reminded the students of the profound impact they will have on the lives of patients.

“Today marks not just the donning of your white coats but the beginning of your journey into the world of dentistry,” Dr. Momen, said. “The white coat is more than a symbol of the profession; it is a commitment to the values that define dentistry – compassion, integrity and excellence. As you wear this coat, you are not just preparing to treat teeth, you are preparing to treat people. Behind every smile is a person who trusts you with their health, their confidence and their well-being.”

WVU School of Dentistry B.S. in Dental Hygiene Class of 2026B.S. in Dental Hygiene Class of 2026:

  • Madeline Amoia
  • Payton Arbogast
  • Abigail Bonham
  • Cheyenne Carr
  • Alyssa Guthrie
  • Ava Kelly
  • Kyra Kerr
  • Brooke Koper
  • Josey Moore
  • Lilly Namsupak
  • Yazna Riddick
  • Katelyn Ross
  • Gillian Rupert
  • Carris Seagraves
  • Bethany Sims
  • Stephanie Stewart
  • Jefferson A. Umana
  • Julianna Watts
  • Sydney White
  • Noelle Wonsettler
  • Ashlynn Zimmerman

White coats were presented to dental hygiene students by Amy Funk, chair of the
Department of Dental Hygiene, and
Ashlee Sowards, junior clinic supervisor.

WVU School of Dentistry Doctor of Dental Surgery Class of 2026Doctor of Dental Surgery Class of 2026:

  • Sydney Allman
  • Maha M. Alshamma
  • Madison N. Anderson
  • Keerthana Arjuna
  • Brandon M. Barnes
  • Nichol Coburn
  • Paul D’Amico
  • Kent Digwe
  • Sophia C. Ellia
  • Nour S. Foual
  • Dylan G. Furlong
  • Skylar Giddens
  • Courtney M. Glover
  • Mira Hamady
  • William C. Hathaway
  • Brianna N. Hodak
  • Ariel C. Holliday
  • Jaliyah M. Hubbard
  • Collin J. Kerr
  • David G. Kines
  • Kristen L. Knotts
  • Tyler R. Linkous
  • Kameron C. Lucky
  • Tristan G. Lucky
  • Zachary T. Matheny
  • Jacob T. Meyer
  • Jaclyn E. Montag
  • Grace K. Myers
  • Christopher M. Neil
  • Ryan Neil
  • Matt Ogershok
  • Madelyn N. Owen
  • Garrett N. Pauls
  • Joshua S. Petit
  • Katelyn G. Pinti
  • Aashish Pokhrel
  • Riley A. Reesman
  • Rachel N. Reppert
  • Harry P. Russell III
  • Hafsa Sabbagh
  • Bashar A. Sadat
  • Daniel Saikali
  • Matthew Vicini
  • Christopher K. VonScio
  • Brittany R. Walker
  • Nicholas A. Walker
  • Mustafa H. Zaeean
  • Sarah Zanabli

White coats were presented to DDS students by Dr. Valerie Perrine, associate dean for student affairs, community health and outreach, and team leaders Dr. Jonathan Abraham, Dr. Tyler Brown, Dr. Lora Graves and Dr. Rodney Powers.

White Coat Sponsors:

  • Dr. K. Heath Bailey
  • Dr. Henry Bianco
  • Dr. Everett Bowling
  • Brannon Dental Associates
  • Dr. Tammy Chipps
  • Drs. Greg Crews, Dallas Nibert, Nika Hettlinger
  • Dr. Christina DeBiase
  • Dr. Brett Eckley
  • Margaret J. Epperly
  • Suann Gaydos
  • Dr. Lauren Godwin
  • Donna Haid
  • Dr. Michael Hazey III
  • Dr. Michael Hilleary
  • Dr. Chris Ivanoff
  • Dr. Katie Kilcollin
  • Dr. William Klenk
  • Dr. Moe Momen
  • Dr. Kjeld Nelson
  • Dr. Morgan Nowery
  • Dr. Bill Oscanyon
  • Dr. Stephen Pachuta
  • Drs. John and Valerie Perrine
  • Dr. Lance Pittman
  • Dr. Shelia Price
  • Dr. Mike Richardson
  • Dr. Daniel Strinkoski
  • Dr. Joseph Vaughan
  • Drs. Ken and Louise Veselicky
  • Dr. Robert “Coach” Wanker
  • The West Virginia Section of the American College of Dentists
  • The West Virginia Section of the International College of Dentists
  • Dr. Travis Wills
  • Dr. and Mrs. S. Bryan Whitaker
  • Dr. Daniel Whyte

We are extremely grateful to the individuals and groups whose generosity provided for the white coats and helped make the induction ceremony a very special day for our students and their families. If you would like to sponsor a white coat in the future, visit the WVU Foundation website.