The White Coat is a symbol of professional responsibility, service, patient advocacy, and a commitment to follow the ethical tenets of the Physical Therapy profession. In the UK College of Health Sciences Department of Physical Therapy, doctoral students transitioning into full-time clinical education are presented with a White Coat as a rite of passage. This event signifies that the student is ready to begin full-time clinical practice to further develop their skills as they progress in the program, and more importantly, impact patient lives.
White Coat ceremonies have become commonplace in physical therapy education as we promote the importance of the doctoral education students receive. The inaugural White Coat Ceremony at the University of Kentucky took place in 2024.
For the 2025 White Coat Ceremony, we are starting a new tradition by inviting alumni, family members, faculty, and local clinicians to help us celebrate this momentous time in a student's professional journey by sponsoring a student. Students will be provided their new white coat with a message from you sharing your words of encouragement, wisdom, and guidance. As our students receive their coat with your note in their pocket, they will know that you made this possible and are proud of their chosen profession. In addition, it is our hope that by supporting a student, you are encouraging and inspiring the next generation of physical therapists to not only give their best, but to also pay it forward.
- A $100 gift to sponsor a new Physical Therapy student’s white coat and support the White Coat Ceremony
- A $500 gift to sponsor five white coats for new Physical Therapy students and support the White Coat Ceremony
- A $1,000 gift to sponsor five white coats and support the PT scholarship fund and White Coat Ceremony
- A $2,500 gift to sponsor ten white coats and support the PT scholarship fund and White Coat Ceremony
To make a white coat gift go to https://give.uky.edu/campaigns/47165/donations/new?aft=f6d61faab908a4e65864c1496310b1a4. Under “gift instructions” please write White Coat Ceremony. After you have submitted your gift, a staff member will email you regarding the option to write a note.