Event honors Class of 2026 as it transitions to year of clinical training
The Presbyterian College Physician Assistant Studies Program honored the Class of 2026 during its annual White Coat Ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 27, in Belk Auditorium. The ceremony marked a defining moment in the lives of 36 students who completed their didactic coursework and now begin the next phase of their training—caring for patients in clinical settings.
The White Coat Ceremony, a tradition in medical education, symbolizes the transition from classroom to clinic. For the Class of 2026, the day represented both the culmination of a year of rigorous study and the beginning of their professional journey as physician assistants.
‘Not Just About Putting on a Coat’
Amanda Stevenson-Cali, director of the PA Program, welcomed students, families, faculty, and staff and reminded the audience of the profound meaning behind the ritual.
“Today is not just about putting on a coat,” she said. “It’s about stepping into a new chapter of your journey—one that will challenge you in ways you cannot yet imagine but also reward you in ways that will stay with you for the rest of your life.”
Stevenson-Cali acknowledged the intense dedication required of students during their first year. Over the past 12 months, she noted, they have “learned more than any human being should be expected to learn in 12 months.” From mastering anatomy and physiology to memorizing the intricacies of 1,000 diseases and 500 patient cases, the Class of 2026 demonstrated extraordinary resilience.
“There have been many sleepless nights, anxious hand wringing before exams, and even tears,” Stevenson-Cali said. “But all of it—the long nights, the early mornings, the study groups, and silent prayers before exams—has led you here.”
She encouraged students to remember the personal motivations that first drew them to the profession.
“When you interviewed, when you wrote your personal statements, each of you told us in your own way, ‘I want to take care of people. This is my calling,’” she said. “Now, as you enter your clinical year, you get to put together your why and your knowledge. You’ll meet patients whose stories aren’t cleanly categorized and whose needs go beyond a diagnosis and treatment plan. There will be moments when you’re uncertain. That’s ok. It means you’re committed to showing up anyway—with humility, curiosity, and a willingness to learn.”
From Hurricane Helene to Healing Hands
Dr. Lincoln McGinnis, medical director of the PA Program, reflected on the unusual start to the Class of 2026’s journey.
“It was a year ago this weekend that Hurricane Helene came through,” McGinnis said, recalling how the devastating storm delayed the students’ entry into the program. “That was your first experience understanding how variable health care is, how variable practicing medicine is, and how variable every patient is. And you will spend the rest of your career learning that and adapting to it.”
McGinnis praised the class for persevering through a demanding didactic year and said their white coats symbolized not just survival but success.
“You already know this, but I pray for you every day,” he told the students. “I ask God to give you knowledge and discipline so that you may achieve your goals. You are receiving this white coat today as evidence that that prayer was answered.”
As the students now turn to clinical training, McGinnis reminded them that their metrics for success will change.
“You’ll no longer be measuring your success by numbers like grades and test scores,” he said. “You’ll start measuring your success based on lives touched. And you can begin that right now.”
Seeds of Passion
In his address, McGinnis urged the Class of 2026 to cultivate what he called “seeds of passion.” He outlined several core commitments that would guide them throughout their careers:
- Passion for learning – “Practicing medicine is a lifetime education. Your learning curve will continue to be steep for the next several years. But you have demonstrated that you’re ready for it.”
- Passion for teaching – “Part of your responsibility in working in health care is to pass your knowledge on. Don’t be stagnant like the Dead Sea. Use your knowledge like a flowing stream—learn all you can and then share it with others.”
- Passion for patients – “When you are fully focused and fully engaged with a patient, you will do what needs to be done to succeed. Make it about the patient, and you will positively impact lives.”
- Passion for others and self-care – “People want to feel cared for, whether they are your patients, colleagues, or family. And you must also care for yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually.”
- Passion for God – “When you make the venture of belief in God, He will open your mind to things you never realized were possible within you.”
Above all, McGinnis encouraged students to embrace love as their guiding principle.
“Love is the most powerful force in the universe,” he said. “Love your patients. Love your colleagues. Love your family. Love your friends. Recognize that love is the most powerful force in the universe. When you are a person of love, you will do things that are remarkable and can change the world.”
He closed with a quote from psychiatrist Carl Menninger, founder of the Menninger Clinic: “Love cures people, both the one who gives it and the one who receives it.”
Family, Faith, and the Future
The ceremony also recognized the sacrifices of families and friends who supported the students throughout their didactic year.
“To the families and friends here, thank you for your support over the past 12 months,” Stevenson-Cali said. “They could not have done it without you.”
She also underscored the ethical weight of donning the white coat.
“As you wear your white coats today, you are not just receiving a symbol of your profession,” she said. “You are embracing a profound commitment to the values and responsibilities that define the role of a physician assistant.”
Recognizing Excellence
The ceremony also included the presentation of three awards recognizing outstanding students:
- Gabriel Garcia – Scotty Spirit Award
- Emilee Johnson – Scotty Strength Award
- Hannah Beth Wootten – Top-Performing Didactic Student
Carrying the Mission Forward
For Presbyterian College, the White Coat Ceremony reflects the institution’s broader mission of service and leadership. Rooted in the college’s motto, “While We Live, We Serve,” the event emphasized the dual responsibility of PA students to use their knowledge with skill and their compassion with purpose.
As the Class of 2026 leaves the classroom for clinics, they do so not only with white coats on their shoulders but also with the charge to embody passion, perseverance, and love in their work.
“Remember,” McGinnis told them, “you don’t have to be famous, you don’t have to be a superstar, you don’t have to be the one everyone talks about. Be the best that you can be. With commitment and passion and love, you can make a difference in the world.”
Members of the Class of 2026
Nicholas Adam Bridges
Jeramiah William Patrick Brown
Nicola Sophia Brown
Kimberly Marie Carlson
Maria Auxiliadora File
Kaleigh Nicole Fowler
Kathleen Dudasko Frances
Emma Laney Gammons
Gabriel Alexander Garcia
Taylor Ann Gleason
Elexus Hightower-Wilson
Tanner Matthew Holben
Savannah Grace Hoover
Emilee Hill Johnson
Emma Elizabeth Kercorian
McKenna Ellis King
Abigail May Krug
Corrine Mae Marshall
Jayden Tiya Mattson
Haley Roone McCaffrey
Trent Alexander McClow
Lindsey Swann Melzer
Briana Soto Moski
Elizabeth Peña
Nydia Marcella Perez
Lilliana Louisa Ramsower Taleen Ramzy
Caitlin Danielle Sheppard
Olivia Gabrielle Waters
Kelsy Jean White
Audra Shay Wilkerson
Hannah Elizabeth Wootten
Ryan Christopher Wright
