{"id":224279,"date":"2024-05-16T11:59:50","date_gmt":"2024-05-16T15:59:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=224279"},"modified":"2024-05-18T12:36:03","modified_gmt":"2024-05-18T16:36:03","slug":"inaugural-white-coat-ceremony-marks-milestone-for-montclair-audiology-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2024\/05\/16\/inaugural-white-coat-ceremony-marks-milestone-for-montclair-audiology-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Inaugural White Coat Ceremony Marks Milestone for Montclair Audiology Students"},"content":{"rendered":"

A dozen Montclair State University Audiology<\/a> doctoral students were honored by the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders during its inaugural White Coat Ceremony <\/span>on May 8.<\/span><\/p>\n

Montclair offers one of only 75 doctoral audiology programs across the nation, and the only program in New Jersey. Accredited by the <\/span>Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, Montclair\u2019s program prepares students as clinicians; they work with people who have difficulty hearing or understanding speech, processing auditory signals or have balance disorders. Montclair\u2019s Audiology clinic is the only university-based program on the East Coast to have a virtual reality balance system<\/a> available to clients and to assist students with research.<\/span><\/p>\n

Started in 1993 by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, the White Coat Ceremony \u201csignifies the transition from student to health-care professional,\u201d Audiology Program Director Maryrose McInerney told attendees gathered for the event at the John J. Cali School of Music\u2019s Leshowitz Hall. \u201cWhite coats symbolize the professionalism expected of individuals in clinical professions and underscore our institution’s commitment to providing the education and training necessary for licensure and certification.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Amy
Amy Aiello, interim dean of the College for Community Health, congratulates students on their achievement.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Amy Aiello, interim dean of the College for Community Health, congratulated the graduates as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. \u201cAs you don your white coats for the first time today, I encourage you to embrace the responsibilities and privileges that come with this symbol of professionalism. Let it serve as a constant reminder of your commitment to the highest standards of ethics, patient care and lifelong learning. May your white coats be a source of pride, a symbol of service and a reminder of the noble profession you have chosen.\u201d After being presented with their white coats by McInerney, each inscribed with their names followed by \u201cDoctor of Audiology,\u201d Audiology Clinic Director Faith Mogila administered the Audiology Oath to the students.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Faith
Audiology Clinic Director Faith Mogila, left, administers the Audiology Oath to doctoral graduates on May 8 as family and friends look on.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>At a reception held in their honor afterward, graduates said they were thrilled to be the first to experience the ceremony and be celebrated with family and friends.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt feels really great to be celebrated for four years of really hard work,\u201d said Erin Douglas, who will open a private practice in Wilmington, North Carolina. \u201cWe all really deserve it, and I’m so glad that our program is starting a new tradition.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sean Kleczkowski, who will be joining a private ENT and audiology clinic in Englewood, New Jersey, said he was honored to be in the inaugural ceremony. \u201cThis whole journey has been one that was full of highs and lows but this is what we work for, this big moment where we can celebrate all of our hard work and all of our research and finally being able to put our amazing degree into practice. It’s an honor.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A
A closeup of the white coats that Audiology students were presented with to signify their transition from students to professionals.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Deborah Rivera echoed Kleczkowski\u2019s sentiments, saying, \u201cWe\u2019re so happy that [the ceremony] finally happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Rivera, who will be working at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, was accompanied by her proud parents, Maria and Roberto Rivera, and other family members.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very proud,\u201d said her husband, Fermin Sorto. \u201cShe\u2019s come a long way and gotten through this year. I’m so happy and can\u2019t wait for what this holds for her future.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Gita Balser said she officially felt like a doctor of audiology. \u201cI really had a lot of like impostor syndrome,\u201d she said, \u201cand then all of a sudden like when I walked across the stage I was like, \u2018Oh my goodness, this is really real.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She said she appreciated that family members were able to get a more personalized ceremony before Commencement on May 13. Balser, who has a job lined up with Hearing Life in Westfield, New Jersey, said she\u2019ll be conducting hearing screenings and hearing aid checks for people in nursing homes and adult daycare centers in northern New Jersey. \u201cI\u2019m really excited about it,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n

McInerney told the students: \u201cI speak for all the audiology faculty who have worked with you, we are so proud of you and are so happy that you joined our village. Each of you has made a lasting impression in our department, and we are proud to have you represent our program and call you our colleagues.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

PHOTO GALLERY<\/h3>\n
\"Students
Students recite the Audiology Oath during the department\u2019s inaugural White Coat Ceremony.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"A
An audience member captures Audiology students on her phone camera.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Gita
Audiology graduates Gita Balser and Erin Douglas onstage.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Wearing
Deborah Rivera, center, celebrates post-White Coat Ceremony with family members.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"A
Audiology graduate Helen Rubio is congratulated by a family member.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Story by Staff Writer <\/span>Sylvia A. Martinez<\/b><\/a>. Photos by University Photographer <\/span>Mike Peters<\/b><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

You May Also Like:<\/span><\/p>\n

Spring Commencement 2024 Recap, Photos & Highlights<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Montclair Mascots Unveil Secret Identities at Commencement 2024<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

N.J. Quintuplets Make History as They Graduate from Montclair State University<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Montclair\u2019s \u2018Jersey Joe\u2019 Dances His Way to Commencement<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Montclair Football Stars Score Big in Business<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

From Childhood Tragedy to Commencement Triumph<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Montclair\u2019s SGA President Advocates for Change from Campus to Capitol Hill<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

N.J. Grandmother Earns Her Degree After Five Decades<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n