June 1, 2017 — Students from the UF College of Medicine School of Physician Assistant Studies class of 2018 received their white coats May 26. Marking the students’ transition from basic learning to clinical practice, the white coat ceremony is a milestone of medical education.

The ceremony date marked 27 years since student Seydel Dubon’s father immigrated to the United States from Guatemala, creating opportunities for his daughter to pursue her dreams of medicine.

“For me, today means opportunity, freedom and sacrifice,” Dubon said. “I owe it all to my father. He came here to give his family a better life. This feels like his white coat ceremony, too.”