Pharmacy School Welcomes Class of 2013

By Kukla Vera on August 24, 2009 1:07 PM

The USC School of Pharmacy greeted 187 students to the four-year, postgraduate program leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

The new students were chosen from a competitive pool of nearly 1,400 applicants for seats in the Class of 2013. The white coat ceremony signifies the patient-care aspects of the pharmacy profession for which students begin to train in their first year of the curriculum.

During the ceremony held on Aug. 20, each student was “coated” by either a faculty member or a member of the QSAD Centurion board of directors. QSAD Centurion, a support group of alumni and friends, sponsors the annual event.

After a welcome by dean R. Pete Vanderveen, associate professor Jeffrey Goad delivered the keynote address. Goad reminded the students that they have signed up for a professional program that will ultimately lead them to be a Doctor of Pharmacy. Goad is also the president of the California Pharmacists Association.

Two students were coated by their fathers who are alumni of the school. They were Mari Kaneko, coated by Kevin Kaneko, and Rebecca Klevens, coated by Buzzy Klevens.

Kevin Kaneko is an assistant professor at the school and manager of ambulatory care pharmacy services at the USC Norris Cancer Hospital. Buzzy Klevens, a member of the school’s Board of Councilors, is the director of pharmacy services and programs for the Riverside County Regional Medical Center.

Cynthia Lieu, associate professor in the Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Economics & Policy, administered the “Oath of a Pharmacist” to the new students.

Fred Weissman, the school’s associate dean for academic and clinical affairs, offered the closing remarks. A reception was held on the quad for the Class of 2013, their family and friends.

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