Photo gallery: A very busy Friday at NEOMED

Friday, Aug. 22, was a busy day on the NEOMED campus.

The day capped off a week of orientation that culminated in smiles and celebration as students in the Bitonte College of Dentistry and the College of Pharmacy donned their white coats for the first time.

The inaugural class of the Bitonte College of Dentistry includes 52 students, 32 of whom are from Ohio. The College of Pharmacy welcomed 54 students.

In between the white coat ceremonies, dignitaries and donors visited campus for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for NEOMED’s newest college. Special guests Dr. Gary Bitonte, Dr. David Bitonte, Ohio Lt. Governor Jim Tressel and Ohio Rep. Heidi Workman were among the speakers at the event.

PHOTO GALLERY

BITONTE COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY WHITE COAT CEREMONY

Dean Sorin Teich, D.M.D, (center) recognized Drs. David (left) and Gary Bitonte, whose family foundation provided a leadership gift to make the Bitonte College of Dentistry a reality. 

Lily Dinh, the first student admitted into the Bitonte College of Dentistry, hands her white coat to faculty coaters Dr. Richard Kasmer (left) and Dr. Renato Roperto. 

Newly coated students read their professional oath. 

College of Medicine alumnus Andrew Deak, D.D.S., M.D. ('04), gave the alumni address.

RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY

Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Bitonte College of Dentistry. From left: Dr. Kristin Victoroff, associate dean; Dr. Sorin Teich, dean; Dr. Frank Beck, dean emeritus; Lily Dinh, the first student admitted to the new College; Dr. David Bitonte and Dr. Gary Bitonte, whose family foundation supported the development of the new College; NEOMED President Dr. John Langell, Darrell McNair, chair of the NEOMED Board of Trustees; Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel; and Ohio Rep. Heidi Workman of the 72nd House District. 

The Bitonte brothers greeted students as they enter the dental clinic for the first time. 

Lt. Governor Jim Tressel holds the door open for students as they enter the dental clinic. 

Photos above: Families, dignitaries and donors enjoyed self-guided tours of the Simulaton Lab and The Blessed Family Dental Clinic.

Lt. Governor Jim Tressel and an aide test out one of the dental examination spaces. 

COLLEGE OF PHARMACY WHITE COAT CEREMONY

Dean Dr. Kathryn Tromp, Board of Trustees Chair Darrell McNair, NEOMED President Dr. John Langell and Provost Dr. Forrest Faison. 

Dr. Kelechi C. Ogbonna, dean of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, delivers the keynote address.

Dean Dr. Kathryn Tromp presents the Dean's Leadership Award to Dr. Prabodh Sadana, who guided the College of Pharmacy through its recent accreditation process. 

Pharmacy students recite their professional oath.