Commissioning Ceremony

2022 White Coat Commissioning Ceremony 

The White Coat Commissioning Ceremony is an annual event at UHC which commemorates student progression as they begin their work with patients. It also recognizes the spiritual dimension of nursing practice, a foundation of UHC's nursing program. The Campus Minister anoints the hands of each student with oil, used as a base for medicine in ancient times, and requests the divine blessing that each student's hands be used as instruments of healing.

“As nursing students enter their sophomore year and begin their actual clinical education, we at UHC recognize this important milestone with this special blessing," explains Patricia Prechter, RN, MSN, EdD, Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. "Understanding that nursing has a spiritual dimension is the basis for all we do academically at UHC."

More than 1000 nursing graduates of UHC practice in the metro New Orleans area. UHC offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The nursing program distinguishes itself with high rates of passing the national licensure examination.