Stephens College Celebrates PA Class of 2027 at Annual White Coat Ceremony
The culmination of years of hard work, countless hours of studying and the desire to help others led to Friday’s White Coat Ceremony for the Physician Assistant Program. 28 students received their white coats. This is a monumental moment marking their transition from didactic training to clinical rotations where they will put into practice their patient care skills.
The ceremony signifies the midway point of the college’s intensive 27-month graduate curriculum, concluding 13 months of foundational medical education based in Sampson Hall and initiating 14 months of clinical rotations.
“The White Coat Ceremony marks a pivotal transition from classroom learning to clinical patient care,” said PA Program Director Dr. Megan Blakemore. “When our students put on their coats, they accept a mantle of deep responsibility and a profound promise to their future patients, their peers and themselves to deliver compassionate, high-quality care.”
Dedicated to Patients, Driven to Lead
Stephens College’s PA Program is built around transforming students into skilled clinicians who lead within interprofessional medical teams. The white coat serves as a physical reminder of the ethical standard students pledge to uphold as they enter exam rooms and surgical suites.
“To me, it’s going out and taking care of people with compassion, treating them like humans and not just a diagnosis,” said Class of ‘27 PA student, Kelsey Mundy.
The emphasis on empathy resonates across the cohort. Fellow classmate Eric Van Delden described the ceremony as both humbling and energizing.
“We are celebrating the end of our didactic year and going into our clinical year – and the start of our professional journey into becoming an official PA and celebrating all of our hard work so far,” Van Delden said.
Getting to this point requires relentless determination. Mundy worked in healthcare for three years after earning her bachelor’s degree before applying to PA school. Like many in the competitive field, she navigated a rigorous application cycle before finding her home at Stephens.
“It takes a lot of work, and it’s a career path that is really expanding,” said Mundy. “The white coat essentially celebrates all of that hard work – now we get to celebrate and help people.”
Proven Outcomes and Rigorous Training
Stephens College PA graduates consistently perform among the nation’s best. The program boasts a 95% five-year first-time pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). Most recently, the Cohort of 2025 achieved a 97% first-time pass rate, surpassing the national average of 91%.
Students attribute their readiness to small class cohorts, accessible faculty, and hands-on skill development through partnerships with regional healthcare institutions, including Boone Hospital and MU Healthcare.
“One of the things I really enjoyed about Stephens was the smaller class sizes,” said Van Delden. “I definitely feel like I was able to build a better connection with my classmates and professors.”
“They put us through a lot of different scenarios. We do a lot of skills training,” Mundy said, noting that upperclassmen frequently secure job offers prior to graduation. “I think they genuinely do a good job preparing us here.”
Broad Clinical Horizons
Over the next 14 months, the cohort will complete eight specialized six-week rotations. Clinical Director Dr. Hilary Wilson coordinates diverse placement opportunities ranging from rural clinics to major regional hospitals.
Mundy will complete multiple rotations to include internal medicine at the VA Hospital. Mundy will complete her other rotations include Orthopedic surgery, Pediatrics, Family Medicine, and Psychiatry rotations across Missouri, Colorado, and Iowa. Van Delden will begin his rotation in Moberly, Missouri, focusing on women’s health with Medical Director, Dr. Craig McCoy before moving on to his next clinical rotation.
With strong community roots, personalized faculty mentorship, and a curriculum centered on high standards, Stephens College continues to deliver on its mission: educating physician assistants who combine clinical precision with profound empathy.
Ceremony Highlights
