On the first day of National Medical Laboratory Professional Week, Dean of the School of Health Sciences, Dr. Meenakshi Malik, presided over the 2026 White Coat Ceremony honoring nearly 20 students in the clinical laboratory sciences’ bachelor and master’s programs, and the master’s in cytotechnology and molecular cytology.
Dr. Malik was joined by Clinical Laboratory Sciences’ Program Director, Dr. Michele Parent, and Cytotechnology and Molecular Cytology Program Director, Dr. Jenna LeBlanc ’13, who spoke to students about the significance of the white coat.
The annual tradition of a white coat ceremony symbolizes a commitment by students to become competent and caring professionals. The cloaking is performed by faculty members of the College, who have the responsibility of guiding students onto their career paths.
Following guest remarks and cloaking of white coats, students recited the CLS Pledge to the Profession and Cytotechnology Code of Conduct.
Alumni and ACPHS instructors, Esperanza Colon, ’21, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM and Caleigh-Shea Murphy ’20, MS, CT(ASCP)CM, CT(IAC) shared their insight as new professionals welcoming these students to the profession.
The students receiving their white coats included:
Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences
- Julia Bahrmann
- Makenzie Begore
- Jordan Burns
- Cecilia Chen
- Abigail Hotaling
- Madison Lovell
- Jacqueline Victoreen
Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences
- Ray Cruz
- Elias Morales
- Kyle Stranger
Master of Science in Cytotechnology and Molecular Cytology
- Oliwia Antosiewicz
- Jasmine Breaux
- Audrey DeGraw
- Kaira Hosnedl
- Yuki Li
- Courtney MacDonald
- Maria Zuniga Romero
- Debbie Stenzel
Both clinical lab scientists and cytotechnologists play essential roles on the health-care team as they provide laboratory information and services needed for the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
The bachelor’s and master’s program in Clinical Laboratory Sciences are hosted in person on campus, while the master’s program in Cytotechnology and Molecular Cytology has both an in-person mode and a hybrid mode. The hybrid mode connects with affiliates for hands-on training at satellite sites supervised by licensed cytotechnologists, currently available at UHS Wilson, Johnson City, NY; Arnot Ogden, Elmira, NY; Health First Holmes Regional Medical Center, Melbourne, Florida; and Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, Madison, WI.
The time-honored event, held at the Gozzo Student Center on the ACPHS campus, included students’ family and friends and culminated with a reception in the Rite Aid Lounge.
View a full photo gallery from the event.
Social