BIDDEFORD – Sarah White, daughter of Donald and Janice White of Bangor, participated recently in the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine’s annual White Coat Ceremony to formally recognize the transition students make from lay person to those assuming the responsibility of physicians. White is a first-year student at the college.

The college’s 10th annual White Coat Ceremony was held Oct. 5 in Portland. Highlights included presentation of the white coats by members of the second-year class; remarks by Dr. William G. Anderson, associate dean of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine; remarks by second-year medical student Lisa Wuerdman, president of the Student Osteopathic Medicine Association; and a reading of the Osteopathic Oath by Charlotte Paolini, president of the college’s alumni board. A reception to honor the Class of 2010 followed.

The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine is Maine’s only medical school and the only osteopathic medical school in New England. The college is dedicated to the education of primary care physicians and is a leader in biomedical research. The college has been nationally recognized for educational excellence in primary care, geriatric and osteopathic manipulative medicine.