In a ceremony rich with tradition, reflection, and pride, the George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) Physician Assistant (PA) Class of 2025 gathered at Lisner Auditorium on May 17 to mark the Long White Coat Celebration — the symbolic transition from student to clinician. The annual celebration featured the presentation of multiple awards recognizing achievements in areas such as community service, leadership, academic excellence, research, and professionalism.
This year’s event held special significance for the class of 2025. The 64-member cohort represents the first PA class to complete their training in the school’s third century, a distinction that placed their achievement within the broader legacy of GW SMHS’s long-standing commitment to health care education and leadership.
Bart Gillum, DSc, PA-C, program director and assistant professor of PA studies, opened the event, welcoming graduates and their families. He highlighted the legacy and contributions of the first PA class, four Vietnam veterans who graduated from Duke University, and the challenged they faced burdened with not only providing care for patients in need, but also by establishing the legitimacy of a fledgling profession. Gillum encouraged the graduates to uphold those standards of professionalism, compassion, and patient-centered care to advance the profession.
“They were ardent patient advocates, and they didn't back down when other clinicians assumed their knowledge was lacking because of the letters behind their name,” Gillum said. “As you venture forth in your career, I implore you, the GW PA Class of 2025, to remember the legacy of those whose shoulders we stand on. Let us never forget that we are part of a larger community — a community of healers, innovators, and trailblazers.”
The Power and Privilege of the White Coat
Barbara Lee Bass, MD, RESD ’86, FACS, vice president for health affairs, and dean of GW SMHS, Walter A. Bloedorn Chair of Administrative Medicine, and professor of surgery, reminded graduates of the dual meaning the white coat carries — as both privilege and responsibility.
“The symbolism of what that white coat means — relative to the trust you will earn from your patients, from your society, from the people that you'll interact with — really gives you both a burden of performance, kindness, and compassion, and skill,” she said. “But it also offers you a great privilege of being recognized for those talents.”
Bass acknowledged the growing importance of PAs in the health care landscape, calling them “foundational” to the future of medicine.
Reflections of Resilience and Purpose
Student speaker Anisa Amiji, PA/MPH ’25, offered a reflection on the demanding path to becoming a PA.
“People will tell you PA school is hard, but it's not until you’re in it that you understand the mental fortitude and emotional stamina it takes to keep going,” said Amiji. “When pre-PA students ask me what’s the hardest aspect about PA school, I often say, ‘It’s having to keep school as your main focus when life does not pause.’”
Amiji recalled the many celebrations along the two-year journey — engagements, marriages, new pets, publications, and marathons. “We've organizes blood drives, advocates for the PA profession on Capitol Hill, and inspired the next generation by teaching high school students about what it means to be a PA.
“Through our lived experience we've seen that first-hand, PAs don't need to fit into a box,” she said. “Our field is a young and growing profession with space to advance research, education, and advocacy.”
Honoring a Career of Service
“You’ll remember these past two years as among the most trying of your life,” keynote speaker Susan LeLacheur, DrPH ’08, MPH ’89, PA-C, BS ’82, professor of physician assistant studies, told the graduates. “But now comes the real work.”
In the face of an evolving health care landscape, LeLacheur urged graduates to embrace the rapid evolution of medicine, including advances in genetics, AI, and technology, while leaning into the distinctly human attributes of care, communication, and empathy.
“I know it may seem like a lot of people are indifferent, or even promoting division and hatred,” she said. “But the world actually keeps getting better, and healthier … everywhere you look.
“How can I be sure that everything is getting better, when it really doesn't seem that way right now?” she asked. “Well, mostly I see it in you.”
Recognizing Excellence
As part of the ceremony, the following graduates were honored for their exceptional achievements in both the classroom and the community.
Erica Chamberlain, PA/MPH ’25, received the Community Service Award, presented to the graduate who, in their time in the program, demonstrated a selfless commitment to service to the local community, particularly those who are underserved.
Samuel Harcourt, PA/MPH ’25, and Emily Scott, PA ’25, shared this year’s Leadership Award. The honor is presented to the graduates who demonstrated exemplary leadership while in the program, and at the local and national level.
Taylor Burman, PA ’25, and Rachel Macey, PA/MPH ’25, received the Academic Excellence Award in recognition of the exceptional academic achievements of a graduate in both the didactic and the clinical phases of training.
The Publication Award, presented to graduates who contributed to research through acceptance and publication of a manuscript during their tenure at GW, went to four graduates; Anisa Amiji, PA/MPH ’25, Olivia Keller, PA ’25, Shay Lukas, PA/MPH ’25, and Maxwell Rooney, PA/MPH ’25.
Amiji also took home the Professionalism Award, presented to the graduate whose conduct and competence personify the traits of the PA Professional, positively represented in our program in the community. Amiji also took home the Professionalism Award, presented to the graduate whose conduct and competence personify the traits of the PA Professional, positively represented in our program in the community.
Maeve Swackhamer, PA ’25, received the 2025 Humanitarian award for her consistent commitment to the well-being of others, whether through compassionate peer support, fostering community, or extending kindness and generosity to those entering the program.
The Road Ahead
Mary Waner, DBH, PA-C, chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies, closed the ceremony with a personal story from her own white coat celebration more than 30 years ago. Recalling her uncle’s words, “Now you look like someone who could take care of me,” she underscored how far the graduates had come.
“You’ll remember this experience,” Waner said. “Because as you've heard earlier today, this is one of the hardest things to do. For many years afterwards, I always said, ‘Well, I got through PA school, so I can get through this.’ ”
