CDU Honors 205 Nursing Students at 2026 White Coat Ceremony
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) welcomed 205 nursing students into the next phase of their healthcare journey during the Mervyn M. Dymally College of Nursing’s (MMDCON) 2026 White Coat Ceremony.
The milestone event recognized students across a dozen cohorts and programs, including LVN-BSN (Cohort 2), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Cohorts 8 and 9), Entry-Level Master’s (Cohorts 31 and 32), Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Cohorts 21, 22, and 23), and Family Nurse Practitioner programs (Cohorts 41, 42, 43, and 44).
The White Coat Ceremony is a time-honored tradition in healthcare education that honors students who are beginning their journey into clinical practice or are already licensed healthcare practitioners entering a new phase of their training. Soon, they will begin working with patients across a network of more than 100 clinical sites, each selected to support their development while advancing CDU’s commitment to serving underserved communities.
During the ceremony, MMDCON Dean, Dr. Leah FitzGerald reflected on the legacies of Dr. Charles R. Drew and Mervyn M. Dymally, underscoring the deeper purpose behind the moment.
“From the beginning, CDU stood as a beacon for a community too often overlooked and rooted in the conviction that excellence in health education must be inclusive, accessible, and just,” she said.
“As we celebrate this milestone, we remember why we’re here: to advance Mervyn M. Dymally’s vision for opportunity, to embody Dr. Charles R. Drew’s standard of service, and to prepare nurses to lead with compassion, courage, and skill,” Dr. FitzGerald added. “Their legacies are not simply remembered here, they are lived here every day, in every classroom, in every nurse who steps into the world, carrying the promise CDU.”
The significance of the day was felt throughout the ceremony, especially as family members, friends, and loved ones took part in coating their students.
For Raynetta Cashin-Charles, an Entry-Level Master’s student, the moment was especially meaningful. She and her wife, Selina Cashin-Charles, also a student in the same program, transitioned into nursing after careers in aviation.
The couple shared a powerful moment on stage, placing white coats on one another while being joined by their daughter.
“To stand there with my wife, who is in the program with me, and having our baby on stage with us is something I can’t fully put into words,” she said. “It was just beautiful.”
For Chaz Lawery, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing student, the ceremony represented both achievement and remembrance.
“This day is very symbolic for me and my family,” Lawery said. “I’m one step closer to becoming a registered nurse. My brother wanted to be a registered nurse but he passed away, so it’s important for me to honor his legacy in this way.”
Students took a solemn oath at the conclusion of the ceremony, pledging to uphold the values of integrity, service, and excellence as they move into clinical training and beyond. CDU’s newest cohorts of nursing students now stand ready to lead with compassion and make a lasting impact on the communities they will serve.