PICA to Sponsor Barry Podiatric Rite of Passage

The Barry University Division of Medicine is pleased to announce that Podiatry Insurance Company of America (PICA) has generously committed to being the exclusive sponsor of the School of Podiatric Medicine White Coat Ceremony for the next five years. According to Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean of the School of Podiatric Medicine, Dr. Chet Evans, “This magnanimous gift demonstrates the dedication and commitment that PICA has to this important rite of passage for the podiatric medical students at Barry, which recognizes the completion of their didactic studies and entry into the clinical training component of their podiatric medical education. Our students are sincerely grateful to PICA for their support,” he said.

The Rite of Passage Ceremony continues a tradition at Barry University for podiatric medical students. The clinical lab coats presented to the students have been recognized since ancient times as the attire of the medical profession. When the Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine was founded in 1985, there were only eighteen students, no clinics, and only one hospital affiliation. Now, the School has nearly 200 podiatric medical students with over 250 hospital based externships, an affiliated three-year surgical residency training program, four Foot and Ankle Institutes, and over 900 podiatric medical graduates.

The next Rite of Passage Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 30, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. at the Broad Center for the Performing Arts on the Barry University campus in Miami Shores. Dr. Evans indicated that PICA committed support of $5,000 per year for the next five years, amounting to a gift of $25,000. This gift next year will place PICA in the Barry University Society of Founders, a giving club that recognizes those who have given a gift of $50,000 or more to Barry. PICA will be honored at the Barry University Founders’ Ball and will have a plaque placed in their honor in Barry’s Founders’ Walk.

Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine, Class of 2009