Fund the Pitt Student Occupational Therapy Association’s 2nd Annual Professional Pledge Ceremony

The Ceremony

The goal of this campaign is to provide the financial means for the University of Pittsburgh Student Occupational Therapy Association’s 2nd Annual Professional Pledge Ceremony. This event will recognize both the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) Class of 2021 and the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Class of 2022, as these students mark the end of their coursework and make the transition to the clinic. Students from these cohorts have been working to plan, organize, and execute this event from start to finish. Currently, our efforts are focused on adapting our ceremony to be virtual due to COVID-19 related circumstances. Despite the celebration being virtual, our cohorts are determined to create a memorable event for family, friends, faculty, and ourselves.

The White Coat

The Professional Pledge Ceremony is viewed by many as a rite of passage for future healthcare practitioners, as they promise to uphold the high standards set by our fellow clinicians around the world. The white coat symbolizes professionalism, caring, and trust which must be earned from the patients by the students. As students don their white coats, they assume the responsibility that comes with being an occupational therapist and move one step closer to becoming a practitioner who is dedicated to improving the lives of others and changing the world one patient at a time.

Our Vision

The University of Pittsburgh Student Occupational Therapy Association (UPSOTA) strives to engage all of its students and provide the most fulfilling and enriching student experience possible. Through this committee, students fundraise, create and plan events, discuss interprofessional opportunities, attend professional conventions for networking, and engage with the community. Fundraising by UPSOTA provides students with the opportunity to participate in as many of these programs as possible. Due to the recent pandemic, UPSOTA’s planned fundraising activities have been cancelled, leaving individual students financially responsible for their white coat for this ceremony during a time of financial hardship for many. Through fundraising, the Pitt MOT Class of 2021 and the OTD class of 2022 sincerely hope to raise sufficient funds to eliminate the financial burden, shifting students’ focus towards honoring their hard work and dedication.

After the Ceremony

Following the white coat ceremony, there may be leftover funds from the class’ fundraising efforts. Excess funds raised through this campaign will go directly to UPSOTA. These funds will then be available for UPSOTA students to use for educational enrichment purposes and providing opportunities outside of the classroom. Here are a few examples of what these excess funds would be used for: 

• Materials purchased for our laboratory experiences, travel to the American Occupational Therapy Association’s annual conference for student representation and networking
• Supplies needed to host community activities and events at schools for children with special needs, senior living centers, and community health programs
• Funds to participate in community events and advocacy.

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Contributions received for this project shall be used in accordance with the purpose described herein, the terms in the FAQs and applicable law. For questions that cannot be answered in the FAQs, please call 412-383-5001 or email engage@pitt.edu.