BIDDEFORD – Jara K. Johnson, daughter of Christine Johnson of Lewiston, Jacquelyn Lea Allen, daughter of James and Wendy Allen of Auburn, Catherine Bagley, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. William Bagley of Lewiston, Meghann Lyons, daughter of Christie James of Farmington and Anthony Lyons of Auburn, all first-year students at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, participated recently in the college’s annual White Coat Ceremony to formally recognize the transition students make from lay persons to those assuming the responsibility of physicians.

The evening ceremony was held at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland on Oct. 9. Highlights included presentation of the “white coats” by members of the second-year class; remarks by Mark Henschke, DO, PharmD, associate physician with Appledore Medical Group of Portsmouth, N.H., and by second-year medical student Jennifer Duprey, president of the Student Osteopathic Medicine Association; and a reading of the Osteopathic Oath by UNE Trustee Diane Nugent, DO. A reception followed.