BIDDEFORD — Shayna Shackford, daughter of Loren and Roberta Shackford of Buckfield, and Mina Assadollahzadeh, daughter of Mahin Mirmoezzi and Ahmad Alijabbari of Lewiston, both 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. 7.  A reception followed.