Graduate students in Florida State University’s Dietetic Internship were honored during the 2026 White Coat Ceremony, marking the beginning of their supervised practice experiences and clinical rotations. The annual ceremony celebrates students’ transition from classroom learning to hands-on service as future registered dietitians.
Graduate students in Florida State University’s Dietetic Internship were honored with white coats on Friday, April 24, during an evening ceremony held at the Claude Pepper Center’s Broad Auditorium. Surrounded by family, friends, faculty, staff, alumni, and preceptors, students donned their white coats, symbolizing their transition into supervised practice and the next phase of their training as future registered dietitians.
Photo Album Live Stream Recording
Each student was called onstage individually by Lisa Griffiths, chair of the Department of Health, Nutrition & Food Sciences, and coated by Dietetic Internship Program Director Lisa Trone.
The honored students have completed the academic coursework required to begin supervised practice experiences in clinical nutrition, community nutrition, and food service systems management.
Anne’s College Dean Damon Andrew delivered opening remarks and reflected on the significance of the white coat as both a professional symbol and an important milestone in the students’ journeys toward becoming registered dietitians.
“On top of representing our college, FSU, and FSU Health, the white coat is symbolic and marks an important rite of passage as students work to become registered dietitians,” Andrew said. “Those who wear the white coat embody professionalism, compassion, and care.”
Andrew emphasized that the ceremony marks the transition from classroom learning to hands-on service and reminded students of the important role dietitians play across healthcare and community settings.
“As you receive your white coat this evening, remember it marks your entry into a profession defined by trust, skill, integrity, and empathy,” Andrew said. “Dietetics is a distinct field that impacts every stage of life and community.”
He also encouraged students to carry forward the university’s values of strength, skill, and character as they begin their supervised practice experiences.
As part of the ceremony, students participated in the reading of a dietetic oath, pledging to uphold the values of integrity, professionalism, and evidence-based care throughout their careers.
The ceremony also featured a keynote address from Sam Kramer, a registered dietitian and alumnus of Florida State University’s dietetic internship and sports nutrition graduate program. Kramer currently serves as director of innovation and nutrition science at International Vitamin Corporation and spoke to students about adaptability, career growth, and the value of embracing opportunities throughout their professional journeys.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, several students were recognized with awards honoring leadership, service, perseverance, and contributions to the program:
Rachel Burke, Gianna Morse, and Kerri Peterson
Recognizes students who demonstrate commitment, pride, and a positive attitude in all tasks—those who remain focused and determined even when challenges seem overwhelming.
Josie Ariet and Laura Suarez Morales
Honors students who have made a significant impact on the program through service and leadership, consistently going above and beyond to support FSU Dietetics and serve as role models for their peers.
Madi Lemons
Presented to a student who exemplifies innovation, initiative, and leadership across all areas of the program, helping to further its mission through excellence and engagement.
Dietetic interns are pursuing master’s degrees in exercise physiology, with either a sports nutrition or nutrition and food science major. The internship requires a minimum of 1,200 supervised practice hours and serves as the final step before students are eligible to sit for the national registration examination to become registered dietitians.
The 2026 event marked the fourth year Anne’s College has recognized dietetic interns with a White Coat Ceremony.
Watch the live stream of the ceremony:
