White Coat Ceremony

Nancy A. Mason, PharmD

Nancy Mason earned both her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and PharmD degrees from the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy.  She began her career as a staff pharmacist at University of Michigan Health System, and after graduating with her PharmD, became Assistant Director of Pharmacy at Chelsea Community Hospital.   She moved to the College of Pharmacy in 1988 as a clinical faculty member.  She developed a specialization in nephrology pharmacy, where she focused her teaching, clinical practice and research on the pharmacotherapy of patients receiving dialysis.  During this time, she was also a co-founder of her company, Renal Pharmacy Consultants. From 2004-2011 she served as Director of Experiential Training and Community Engagement.  In 2011 she was promoted to Clinical Professor and appointed Associate Dean of Student Affairs. Since her retirement in 2020, she has stayed involved with the College of Pharmacy working with student research projects and serving as an instructor for Mental Health First Aid. In her retirement, Dr. Mason also serves as a coach for “Girls on the Run” which complements her interests in running and hiking.  She also likes to travel and spend time with her family and friends at their cabin up north.

General Information:

• This year's venue is at Hill Auditorium.
• Please plan to arrive early; doors open 45 minutes before the start of the Ceremony.
• Masks are required for in-person events for everyone (see Health and Safety protocols in the section below)
• Please turn off all cell phones.
• Ceremony will start promptly at 4:30 pm.
• Due to COVID restrictions no food or beverages will be served at the event this year.

After Ceremony:

• Student cohort photo will be taken on the steps of Rackham immediately following the ceremony.
• Congratulations!

AIR TRAVEL
Detroit International Airport (DTW) is the airport nearest Ann Arbor.  Travel time from DTW to Ann Arbor is approximately 25 minutes. 

ACCOMMODATIONS 
Bell Tower
300 South Thayer
Ann Arbor, MI  48104
(734) 769-3010
belltowerhotel.com

Graduate Ann Arbor 
615 E. Huron St.
Ann Arbor, MI  48109
(734) 769-2200
graduateannarbor.com

A complete list of accommodations in the Ann Arbor area can be found at: visitannarbor.org/accommodations/hotels

PARKING
The Thayer Street, Fletcher, and Palmer parking structure will be open and available for visitors on White Coat Ceremony day. The Thayer structure is located at: 216 S. Thayer Street., Fletcher structure is located at 121 Fletcher Street, and Palmer structure is located at Washtenaw and Palmer Drive.

The Thayer, Fletcher, and Palmer Structures will be open beginning at 3:30pm.  Please note that at the Palmer Structure only the UM Employee Blue parking area is available.

A link to campus maps that including parking locations can be found at: maps.studentlife.umich.edu/

DINING
A complete list of restaurants in the Ann Arbor area can be found at: visitannarbor.org/dining

The following protocols will be in place for guests to attend the White Coat Ceremony:

Masks

Face masks that cover the nose and mouth are required for all participants, regardless of vaccination status.  All masks must meet CDC standards; those arriving without appropriate face coverings will be provided with a disposable face mask. Neck gaiters, bandanas, and masks with exhalation valves or vents are not permitted. Masks must be worn for the duration of the event. Guests who refuse to keep their masks on will be asked to leave the venue.

Vaccines & Testing

Guests should be fully vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of the event.   Fully vaccinated means you received your second dose before September 13 (two weeks post 2^nd dose before the event date).   CDC and UM Public Health guidelines suggest that indoor events are safest if everyone is vaccinated or has a negative COVID-19 PCR test, and wears a mask.  Guests should be aware that if they do not comply with these guidelines they put themselves and others at risk.  The event will be livestreamed so anyone that is not fully vaccinated or recently tested or does not successfully pass the guest health screening questions should plan to watch the event live at home.

Guest Health Screening

ALL Guests must complete the ResponsiBLUE GUEST screening survey the day of the event before entering Hill Auditorium.

 Guest health screening survey at responsiblue.umich.edu 

Guests that do not pass the health screening survey are not permitted to enter Hill Auditorium; parents with children that do not pass the health screening survey must not bring those children into Hill Auditorium. 

If a guest or any family member is feeling ill or unwell, do not attempt to enter Hill Auditorium.  Stay home and watch the event on livestream.

Venue Safety

AIR HANDLING AND FILTRATION

Hill Auditorium complies with UM venues that have excellent ventilation and use MERV 13 filters in the air handling systems in all facilities. Venues provide at least four and up to 11 air changes per hour. Ventilation systems are operated for at least two hours before and two hours after occupancy to ensure full purging of air in those spaces. These guidelines meet both the CDC and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers recommendations for COVID-19.

Seating

Seating in Hill Auditorium is open; there are no assigned seats for guests.  Based on the latest CDC guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals, we will not require physically distanced seating in the Auditorium.  Guests may be sitting directly next to, in front of, or behind you. If this makes you uncomfortable, you may look for other open seats in the venue, if available.  Based on previous event attendance records, we expect a lot of extra seating available in Hill Auditorium that will more than accommodate our expected volume.  The back of the house on the main floor and the Mezzanine sections will be open to guests.

ARRIVAL TIMES

We anticipate that the venue will open for guests and seating will begin approximately 45 minutes prior to the published start time.  We recommend arriving no later than 30 minutes before the start time. Once you have entered, please avoid crowding in the lobby.