Lt. Jerome Barron, U.S. Army, was awarded his "White Coat" during a recent ceremony at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Lake Erie. A member of the college's class of 2014, Barron was one of 270 medical and 140 pharmacy students who were presented with a white coat and stethoscope by the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Organization.

The "White Coat Ceremony" symbolizes an important transition in the life of a medical/pharmacy school student, marking the student's entrance into the health care professions with all the traditions, accomplishments, rights and profound responsibilities to mankind. This is the first white coat of their healthcare careers. It signals the aspiring health care professional's initiation into a commitment to the highest principles related to the practice of medicine and pharmacy. Students are then ready to embark on the highest quality in medical education as they begin working with physicians and pharmacists in clinical courses and practices where they will learn more about partnering with their patients on a pathway to better health for their lifetimes.Lt. Barron is the son sof Duane and Michelle Barron of Tamaqua. He is a graduate of Tamaqua Area High School and Alvernia Univeristy. His sister, Erika, is a senior student at Susquehanna University. He is the grandson of Joseph and Marge Romano of Tamaqua.