DKICP Alumni Inspires and Motivates New Students in White Coat Ceremony Keynote Address

Dr. Chaz Barit, associate chief of pharmacy at the Veterans Administration (VA) Pacific Islands Health Care System and alumnus of the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy (DKICP) served as the keynote speaker for the White Coat Ceremony for the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Class of 2029. During an inspirational ceremony, Dr. Barit shared his mana’o with our future pharmacy leaders, along with his best wishes for the college and next generation who will continue healing Hawai’i. The text of his speech follows.

“Aloha mai kākou,

It is an incredible honor to stand before you today as the keynote speaker for the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy White Coat Ceremony for the Class of 2029. To the students, faculty, staff, families, and friends gathered here, thank you for welcoming me back to this special place that shaped my journey as a pharmacist. Students, as you don your white coats, I invite you to reflect on the profound significance of this moment. You are not just beginning a program; you are stepping into a legacy of service, innovation, and the acceptance of the sacred responsibility of healing.

Let me take you back to 2006, when my own path to pharmacy began. I was an undergraduate student, learning in a lo’i kalo wetland taro farm in Maunawili Valley, my hands deep in the rich, fertile soil of the land while taking a native Hawaiian nutrition course from the University of Hawaii. That experience wasn’t just about learning native nutrition; it was about understanding the deep connection between the land, people, and the art of healing by understanding our environment. It was there, that my passion for healing others took root. That moment propelled me forward, to complete my studies and earn my Doctor of Pharmacy right here at DKICP in 2012. Today, as the Associate Chief of Pharmacy at the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System, I can tell you that every step of that journey—the late nights, the challenges, the triumphs—has been worth it.

As you stand here today, you are rooted in the same fertile educational grounds of DKICP—a place that will anchor you, nourish you, and prepare you to become pharmacists that the world needs.

In Hawaii, medicine and practitioners are no stranger. Our profession aligns closely with Hawai’i’s traditional practice of lā‘au lapa‘au, the ancient Hawaiian practice of healing with plants. In lā‘au lapa‘au, practitioners carefully selected plants from the land, blending their knowledge of nature with deep respect for the body and spirit to restore balance and health. Each plant was chosen with purpose, its properties harnessed to heal not just the physical ailment but the person as a whole. Like these practitioners, you will be trained here at DKICP to blend wisdom, science, and compassion, drawing from the roots of knowledge to grow into pharmacists who heal with precision and care. Your education is your foundation, like the fertile soil of our islands, nurturing you to stand tall and resilient as you face the challenges of pharmacy—whether mastering complex pharmacotherapy, navigating evolving healthcare systems, or balancing the demands of professional and personal life.

Today, as you don your white coat for the first time, you are embracing a symbol that carries profound weight. The white coat is more than a piece of fabric; it is a visible promise to your patients, your community, and yourself. It represents trust—trust that patients place in you to guide them through their most vulnerable moments. It signifies professionalism, a commitment to uphold the highest standards of ethics and competence. And it embodies service, a pledge to prioritize the well-being of others above all else. When I put on my white coat for the first time here at DKICP, I felt the weight of that responsibility settle on my shoulders, but also the strength it gave me to push forward in my journey to heal others as a pharmacist. As you wear your white coat, let it remind you of the kuleana—the sacred duty—you carry to heal, to listen, and to lead with aloha. It is a mantle that connects you to every pharmacist who has come before you and to the countless lives you will touch in the years ahead.

This kuleana is deeply tied to the vision embodied in the name of our college: the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy. Senator Daniel K. Inouye was a true son of Hawai‘i—a resident who rose from humble beginnings in Honolulu to become a decorated veteran of World War II, earning the Medal of Honor for his bravery despite losing an arm in battle. As a U.S. Senator, he championed the causes closest to our hearts: improving healthcare access for all Hawai‘i residents, supporting our veterans, and fostering education that uplifts our communities. He envisioned a Hawai‘i where every person—regardless of background—could thrive, with strong healthcare systems that honor our cultural heritage and address the unique needs of our islands. By studying here at DKICP, you are called to represent that vision. As future pharmacists, you have the opportunity to honor Senator Inouye’s legacy by serving others with the same dedication he showed, by advocating for equitable healthcare that reaches rural and underserved areas, and by embodying the aloha spirit that he lived every day. Let his story inspire you to wear your white coat with pride and purpose, building a healthier world.

Your white coat also represents your role as a healer, and healing is not just about dispensing medications or treating symptoms. It’s about seeing the whole person: their physical health, their emotional well-being, their cultural values, and their place within their family and community, much like the holistic approach of our traditional practitioners. In my work at the VA, serving the largest geographical area in the system covering 4.8 million square miles—spanning Hawai‘i, American Samoa, Guam, and Saipan—I’ve learned that healthcare is a tapestry woven from collaboration, empathy, and a global outlook. Our health profession colleagues rely on us deeply, because without the expertise of pharmacists in medications, it is truly hard to practice medicine. You are the stewards of pharmaceutical care ensuring that every treatment is not only scientifically sound and clinically effective, but also thoughtfully tailored to the unique needs of each patient. Your white coat is a reminder that every prescription you fill, every patient you treat and counsel, is an opportunity to restore balance and well-being.

But your role will extend far beyond the prescription counter or treatment rooms. The white coat you wear today empowers you to redefine what pharmacy can be. When I started as a clinical pharmacy practitioner at the VA, I experienced firsthand how I, as a pharmacist could expand the roles of pharmacy: prescribing medications, ordering labs and studies, and managing chronic conditions for thousands of veterans. I have treated patients in primary and specialty care fields, collaborated with providers to improve patient outcomes, and led initiatives to enhance medication safety across our vast network. These experiences taught me that pharmacy is not a static field—it’s a dynamic force for change. I challenge you to push the boundaries of what pharmacy can be. Don’t settle for what is; dream of what could be. Wear your white coat as a badge of courage—an emblem of innovation and advocacy—as you champion the integration of pharmacists into untraditional roles, reaching beyond the dispensary to lead in public health, policy-making, digital therapeutics, and patient-centered care.

One of the most exciting ways to do this is by embracing new technologies. From automated dispensing systems, to data analytics that drive cost-effective care and predict health trends, technology is transforming how we practice. But remember, technology is not a replacement for your expertise—it’s a complement that amplifies it, much like how traditional healers used their knowledge of plants alongside their understanding of the human spirit. Imagine harnessing artificial intelligence to design drug regimens so precisely tailored they respond to your genetic makeup, lifestyle, and even microbiome—transforming treatment from a one-size-fits-all approach into a symphony of personalized care. This is the future of pharmacy, and you're the generation that will bring it to life. As pharmacists, you have the opportunity to lead the integration of these tools into healthcare, ensuring they enhance patient outcomes while preserving the human connection that your white coat represents. Be bold. Experiment. Innovate. And know that your roots here at DKICP, will anchor you as you take those risks, providing a foundation of knowledge and community.

Yet, as you reach for new horizons, never forget where you come from. Hawai‘i is not just a place; it’s a way of living, a commitment to aloha, to community, and to giving back. Throughout my career, I’ve been privileged to serve our islands in ways beyond the pharmacy. Whether coaching high school football teams and mentoring young athletes on discipline and teamwork—or participating in community education sessions to improve health in my rural North Shore community, I’ve seen the profound impact of stepping outside the clinic to connect with people. Your white coat is a call to serve not just in the pharmacy but in the heart of our communities, and there are countless opportunities ahead that I urge you to seize.

Volunteer at health fairs to educate families on medication safety, chronic disease management, and preventive care—events like these allow you to wear your white coat in service to the public while honing your communication skills. Participate in community events, such as cultural festivals or environmental initiatives like beach cleanups and build connections with the people you’ll serve. Run for class officer positions here at DKICP to develop leadership skills, foster collaboration among your peers, and shape the culture of your cohort. Join professional organizations, such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists or local pharmacy associations, to network with leaders in the field, advocate for policy changes, and contribute to the advancement of pharmacy practice. These opportunities will not only enrich your education but also prepare you to be well-rounded pharmacists who lead with heart, action, and a commitment to service, carrying the values of your white coat into every endeavor.

Your journey won’t always be easy. The rigors of pharmacy school—the intense coursework, the demanding clinical rotations, the pressure of balancing studies with life—will test you in ways you can’t yet imagine. I remember the long nights poring over pharmacotherapy cases, the anxiety of my first patient interactions during student rotations, and the weight of making decisions that directly impact lives. There will be moments of doubt, exhaustion, and even failure. But let me tell you—it’s all worth it. Every challenge you face will forge you into a stronger, more compassionate pharmacist.

As you put on your white coat today, I urge you to embrace your kuleana with courage, vision, and commitment. See yourselves as healers, innovators, and community leaders. Wear your white coat as a symbol of trust, professionalism, and service, and let it inspire you to expand the horizons of pharmacy, not just for yourselves, but for those who will follow in your footsteps. Use your knowledge to heal, your creativity to innovate, your opportunities to lead, and your heart to serve. And always, always carry the spirit of Hawai‘i with you—wherever your journey takes you.

Mahalo piha for allowing me to share this moment with you. Congratulations on making it to this point in your lives. Your path is clear, your potential is boundless, and your future is radiant. Go forth and make us proud.”