New Rockford native shares values at NDSU White Coat Ceremony

Dr. Kristin Allmaras-Helgerson, daughter of Judy and Tim Allmaras, has been commended by her colleagues and employers for her work at Southcentral Foundation of the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage. Allmaras-Helgerson is an integrated pharmacist, working hand-in-hand with individuals who have made the life-changing decision to receive addiction treatment. With a warm and engaging demeanor, she supports their efforts during suboxone inductions, serves as a pharmacy contact to bridge the gap between the departments and supports continuity of care for this vulnerable population. In addition, she is also a lieutenant in the U.S. Public Health Service.

The Southcentral Foundation has recognized Allmaras-Helgerson for her work with the Living Our Values award, especially acknowledging her listening abilities and calm demeanor, which allows each individuals to feel welcome and safe when sharing their story. This Alaska Native-owned, nonprofit health care organization serves nearly 65,000 Alaska Native and American Indian people living in Anchorage, Matanuska-Susitna Valley and 55 rural villages.

Allmaras-Helgerson received her doctorate of pharmacy degree from North Dakota State University in 2015, and recently had the opportunity to return to the campus for a great honor- delivering the keynote address to student pharmacists at the NDSU White Coat Ceremony.

Prior to delivering the keynote message to the 78 student pharmacists, Allmaras-Helgerson carefully considered the impact she wanted to bestow on the young, impressionable students. In one word it came down to professionalism.

"The white coat is a symbol of professionalism," she said in an article she wrote about her speaking experience. "There will be times when you cross paths with patients who need you more, even if they don't know it themselves," wrote Allmaras-Helgerson. "Be the professional to listen to their story, hear what they are saying and work together to create a treatment plan that aligns with their health care goals."

In her keynote address, Allmaras-Helgerson encouraged students to meet challenges, push boundaries and remember what a pharmacist's white coast represents. "It represents trust, integrity, and extremely high level of professionalism. Go bravely into the pharmacy world, strive for greatness and make your white coat proud,"she said.

The White Coat Ceremony at NDSU welcomes students into the pharmacy professional program. Each student receives a white coat symbolizing his or her duty to patients as they enter the health profession. NDSU pharmacy students also take the Oath of a Pharmacist during the ceremony.