White Coat Ceremony

• The Ceremony will be held, 3:00 pm, May 31, 2024 at the Capitol Theatre, 19 S. 3rd Street Yakima, WA.
• 2:00 pm: Students to arrive at the Capitol Theatre 4th Street Entrance for Line Up.
• Capitol Theatre Front Doors will open at 2:30 pm for guests (family and friends).
• Tickets are not required for the event.
• Rehearsal for the ceremony will be held, Monday, April 15, 2024 at 12:00 pm in the auditorium of BHH.
• Student attendance for the White Coat Ceremony is required, as part of the Clerkship Prep Course.
• The Ceremony will be live streamed and recorded for family and friends who are unable to attend.
• White Coats will be distributed on the day of the ceremony at the Capitol Theatre.

Ceremony Rehearsal Information – Students

• Student Event Information – Handout
• Rehearsal Presentation – PowerPoint
• 2024 White Coat Ceremony Rehearsal Video
  • 2023 White Coat Ceremony Rehearsal Video

The Capitol Theatre is wheelchair accessible, and limited wheelchair seating is available on the orchestra level of the theatre. An elevator designed for handicapped patrons is available between the orchestra level and the lower level only. Restrooms are located on the lower level.

Children are welcome at the ceremonies, but out of the respect for others in the theatre, PNWU is providing a children’s area on the lower level. A family member must remain with the child at all times, as the children’s play area is not supervised. The ceremony will be available for viewing in the children’s area via live streaming.

Travel and Driving Directions

Guests should allow ample time to find parking and avoid congestion in the downtown area on graduation day.

• By Plane: Yakima Air Terminal (YKM) is a commuter airport. Connections are vial Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and provided by Horizon/Alaska Air.
• By Bus: Greyhound buses arrive into and depart from Yakima daily. The Yakima Greyhound station is located at 202 S 5th Ave, Yakima, WA 98902.
• By Car: Yakima is located along Interstate 82, approximately 143 miles southeast of Seattle, 204 miles southwest of Spokane, and 80 miles northwest of the Tri-Cities (Richland-Kennewick-Pasco).
  • From Seattle, take I-90 East to the I-82 off ramp, Exit 110 and travel approximately 25 miles.
  • From Spokane, take I-90 West until exit 110, I-82 East, and travel for approximately 25 miles.
  • From Tri-Cities, take I-82 West until exit 33. Merge onto East Yakima Avenue.

A scenic alternative route from the Ellensburg region is the Old Canyon Highway, SR 821, a two-lane road that winds through the Yakima River gorge between Exits 3 and 26, bypassing the interstate over the mountain ridges. During the daytime, the views are lovely and there are several spots midway to stop, fish, and even camp.

• Directions to the Capitol Theatre: Coming from the north (Ellensburg) I-82 South; Take the Yakima Avenue Exit 33B. Turn right at the top of the exit and follow E. Yakima Avenue to South Third Street. Coming from the south (Sunnyside/Tri-Cities) I-82 North; Take the Yakima Avenue Exit 33 and stay left towards Yakima Avenue. Continue on E. Yakima Avenue to South Third Street.
• Parking: Parking at the Capitol Theatre is in public lots located on Third Street between W. Yakima Avenue and E. Chestnut Avenue, and on North 2nd Street between E. Yakima Avenue and East “A” Street. There is also street parking available.

Accommodations

Hotels in Yakima may be busy due to large sporting events, please reserve your hotel rooms early. When calling to make reservations, please mention PNWU for possible special room rates. Click on the hotel name below, and it will take you directly to their site for details.

Visit Yakima is an excellent resource to help you explore while you are visiting our beautiful valley, or find additional places to stay or eat.

If available, request group name is under PNWU

Oxford Suites
1.2 miles to Capitol Theatre
(509) 457-9000
1701 E. Yakima Avenue
Yakima, WA 98901

Holiday Inn Yakima
.5 miles to Capitol Theatre
(509) 494-7000
802 E. Yakima Avenue
Yakima, WA 98901

Howard Johnson Hotel
.6 miles to Capitol Theatre
(509) 452-6511
9 N. 9th Street
Yakima, WA 98901

Best Western Plus Ahtanum Inn
4.2 miles to Capitol Theatre
(800) 348-9701, ext. 160
2408 Rudkin Road
Yakima, WA 98903

Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott
.9 miles to Capitol Theatre
(509) 452-3100
137 N. Fair Avenue
Yakima, WA 98901

Birchfield Manor
4.7 miles to Capitol Theatre
(509) 494-5003
2018 Birchfield Road
Yakima, WA 98901

Ledgestone Suites Hotel
1.0 miles to Capitol Theatre
(509) 453-3151
107 N. Fair Avenue
Yakima, WA 98901

Red Lion Hotel Yakima Center
.3 miles to Capitol Theatre
(509) 248-5900
607 E. Yakima Avenue
Yakima, WA 98901

Hilton Garden Inn
.1 miles to Capitol Theatre
(509) 454-1111
401 E. Yakima Avenue
Yakima, WA 98901

Hotel Maison
.1 miles to Capitol Theatre
(509) 571-1900
321 E. Yakima Avenue
Yakima, WA 98901

Comfort Suites
3.6 miles to Capitol Theatre
(509) 240-8529
3702 Fruitvale Blvd
Yakima, WA 98902

Travel and Accommodations

When attending a white coat ceremony, remember that you should dress in a professional manner.

The most common form of dress for men is a shirt and tie. Typically, a suit or sports coat is not necessary. Women wear dresses, suits, or a blouse with a skirt or slacks.  If you are not sure of what to wear, attending in business casual dress would be appropriate.

Please refrain from casual attire.  Please do not wear jeans, sneakers, flip flops, t-shirts, tank tops, shorts, mini-skirts, or any other casual clothing. 

The ceremony is held in the presence of faculty, administration, and family members and is considered a rite of passage.  Therefore, it is important to dress properly for this occasion as it is a very special day for those being honored.