The white coat ceremony is celebrated at more than 100 medial schools throughout the world and signifies the passing of students from their basic science years to their clinical years of training. At this year's white coat ceremony at Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, David G. Armstrong, DPM, PhD, introduced by Terence Albright, DPM, Dean of the Scholl College, describes the transition from "PROTOprofessional to PROfessional" and offers some advice along the way. This lecture mirrors other profound talks given by Drs. Daniel Bareither, Karona Mason and Daniel Evans in offering advice and council to young professionals as they move into the next phase of their medical careers.