… Urged To Embody Professionalism, Compassion
By Edward Oseghe
The Vice-Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO), Prof. Ikechukwu Ezemonye, has charged 156 aspiring doctors of the institution to demonstrate diligence and humility, empathy and effective communication, integrity in conduct and dress, as well as resilience as they don the white coat — a significant milestone marking their transition from the preclinical to the clinical phase of medical training.
Prof. Ezemonye gave the charge in his opening address at the 8th White Coat Ceremony for the 400-level MBBS class of the Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II College of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, held on Wednesday in Okada, Edo State.
Congratulating the clinical students as they prepare to enter the wards as senior medical students, the Vice-Chancellor described the white coat as a symbol of trust, a badge of competence and a cloak of compassion.
“It signifies your entry into the privileged fraternity of healers. As you receive it, you are not merely changing your mode of dress; you are publicly declaring your commitment to the art and science of medicine.
“As you put on this coat, remember that you are walking in the footsteps of giants who have passed through these halls, and you are laying the foundation for those yet to come,” he said.
Prof. Ezemonye also expressed appreciation to the visionary Founder and Chancellor, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, CFR, the Esama of Benin Kingdom, for his unwavering support. He further commended the Provost, Deans, Heads of Departments, and both teaching and non-teaching staff of the college for their contributions to the success of the ceremony.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Dean, School of Basic Clinical Sciences, Prof. Taiwo Balogun, said the White Coat Ceremony marks the beginning of the students’ journey into the medical profession and the formation of their professional identity.
According to her, the ceremony represents the transition from being general students to becoming members of the medical community, noting that it entails accepting the responsibility to serve humanity with knowledge, skill, ethics and compassion.
Delivering a lecture titled “Doctor in the House,” the Guest Speaker, Prof. Gerald Eze, a distinguished clinician and academic, urged the students to embody medical professionalism and compassion in their practice.
Prof. Eze stressed the importance of patient-centred care, empathy and attentive listening, confidentiality and respect, compassion, and continuous learning.
He further encouraged the students to uphold core medical ethics — beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy and justice — emphasising that a doctor must be smart, competent, provide accurate diagnosis and treatment, maintain patient confidentiality, obtain informed consent, collaborate effectively with healthcare teams and advocate for patients’ needs.
Highpoints of the ceremony included the gowning of the students, the Students’ Pledge, the White Coat Oath, and the Lecturers’ Pledge, administered by the Provost, Prof. D.O. Osaghae, alongside the Deans of the College of Health Sciences.
