The first step to medicine

41 students who started their education this year at Izmir University of Economics (IUE) Faculty of Medicine took their first step on the path to becoming physicians by donning their white coats and reciting the ‘Physician’s Oath’. Addressing the future physicians at the ceremony, which was met with great enthusiasm and excitement, IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Hakan Abacıoğlu said, “The white coat you wear today will be the symbol of the journey you will undertake with respect for human dignity, guided by the light of science and the conscience.”

The 2025-2026 Academic Year White Coat Ceremony, held at the IUE Conference Hall, was also broadcast live on the University's YouTube account. At the ceremony, families seeing their children in white coats for the first time experienced a mix of happiness and pride, and were occasionally moved to tears.

‘MEDICINE IN FOLK SONGS' RECEIVED GREAT APPLAUSE

IUE faculty member and ophthalmologist Prof. Dr. Sait Eğrilmez, family medicine specialist Dr. Nuri Şalk, and congenitally visually impaired Cem Cansız, who have garnered significant acclaim with their concerts across Turkey, presented their special program titled ‘Medicine in Folk Songs’ on this special night, offering guests a unique musical feast. The team, performing their 300th program at Izmir University of Economics, received great applause from the audience in the hall. At the ceremony, Dr. Sabiha Su Polatlı, who graduated from the Faculty of Medicine with the highest rank in the 2024-2025 Academic Year, and Hakan Ömer Özçelik, who was admitted to the faculty this year with the highest score, also delivered speeches.

EMPHASIS ON ‘ANCIENT VALUES’

Drawing attention to the fact that medicine is a profession carrying ancient values, IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Hakan Abacıoğlu said, “This ceremony is about passing on a trust that young medical students will carry with responsibility and honor. The trust is the ancient values of the medical profession: prioritizing the patient's benefit, approaching people with respect and compassion, upholding truthfulness and honesty, bearing responsibility and being accountable, dedicating oneself to lifelong learning and excellence, advocating for justice and equality, protecting patient privacy, being in solidarity with colleagues, and considering serving the community a duty. The trust is the light of science and the defense of all life, not just human life. Your trust is heavy, but I know you will protect it. I trust you. Because I know that your teachers, who will teach you this profession, have protected and upheld these values entrusted to them, and will now pass them on to you.”

“YOU WILL SEE A JOURNEY OF LIFE IN EVERY DIAGNOSIS”

IUE Faculty of Medicine Dean Prof. Dr. İlgi Şemin stated that medicine is not only a profession but also about listening to human suffering, seeing the hope in their eyes, and sharing that burden, saying, “When you approach your patients, you will see not only a biological problem but also a psychological and social whole. Because a person is a whole with their environment, habits, responsibilities, and support systems. With this understanding, you will see a human story in every patient, a journey of life in every diagnosis. The communication you establish with your patient, the attention you show them, and the trust you instill will be much more powerful than the medications you prescribe. Here, you will not only take courses but also adopt a way of life. You will learn to work systematically, use time effectively, be disciplined, cope with stress, and improve your own health. These habits will form the backbone of your profession.”

“THE WHITE COAT WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU”

Medical Coordinator of IUE Medical Point Hospital, Dr. Burak Öztop, also stated that they will provide all kinds of support to the students throughout their education, saying, “The white coats you wear today will actually never leave you throughout your life. You will be performing a very sacred profession. We will strive to ensure you are trained in the best possible way and will be by your side whenever you need us. I sincerely congratulate you and your families, and wish you a successful educational life.”