First step on the road to medicine

Forty-eight students, who started their education at Izmir University of Economics (IUE) Faculty of Medicine this year, took the first step towards becoming a physician by putting on their white coats and taking the ‘Medical Student Oath’. Speaking at the ceremony, IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Hakan Abacıoğlu emphasized the importance of values, communication and knowledge in medicine.

Izmir University of Economics Faculty of Medicine 2023-2024 Academic Year White Coat Ceremony was held at the conference hall on campus. IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Hakan Abacıoğlu, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Prof. Dr. İlgi Şemin, Acting Medical Director of IUE Medical Point Hospital and Vice Dean of IUE Faculty of Medicine Assoc. Prof. Dr. Önder Limon, academics, students' families and guests attended the ceremony, which was broadcast live on IUE's YouTube account. The families were very excited to see their children in white coats for the first time. At the ceremony, Doğa Cansın Okan, who was admitted to IUE Faculty of Medicine with the highest score this year, and Batuhan Çiftçi, Student Representative of the Faculty of Medicine, delivered speeches.

3 IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD PHYSICIAN

Addressing the students at the ceremony, Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Hakan Abacıoğlu congratulated the students who took their first steps into medicine and shared the points to be considered in order to be a good doctor. Prof. Dr. Abacıoğlu said, “I would like to mention the 3 most important characteristics that make a physician a good physician. The first of these is to make the ancient and universal values and ethical principles of medicine an integral part of your professional life. The second is the ability to establish open, respectful and attentive communication and interaction with your patients, their relatives, healthcare professionals and society. The third is knowledge and the ability to use it. There comes a time, you become the hope of your patient's life with your knowledge and skills. May values, communication and knowledge never be missing from your life.”

WE WILL WORK FOR YOU WITH ALL OUR STRENGTH

Stating that they are very happy to see young people who have successfully completed a challenging process at the University, Prof. Dr. Abacıoğlu said, “I sincerely congratulate you and your families. In this journey that we started by admitting our first students in 2017, we stood out with qualified teaching staff, strong infrastructure and innovative education. Izmir University of Economics Medical Point Hospital is one of the leading healthcare institutions not only in Izmir and the Aegean Region but also in our country with its modern equipment, exemplary infrastructure and qualified human resources. Welcome to our University. Be sure that we are working with all our strength for you to receive a qualified education. I wish your new journey be full of health, happiness and success.”

EVIDENCE-BASED REASONING

Prof. Dr. İlgi Şemin, Dean of IUE Faculty of Medicine, stated that as a University, they approach medical education with great care and said, “During your time at our faculty, you will be introduced not only to knowledge, but also to a curriculum designed to convey to you the ancient values and principles that are the foundation of medicine. Risk-based thinking, evidence-based reasoning, effective communication and ethical values will be at the center of everything you will learn.”

SUBJECTS SUITABLE FOR THE NEEDS OF THE AGE

Stating that they act with a student-centered approach, Prof. Dr. Şemin said, “Medicine is not just a profession. It requires not only knowledge but also compassion, empathy, humility and a lifelong commitment to learning. Our University is an institution that approaches medical education with great care and has invested in new and modern educational technologies. One of the greatest prides of our faculty is its student-centered approach and the inclusion of contemporary topics such as lifestyle medicine, planetary health, research and knowledge management, and clinical reasoning in its curriculum. These will enable you to have a broader perspective as future physicians.”