Began with a white coat and ended with pride

The 2024-2025 Academic Year Faculty of Medicine Graduation Ceremony, which was held at the amphitheater on the campus of Izmir University of Economics, was attended by Rector, Prof. Dr. Yusuf Hakan Abacıoğlu, the President of IZTO Assembly, Selami Özpoyraz and Vice President, Mehmet Tahir Özdemir, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Dr. İlgi Şemin, Chief Physician of IUE Medical Point Hospital, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Memiş, members of the board of trustees, academics, and other invited guests.

STUDENTS HOSTED

The ceremony was hosted by medical students Cemre Yendi and Zeynep Naz Ulutagay. During the joyous evening, Dr. Sabiha Su Polatlı, who graduated as the top student of the faculty, Intern Representative Dr. Ayşe İrem Temelli, and Former Intern Representative Dr. Batuhan Çiftçi also delivered speeches.

“YOU WILL TOUCH THE LIVES OF OTHERS”

Addressing the students at the ceremony, IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Hakan Abacıoğlu gave them important advice to remember throughout their lives and he said, “Today, I am speaking to you not only as your rector but also as a colleague. I believe you are starting to understand that many things in medicine are far from certain. Sometimes you will have to make decisions in the midst of uncertainty. A physician's greatest courage is the ability to live with uncertainty. You must be humble while seeking certainty and patient in the face of the unknown. I know you will be. Be honest and realistic with yourselves. Accept the limits of your knowledge and don't hesitate to ask for help when needed. Medicine gives you the right to touch the lives of others. But you can only be beneficial to your patient when you do this with knowledge, justice, virtue, and kindness.”

“PROTECT THE HONOR OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT”

Prof. Dr. Abacıoğlu continued as follows: “I know you're also starting to realize that it can sometimes be difficult to draw the lines between good and evil. Hannah Arendt, one of the most compelling thinkers of the twentieth century, said that evil often presents itself not with a terrifying face, but with ordinariness. Evil is often not a decision, but a lack of decision; not a choice, but a lack of choice. It begins by closing our eyes and remaining indifferent to what is happening. Do not remain indifferent. In the pledge you will take shortly, you will promise not to use your medical knowledge to violate human rights and individual freedoms, even if you are threatened; and to protect and develop the honor and respectable traditions of the medical profession with all your might. I know you will keep your promise. Because I have witnessed your journey to become individuals with ‘free thought and free conscience’.”

“YOU WILL BE A SOURCE OF HOPE FOR HUMANITY”

IUE Faculty of Medicine Dean Prof. Dr. İlgi Şemin stated that the graduates have been trained as physicians who will be a source of hope for humanity. "Here, you didn't just acquire medical knowledge. You learned how to think critically, make sound decisions, manage risks, communicate effectively, and be a team. In addition to being knowledgeable, you are entering the world as individuals who are conscientious, responsible, and have internalized professional ethical values. You are not just physicians who heal patients; you are leaders who protect public health, are sensitive to your surroundings, and promote healthy lifestyles. The diploma you hold is not just a document. It is the key to a journey where you will serve humanity, where people will place their hope in you, and will look into your eyes in their most difficult moments seeking healing. You are now doctors who are molded with knowledge, equipped with conscience, and ready to set out with courage.”

“DO THE BEST FOR THE PATIENTS”

Chief Physician of IUE Medical Point Hospital Prof. Dr. Ahmet Memiş highlighted the importance of the collaboration between Izmir University of Economics and Medical Point Hospital, which began in 2020. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Memiş said, “I hope that being with us at our hospitals, which have all international accreditations such as JCI, EFQM, and TEMOS, has given you world-class knowledge, skills, and vision. You are graduating as the well-equipped physicians of the future in healthcare, with AI-based models, robotic surgery applications, minimal invasiveness, daily treatments, digital patient tracking systems, and personalized treatment methods. As you specialize, do not forget to evaluate the body as a whole. Prioritize multidisciplinary work and never give up on the principle of ‘the best for the patient’. May your foundation of knowledge and skills give you courage," he said.”