Okada: The Vice-Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, has called on 400-Level medical students to maintain humility, discipline, and compassion as they commence the clinical phase of their training. This exhortation was made during the university’s 8th White Coat Ceremony, marking the students’ transition from pre-clinical to clinical training.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Prof. Ezemonye highlighted that the prestige of the medical profession comes with significant moral responsibilities. He warned students that pride could hinder their success in medicine, emphasizing the importance of humility as they donned their white coats, which he described as a “badge of competence and a cloak of compassion.” He reminded the students that they are stepping into a role where they become custodians of trust for vulnerable patients.
Prof. Ezemonye stressed that the White Coat Ceremony is not merely an academic ritual but a public commitment to ethical practice in medicine. He urged students to adhere to integrity, punctuality, and professionalism as they enter the wards. Supporting this message, Prof. Dominic Osaghae, Provost of Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II College of Health Sciences, reiterated the solemn and demanding nature of the medical profession.
Prof. Taiwo Balogun, Dean of the School of Basic Clinical Sciences, noted that Igbinedion University has produced over 3,000 medical doctors worldwide. She encouraged the students to uphold this legacy by prioritizing patient care and embodying uprightness and humility. Guest lecturer Prof. Gerald Eze further advised the students on the challenges of clinical medicine, emphasizing the need for professionalism and compassion in their practice.
Prof. Eze drew from his personal experiences to illustrate the importance of empathy, confidentiality, and punctuality in patient care. He warned that delays and lack of empathy could have severe consequences, urging students to take their responsibilities seriously and prepare for the emotional aspects of clinical practice. In his closing remarks, Eze described medicine as a vocation requiring perseverance and dedication to patient care, even in the face of suffering and death.