White Coat Ceremony Marks First Step into ‘Honourable Community’ for Aspiring Doctors
First-year medical students at HKUMed celebrated their entry into the medical community with a White Coat Ceremony, marking a rite of passage in their journey to becoming doctors.
More than 300 Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students gathered in the Grand Hall at the University of Hong Kong in September to don their white coats and recite the Declaration of Geneva.
Professor CS Lau, Dean of Medicine, congratulated students on this milestone and reminded them that despite rapid advances in technology, providing comfort and reassurance through a human connection remain vital skills for doctors.
“At the end of the day, it is still the people and the human touch that matter the most in learning and patient care. The white coat you wear is a reminder of this fundamental truth. It symbolises the professionalism, compassion, care, and trust that are the cornerstones of our profession,” he said.
He encouraged the aspiring doctors to always embrace challenges and to cherish learning opportunities on the journey ahead.
“Students, as you prepare to don the white coat, I warmly welcome you to join this honourable community that is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence, the alleviation of suffering, and the promotion of health and well-being.”
Members of the Faculty helped students into their white coats, highlighting the traditions and knowledge passed from one generation of doctors to another.
Following the white coat donning ceremony, Professor Gilberto Leung, Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) introduced the origins of the Declaration of Geneva, which replaced the Hippocratic Oath following the Second World War.
He told students that the promises within the oath should remind them to maintain professionalism in their careers as doctors and not to simply become employees.
“You’re promising to uphold professionalism as a value system,” he said. “You’re here to enter a calling, not a trade.”
The declaration starts with the lines: “I solemnly pledge to dedicate my life to the service of humanity; The health and well-being of my patient will be my first consideration; I will respect the autonomy and dignity of my patient; I will maintain the utmost respect for human life.”
Jane Ho, a first-year MBBS student who took part in the ceremony said she thought the significance of her white coat will only grow with time.
“After putting on this white coat, I already feel the weight of it. I know this won’t be my last white coat, and the ones after will only be heavier,” she said. “But [I feel] the weight of what I’m doing and why I’m doing it.”
Her classmate, Henry Loui, expressed a similar sentiment. He remarked that after already completing a degree, he was happy to now be taking a step into the medical profession.
“It’s finally nice to be in this position. The white coat has significance, but I don’t think you know what it truly means until you have a patient and treat a patient, and have that experience to understand what it truly means,” he said.
The latest cohort of Distinguished MedScholars received special pins following the White Coat Ceremony.
This new study track, which was launched last year, welcomed 34 DMS students in 2024.
Professor Lau congratulated these students on their academic achievements and encouraged them to support their peers and to share their medical knowledge with the public.
He added that this new group of DMS students included some who achieved this recognition during their first year of study at HKUMed.
“It is my true belief that every one of us, particularly our students, should be given chances to excel,” he said.
