Just under 700 students took part in traditional White Coat Ceremonies at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences yesterday.

The White Coat Ceremony has featured at the start of the academic year at RCSI since the 1990s when the Students’ Union requested an event to formally acknowledge the introduction of students into the Anatomy Room.

The ceremony has since developed into an inter-professional event to recognise professionalism for RCSI’s new students of medicine, physiotherapy, pharmacy, physician associates studies and advanced therapeutic technologies.

Professor Tracy Robson, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, said: "I am proud to welcome our new students as they mark the beginning of their academic journey at RCSI. From their first day, our students begin to form the values, behaviours and attitudes that will underpin their future practice and enable them to have professional relationships with colleagues, promote public trust and enhance patient safety. The White Coat Ceremony is a special milestone for our students, and I hope they remember this day throughout their time at RCSI and in their future careers."

The students were also addressed by Professor Denis Harkin, Head of the Centre for Professionalism in Medicine and Health Sciences; Professor Clive Lee, Professor of Anatomy; and Professor Celine Marmion, Deputy Dean for Student Engagement, all of whom offered their best wishes and advice to the students as they embark on their health sciences studies.

The trust of patients

Professor Harkin told the students: "These white coats are symbolic of the trust that is placed in us by our patients and members of the public. This is a trust we must work to maintain. Remember this each time you wear the coat while training in anatomy, working in the laboratory, when carrying out experiments and research, and in all areas of your clinical training."

During the ceremony, Avinash Nazareth, President of the RCSI Students' Union, and Rebecca Grealy, Events Officer, along with other student representatives, reflected on their experiences since their own White Coat Ceremonies and shared stories and advice with the group.

Professor Deborah McNamara, RCSI President, then led the students in declaring their commitment to professionalism, mirroring the declaration they will recite on their conferring day. The declaration signals the responsibilities they must begin to undertake as future healthcare professionals and scientists from the start of their academic training.

Friends and family were invited to watch the proceedings live and share their well wishes.