School of Medical Sciences and School of Dentistry of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has held its second White Coat Ceremony for students to formally usher them into the clinical phase of their training.
The ceremony held under the theme “Professionalism among Medical and Dental Trainees in a Digital Age,” marked a significant milestone in the students’ academic and professional journey.
Professor Yaw Amo Wiafe, Dean of faculty of Allied Health Sciences advised students that professionalism goes beyond academic excellence.
“Your conduct, both online and offline, reflects not only your personal values but also the trust society places in the medical profession. Patience, sympathy, and empathy are key qualities that define a true medical professional,” he noted.
The Dean of the School of Medicine, Professor Akwasi Antwi Kusi, emphasized that professional identity begins at the start of training, not at graduation. He cautioned students to be mindful of their digital presence, urging them to verify information before sharing and to always consider the public interest in their online engagements.
Professor Antwi Kusi outlined what he described as the “five Hs” of a good medical student: honesty, humility, hard work, humanity and honour.
“Uphold the dignity of the profession and wear the white coat with humility and a sense of responsibility, he advised.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Professor (Mrs.) Gyikua Plange-Rhule, a Paediatrician and senior lecturer at the College of Health Sciences urged students to seek expert guidance when necessary. She encouraged them to make effective use of available resources, including artificial intelligence, to enhance their learning, while also managing screen time responsibly.
She further cautioned students to be careful about what they post on social media, noting that online actions can have lasting consequences for health professionals.
The ceremony also featured a donation of GH¢204,000 donation from the Millennium Class of 2000 to support the School’s Legacy Project, an ultra-modern multi-storey lecture theatre aimed at enhancing clinical education.