Just under 800 students took part in traditional White Coat Ceremonies at RCSI on Wednesday, 1 October including dentistry students who took part for the first time following the recent launch of RCSI’s new Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree programme.

For more than 30 years, the RCSI White Coat Ceremony has been a key event in the academic calendar for students of medicine, physiotherapy, pharmacy, physician associate studies and advanced therapeutic technologies.

Although originally organised to formally welcome students into the Anatomy Room, the event has since evolved into a symbolic milestone that marks the beginning of students’ academic journeys, underscoring the importance of professionalism across all health science disciplines.

Professor Tracy Robson, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, said: “I am delighted to mark this special occasion with our new students as they begin their academic journey at RCSI. It is wonderful to welcome this intake of students across all our health sciences programmes, and in particular, those joining our new Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme. I look forward to seeing each of them grow and thrive throughout their undergraduate studies.

“At RCSI, we are deeply committed to instilling strong values and professional ethics from the very beginning. We believe that academic excellence must be matched by integrity, compassion and respect, qualities that will guide our students not only through their time with us, but throughout their careers. The White Coat Ceremony is a powerful symbol of this commitment.”

The students were addressed by Professor Judith Strawbridge, Director of Education at the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences; Professor Denis Harkin, Head of the Centre for Professionalism in Medicine and Health Sciences; Professor Garry Duffy, Head of Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Medicine; and Professor Celine Marmion, Professor, Department of Chemistry, all of whom wished the students the best of luck as they begin their studies.

Professionalism at RCSI

During his address, Professor Harkin told the students: “The White Coat has long been associated with respect for the wearer. For you as students, the White Coat is recognition that you are embarking on important careers with significant responsibilities. This White Coat Ceremony matters because it represents a professional ideal and espouses the four core values of RCSI – Respect, Collaboration, Scholarship and Innovation.

“Historically, the white coat symbolises professionalism, caring, and a purity of purpose. It is regarded as an emblem of the precious trust, which is placed in us by both patients and the public, a trust we must earn and protect.”

Student Union Vice President and Welfare Officer, Temitayo Olabamiji also spoke at the ceremonies, followed by student speakers from a variety of programmes, who reflected on their own White Coat Ceremonies and offered advice to new students as they begin their academic training.

Professor Tracy Robson, then led the students in declaring their commitment to professionalism, mirroring the declaration they will recite as graduands on conferring day. The declaration acknowledges the responsibilities they must begin to undertake as future healthcare professionals and scientists from the beginning of their academic studies.