Students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, School of Medical Sciences and School of Dentistry have been urged to uphold professionalism in both their online and offline conduct as they enter the clinical phase of their training.

The call was made at the School’s second White Coat Ceremony, held under the theme “Professionalism among Medical and Dental Trainees in a Digital Age,” which formally marked the transition of about 350 students from preclinical to clinical education.

Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Yaw Amo Wiafe, Dean of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, said professionalism extends beyond academic performance to personal conduct, including behaviour on digital platforms.

“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 essential attributes of healthcare professionals,” he said.

The Dean of the School of Medicine, Professor Akwasi Antwi Kusi, said professional identity begins at the start of medical training rather than at graduation.

He urged students to exercise caution in their digital engagement and to verify information before sharing it publicly.

Professor Antwi Kusi outlined what he described as the “five Hs” of a good medical student: honesty, humility, hard work, humanity and honour.

He advised students to “uphold the dignity of the profession and wear the white coat with humility and a sense of responsibility.”

Also addressing the ceremony, Professor (Mrs.) Gyikua Plange-Rhule, a paediatrician and senior lecturer at the College of Health Sciences, encouraged students to seek expert guidance when needed and to use emerging tools such as artificial intelligence responsibly to support learning.

She cautioned that social media activity could carry lasting professional consequences.

The ceremony also featured the announcement of a 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.

By: Abena Agyeiwaa Brefo