For almost 20 years, the newly admitted students from all programs in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry have come together to pledge commitment to professionalism as they enter a healthcare field of study. Facilitated by the Office of Learner Advocacy and Wellness, the Professional Standards Ceremony not only represents the first steps in a student's educational journey, but it marks the beginning of the student's career in healthcare.
On September 11, each program addressed the new learners in FoMD and School of Dentistry chair Paul Major and dental hygiene program director Sharon Compton shared a special message with dentistry and dental hygiene students. The Professional Standards Ceremony is a code of values, expectations and conduct students recite that are integral to professionalism. The pledge emphasizes honesty, confidentiality, respect for others and responsibility of a healthcare practitioner.
"Society has placed a great deal of trust in us as health care providers, and with that trust we have significant responsibility to put the best interests of our patents ahead of our own interests," said Major during the ceremony that took place at Meyer Horowitz theatre. "Patient care must be the highest priority. In the context of dental school, students are faced with the challenge of gaining scope of clinical experiences necessary to become a competent practitioner."
Minister of Health Sarah Hoffman brought welcome messages from the Government of Alberta to the students along with FoMD associate dean of learner advocacy and wellness Melanie Lewis, and vice-dean of education Shirley Schipper.
"As your educators for the next four years, we will be working with you to further develop your understanding and behavior in regards to being a responsible health care provider," said Compton to the students. "It includes accepting responsibility for providing safe, competent and quality care for patients and ensuring your knowledge and training remain current."
For dental hygiene student Csyra Angelli Pianar says taking the oath helped welcome them into the world of the health profession.
"It was very overwhelming but also very fulfilling because it just made us realize fully how important our role is in the health care profession," says Pianar. "Also, the emphasis on the responsibilities each professional has to uphold was something I found to be the most important part because we as professionals also have to respect, cooperate and cater to our patients needs in a way that will make them feel safe."