A few weeks ago, we welcomed 110 members of the Class of 2017 in memorable Inaugural Day Exercises in Brodie Atrium.

It’s an exciting time to be starting medical school. We are currently renewing our undergraduate curriculum to address the ever-changing world of the profession of medicine. We will teach our medical students to become medical experts, scholars, managers. We will train them to become professionals, health advocates, communicators, and collaborators.

And their education began at our annual White Coat ceremony. What makes it so special? For one, our newest students: 95 per cent (105) are Manitobans; 56 are male and 54 female; eight are self-declared Aboriginal students; five are French-speaking Bilingual students; and 47 students hold rural attributes which include rural roots, rural work experience or rural volunteer experience. They range in age from 20 to 38 and on average are 23-years-old upon entering medical school.

Secondly, I hope they’ll remember the words of wisdom shared by our keynote speaker and other invited guests. “I returned to Manitoba after 25 years in the U.S.,” recounted Donna Wall [MD/81], a professor of Pediatrics & Child Health and Immunology and an accomplished researcher in regenerative medicine.

“My training and education that I received at the University of Manitoba served me well at Ivy League Hospitals and wherever I worked.”

She also advised our first years: “Learn to recognize the responses of patients and parents (of patients.)Take time to listen to spoken and non-spoken communication.”

Our annual Inaugural Day Exercises included the symbolic tradition of students putting on their white coat for the very first time and taking a vow to practice ethical medicine throughout their education and careers by reciting the Hippocratic Oath.

Ovide Mercredi, an activist, author, artist, lawyer and 2013 University of Manitoba Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, spoke from the heart when he asked our first year students to “transform our country for the better; become change agents.”

Lastly, Health Minister Theresa Oswald told the Class of 2017: “Live up to the great honour that has been bestowed upon you. Manitobans deserve no less than you being super smart and super kind.”

Words to live by…

What advice would you give our first-year medical students?