The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – Bahrain celebrated the transition of 147 medical students to clinical training during a ceremony held at its campus on Tuesday 10th February 2015. The White Coat Ceremony is a symbolic event that celebrates this transition and notably includes the presentation of individual physician’s white coats, embroidered with the student’s name.
The ceremony opened with an address by Professor Joe McMenamin, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Head of School of Medicine – RCSI Bahrain. Through his encouraging speech, Professor McMenamin spoke to the students about the future ahead of them as doctors, and highlighted the significance of wearing the medical white coat and the responsibility associated with it.
This year’s ceremony featured guest speaker, Dr Bahaa Fateha, Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA). Dr. Fateha congratulated the students on achieving this big milestone in their medical studies, and spoke to them about the promising career of healthcare in Bahrain. At the end of his presentation, Dr Fateha announced that RCSI Bahrain graduates who took the Bahrain Medical Licensing Examination (BMLE) have achieved a 100% pass rate for the second year in succession. He congratulated the University on this great accomplishment, and wished staff and students continued success in the future.
Mr Alaaeddin Obied, from RCSI Bahrain’s senior class, also addressed his fellow students and spoke to them about his experience and what they should be expecting in the years ahead.
The ceremony concluded with the students’ recital of the professional declaration, through which they vowed to maintain professional attitudes and behaviours in work and relationships with classmates, teachers, patients and the community.
