Students in the Pitt Med Class of 2028 presented their Oath of Professionalism at a luncheon at the University Club on Aug. 2, highlighting themes of equity, inclusiveness and dignity.
Anantha Shekhar, senior vice chancellor for the health sciences and John and Gertrude Petersen Dean, School of Medicine, started the tradition of having each class write its own oath when he came to Pitt in 2020.
Students on the Class of 2028’s oath-writing committee were Mia Carrarini, Ethan Chetkof, Yujin Choi, Dynasti DeGouville, Gabrielle Desjardins, Emily Egbert, Allen Kim, Coley Lameman, Samantha Machinski, Lindsay McKendrick, Estefania Narvaez, Chinazaekpere Nwankpa, Hannah Tetreault and Vanessa Shehu.
Before their presentation, the students heard remarks from Maddie Sieber, alumni coordinator; Chenits Pettigrew, associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion; Suzanne Templer, assistant dean for student affairs, and Ann Thompson, Distinguished Service Professor Emerita of Critical Care Medicine and recently retired vice dean, School of Medicine.
“Today we are celebrating the formal start of your medical education and also a deep and enduring commitment you are making to the art and science of medicine,” Templer said.
“You have the privilege of being entrusted to care for people when they’re at their most vulnerable. You will learn about their lives, their values and their wishes for their health. You will accompany them on their journey and serve as their guide along the way. You will also serve as an anchor to calm and settle them when they are uncertain.”
Thompson spoke to the challenges the students might have faced in the process of writing their oath, tying the effort to find common ground to the work the students will do as doctors.
“We are at a time when people shout at each other and say, ‘You’re wrong, I’m right,’” she noted. “Being able to understand where people come from, what they think is important, first of all, is what the world needs. But besides that, it’s what really will make a difference in the quality of care that you can provide for your patients.”
Machinski, speaking on behalf of the oath-writing committee, thanked all the students in the 148-member class for the “insightful discussion and perceptive contributions” over the two-week writing process. “With this oath, we hope that we have captured our enduring commitment to embarking on this journey as aspiring physicians,” she said.
Members of the oath-writing committee took turns reading sections of their oath.
Class of 2028 Oath of Professionalism
We, the entering Class of 2028, begin our medical journey in the midst of a society currently split by local and global conflict. We witness the lingering shadows of the pandemic on the world and experience the recent changes in health care rights and the perpetuation of longstanding disparities against Black patients, Indigenous patients, Latin X patients, patients of color, underresourced communities, and all historically marginalized populations who the medical system has often neglected. In the face of these challenges, we believe now, more than ever, in providing medical care that is accessible and affirming to all. With this oath, we commit ourselves to meeting the evolving needs of our time.
Thereby, I pledge as a physician and lifelong student of medicine:
I will practice humility by bearing witness to my patients’ narratives beyond clinical diagnosis without prejudice, judgment, or bias to learn about the world through their perspectives.
In appreciation for the breadth of responsibility encompassed in the role of physician-healer, I pledge to utilize every dimension of love—shouldering the burdens of my patients, providing counsel and leading with trust and care—to ensure that each patient feels heard, valued and supported throughout their health journey.
I will promote spiritual healing and cultivate a community that upholds the lifelong dignity of patients and the ancient human tradition of caring for one another.
I acknowledge my position in society as a trusted healer who has a responsibility to lead with integrity through shared decision-making with patients, respectful collaboration with colleagues, and commitment to lifelong learning. I will take care of those beside me as readily as I take care of my patients.
I pledge to serve as a physician-advocate in identifying, acknowledging and dismantling barriers to health and health care access in communities, especially those that are underresourced. I devote myself to understanding the specific challenges and aspirations of each community and will amplify their voices. I affirm that the health of people transcends all other considerations, financial and otherwise.
I commit to supporting the well-being of diverse local and global populations, being conscious of cultural beliefs and perspectives, as well as complex social issues and historical injustices. I recognize the well-informed distrust in medical and research institutions, especially in historically minoritized communities.
I commit to improving health outcomes and equity by learning about and respecting each patient’s values and autonomy.
I will use clear communication and compassion to partner with my patients and to deepen my understanding of their health and their stories.
I will cultivate and empower future health professionals by fostering a safe and inclusive learning environment and adequate staffing, seizing every opportunity to ensure new generations are supported and well-prepared to drive the future positive changes in medicine.
I will stay current with the latest advancements in health research and technology, remaining mindful of ethical dilemmas that may arise from them. I will seek out opportunities to advance knowledge through innovative, ethical, rigorous research that can be applied to improve patient care.
I will continually strive for self-improvement to become the best version of myself as a physician. I will embrace a growth mindset and value the lessons learned from both my patients and my studies to provide the highest standard of care. I acknowledge the anticipated struggles of choosing this path and will commit myself to taking care of my body, mind and spirituality. In doing so, I will ask for help when needed and will act on the need to help when asked.
I pledge to make an honorable and rigorous lifelong commitment to the betterment of my patients, profession, community, colleagues, education and self and shall see a breach of this commitment as a breach of my duty as a physician.
In the spirit of humility, understanding that we must constantly acknowledge our limitations to better ourselves, we accept the privileges and duties that come with being a physician.
For the health and happiness of society, we commit ourselves to this oath.