The Founder and Vice-Chancellor of Family Health University (FHU), Professor Enyonam Yao Kwawukume, has challenged newly admitted medical students to cultivate intellectual curiosity, diligence, perseverance and clinical excellence as they begin their journey towards becoming professional doctors.
He said the medical profession demanded more than academic brilliance, stressing that students must develop the discipline, integrity, resilience and compassion required to deliver quality healthcare and safeguard human lives.
Addressing students at the Matriculation and White Coat Ceremony of Family Health Medical School, Ghana’s premier private medical school, at its campus opposite the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre at Teshie in Accra, Professor Kwawukume reminded the matriculants that their admission marked the beginning of a demanding intellectual and professional journey.
The ceremony was held on the theme: “The Making of Tomorrow’s Doctor: Intellectual Curiosity, Diligence, Bulldog Tenacity of Purpose and Clinical Excellence.”
A total of 85 students from the Graduate Entry Medical Programme (GEMP) and the Regular 6-year Medical Programme, were formally matriculated and received their white coats at the ceremony.
Professor Kwawukume urged the students not to approach medical education merely as an exercise in memorising facts to pass examinations but to develop enquiring minds, ask questions, challenge assumptions respectfully, read widely and engage actively with lecturers and colleagues.
He emphasised the importance of understanding the principles behind what they learn, noting that medical education must connect teaching, research and clinical practice.
He further encouraged the students to manage their time effectively, participate actively in academic activities, seek assistance when confronted with difficulties and uphold the highest standards of academic honesty.
According to him, Family Health University is committed to providing an academic environment that promotes lifelong learning, teamwork, integrity, compassion, innovation, leadership, professionalism and inclusiveness.
On the significance of the white coat, Professor Kwawukume explained that it represented more than professional identity or status, describing it as a reminder of the obligations and responsibilities that come with the privilege of studying medicine.
He urged the students to wear their white coats with pride and humility while demonstrating discipline and an unwavering commitment to serving humanity.
He also acknowledged the sacrifices of parents and guardians, encouraging them to continue supporting their wards through the demanding years of medical training.
The Guest Speaker, Professor Yvonne Dei-Adomakoh, Dean of the University of Ghana Medical School, challenged the students to embrace continuous learning, discipline and compassion as essential ingredients for becoming competent medical professionals.
She observed that medicine was constantly evolving, with new diseases emerging, treatments developing and scientific understanding of the human body expanding.
She therefore cautioned the students against limiting their studies to lecture notes and examination requirements, urging them to read extensively, participate in research and take advantage of mentorship opportunities.
She noted that lecturers could only provide a portion of the knowledge required, making independent learning and intellectual curiosity essential to their professional development.
“A good doctor does not necessarily know everything, but an excellent doctor knows how to find the answers and is willing to keep learning,” she emphasised.
On diligence, Professor Dei-Adomakoh said medical training required commitment, discipline, hard work and effective time management, warning that carelessness and inadequate preparation could have serious consequences for patient safety.
She encouraged the students to take every learning opportunity seriously, pay attention to detail and develop dependable professional habits.
Addressing the theme’s emphasis on ‘Bulldog tenacity of purpose’, she urged them not to surrender when confronted with academic difficulties, disappointments and moments of self-doubt.
However, she cautioned that perseverance must not be confused with stubbornness, explaining that medical practitioners must remain confident but humble enough to accept corrections and change their positions when evidence demands it.
On clinical excellence, the guest speaker stressed that medicine was fundamentally about people and that doctors must never lose sight of the human beings behind the diseases they treat.
She explained that clinical excellence went beyond making accurate diagnoses and prescribing appropriate medication to include listening to patients, respecting their concerns, communicating effectively and demonstrating compassion.
According to her, patients might not remember everything a doctor said or prescribed, but they would remember how they were treated.
She consequently urged the students to combine medical competence with empathy, ethical conduct and respect for patients’ dignity.
Professor Dei-Adomakoh further encouraged the future doctors to embrace emerging technologies, artificial intelligence and medical research while maintaining the human values that make medicine a profession of service.
The Council Chairman of Family Health University, Brigadier General Daniel K. Frimpong (Rtd), congratulated the newly admitted students and urged them to allow the values of the institution to shape their character and professional conduct.
He also disclosed that the University continued to attract significant interest from prospective students, describing the institution’s growing demand as a blessing.
Among the dignitaries present were Dr. Susu Bridget Kwawukume, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Family Health Hospital and Founder of Family Health University; Professor Philip O. Odonkor, Pro-Vice Chancellor of FamilyHealthUniversity; Dr. Sylvester Y. Oppong, Dean of Family Health Medical School; and Mrs. Rita Kaine, Registrar of Family Health University.
Also in attendance were members of the University’s Governing Council and the Board of Trustees of the Endowment Fund, alongside faculty members, parents, guardians and other invited guests.
The ceremony formally ushered the 85 students into their medical education and introduced them to the ethical responsibilities and professional standards expected of future medical practitioners.
The occasion marked the beginning of a journey through which the matriculants are expected to develop the knowledge, professional competence and human values necessary to contribute meaningfully to healthcare delivery in Ghana and beyond.