White Coat Ceremony

UCSF Physician Declaration

This Declaration is minimally adapted from the Declaration of a New Doctor by the Imperial College of Medicine.

• As a physician, I solemnly promise that I will serve humanity—caring for the sick, promoting good health, and alleviating pain and suffering.
• I recognize that the practice of medicine is a privilege with which comes considerable responsibility and I will not abuse my position.
• I will practice medicine with integrity, humility, honesty, and compassion—working with my fellow physicians and other health care professionals to meet the needs of my patients.
• I shall never intentionally do or administer anything to the overall harm of my patients.
• I will not permit considerations of gender, race, religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation, nationality, or social standing to influence my duty of care.
• I will oppose policies in breach of human rights and will not participate in them. I will strive to change laws that are contrary to my profession’s ethics and will work towards a fair distribution of health resources.
• I will assist my patients to make informed decisions that coincide with their own values and beliefs and will uphold patient confidentiality.
• I will recognize the limits of my expertise and seek to maintain and increase my understanding and skills throughout my professional life. As a lifelong learner, I will support teaching and research and strive to apply evidence-based practices to promote the advancement of medical knowledge.
• I will uphold this promise to the best of my ability and will acknowledge and try to remedy my own mistakes and honestly assess and respond to those of others.
• I make this declaration solemnly, freely, and upon my honor.