Giving its 39th term graduates in the academic year of 2016-2017, Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) Faculty of Medicine experienced the happiness to introduce 207 young doctors to the health community.
Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Yusuf Ziya Yılmaz, Rector Prof. Dr. Sait Bilgiç, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Kuran, Faculty of Medicine Dean Prof. Dr. Ayhan Dağdemir, faculty deans, Provincial Health Director Yusuf Güney, Samsun Public Hospitals Union Secretary General Prof. Dr. Süleyman Sırrı Kılıç, Samsun Chamber of Medicine Head Dr. Murat Erkan, academic staff, new graduates and families participated in the graduation ceremony held at OMU Yaşar Doğu Sport Sciences Faculty Sports Hall.
Delivering the first speech of the ceremony, top ranking student of the term Seçil Irmak said “We leave now the school we started 6 years ago with excitement, wonder and a little bit of fear as confident and experienced doctors. Our professors reminded us time after time the importance and inviolability of the human life throughout our education. We are aware of the responsibility we bear. We promise to take the right decisions for our patients in the light of scientific facts and listening to the voice of our conscience.”
Samsun Chamber of Medicine Head Dr. Murat Erkan addressed the young graduates and stated “You are the centerpieces of the medicine school that never strayed from the scientific line for 190 years, and we have gathered here in your graduation ceremony where you gain the title of physicists. You are the most qualified individuals of this country who went through many daring challenges since the first steps of your education until your graduation. What I will ask of you here is to become of a member of the professional association wherever you start your career and protect it. Dear young colleagues, when Atatürk said ‘entrust me in the hands of Turkish physicists’, he did not only underline his trust in Turkish physicists but also the unity and trust that should be among us. I am proud to see today in front of me my colleagues to whom I will entrust my future.”
Faculty of Medicine Dean Prof. Dr. Ayhan Dağdemir gave information about the Faculty of Medicine and stated the following: “Our faculty was established in 1973, the year when our university was founded. Up until today, 5417 medical doctors have graduated from our faculty. After this ceremony you witness, 188 students will have graduated from the Turkish Medicine and 22 students from the English Medicine Program this year, and they will join the young doctors. Dear graduates, data are changing rapidly in today’s science world. You will see that half of your knowledge will have changed each 10 years. That’s why you should put continuous effort to develop professionally and learn new things. Always pursue innovation.”
Rector Prof. Dr. Sait Bilgiç said “This moment is truly a sublime moment for us. If we take a moment’s blink to the past, we were students of an anarchic period and poverty. Nonetheless, we had one thing in our mind which we never deleted despite all those challenges and daring environment: ‘We will serve this land and people.’ We never lost it. We ask of you young doctors; no matter how difficult the challenges faced, you owe this land you live on. If we call this soil our land, it is because of the millions of martyrs who died in her name. As their grandchildren, we should never yield to difficulties and prevent us from serving.”
Rector Bilgiç finished his speech saying “You have to be members of exemplary behaviors bettering the general health, mental health and life health of this people. Please never forget this responsibility. People will be expecting this from you. As a physicist graduating from OMU, any benefit for the people will raise the value of our university.”
After speeches, top ranking students were given their diplomas. Top ranking term student of the Turkish Medicine Seçil Irmak Department received her degree from the hands of Rector Prof. Dr. Sait Bilgiç, term 2nd ranking Gizem Kök from Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Kuran and term 3rd ranking Ayşenur Özdemir from Provincial Health Director Yusuf Güney.
The top ranking student of the English Medicine, one of the international students, Ummi Thamrat R. Sait received her diploma from Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Yusuf Ziya Yılmaz, 2nd ranking Nossor Monsour Nossar from Faculty of Medicine Dean Prof. Dr. Ayhan Dağdemir and 3rd ranking Ömer Polat from Samsun Chamber of Medicine Head Dr. Murat Erkan.
The top ranking students Seçil Irmak and Ummi Thamrat R. Sait nailed their names on the age log.
The Faculty of Medicine graduation ceremony witnessed colorful moments as well. Having been working as an apothecary for 46 years and having completed two faculties and one college, Gönül Berker graduated this time from the OMU Faculty of Medicine at the age of 67. Receiving her diploma from the hands of Rector Sait Bilgiç, Berker shared her happiness with her family and colleagues.
After the top ranking students, all students received their diplomas one by one from professors and completed the ceremony with the cap throwing ritual.
Story: Nehir GÜLER
Photography: Hüseyin TEMİZ
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