Incoming students of the University of Minnesota Medical School (UMMS) recited an unusual pledge this year. Instead of the traditional "first do no harm," the class of 2026 committed to "uprooting the legacy and perpetuation of structural violence deeply embedded with the healthcare system."
Then, they had to "recognize inequities built by past and present traumas rooted in white supremacy, colonialism, the gender binary, ableism, and all forms of oppression." According to Campus Reform, the oath was written by the Oath Writing Committee which was made up of 15 students.
"It is a common practice at medical schools in the United States to build upon the intent of the Hippocratic Oath to promote humility, integrity, and beneficence," UMMS Media Relations Manager Kat Dodge told Campus Reform.
