Fourth year students from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the Faculty of Health Sciences of Üsküdar University joyfully donned their white coats during a ceremony held in observance of Dietitians Day on June 6. These white coats, symbolizing the first step into their professional careers, were worn with pride by the students. Their families were present on this special day to share in the celebration.
The white coat ceremony took place at the Ibn Sina Auditorium on the NP Health Campus of Üsküdar University. Present at the event were Associate Professor Müge Arslan, Head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics; Dietitian Hülya Yiğit from NPİSTANBUL Hospital; Instructor Kübra Şahin; Instructor Hatice Nurseda Hatunoğlu; as well as other faculty members, students, and family guests.
Associate Professor Müge Arslan: “The white coat is a significant symbol of dedication to human life”
Associate Professor Müge Arslan emphasized that the profession of dietetics is grounded in science and conscience. She stated, “The white coat is not merely an item of clothing; in the field of health it represents ethical principles, dedication to science, and commitment to human wellbeing. By wearing this coat, you are leaving student life behind and stepping into the professional world. You are assuming a great responsibility, a truly meaningful responsibility. I wish you all a career guided not only by scientific principles but also by your conscience. By maintaining scientific integrity and practicing ethically and conscientiously, I wish you every success in your professional journey.”
Exp. Dietitian Hülya Yiğit: “This profession involves understanding people, listening to them, and accompanying them on their life journeys”
During the ceremony, a conversation entitled “On the Profession with Hülya Yiğit” was held with Dietitian Hülya Yiğit from NPİSTANBUL Hospital. She emphasized the significance of ethical values and a human‑centred approach in the profession. She stated, “I am deeply honoured to be here today with all of you. I have reached approximately my eleventh year in this profession. When I look back on these years, I remember our own white coat ceremonies and our excitement at graduation, just like yours. Time passes very quickly, but what has remained with me most is the value of communication in this profession. As Professor Müge expressed so beautifully, ethical principles are one of the foundational elements that define us in this journey. I would like to share with you a small yet deeply meaningful experience from these years. During my early professional days, I worked with a client who lost approximately thirty kilograms. Our process was harmonious, motivated, and filled with good communication. Yet one day after a session, she said to me, ‘I have lost thirty kilograms but I am not happy. Losing weight did not make me happy.’ In that moment I realized that our profession is not merely about prescribing diets or counting calories. It is about understanding the person, listening to them, and accompanying them on their life journey. Sometimes it is necessary to see far more than the number on the scale. That is why I sincerely encourage you to maintain strong communication throughout your professional journey, to treat your clients not as cases but as individuals, and to always let your ethical values guide you. I wish you all success in your professional lives.”
White coat ceremony and group photograph
Following the reflective talk, the white coat ceremony took place with enthusiasm and pride as the fourth year students symbolically took their first step into their professional careers. The event concluded with a group photograph.
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)