We want our UGA SOM students to carry the reputation of exemplary professionalism in Georgia and beyond. Expectations are high, and standards are high, and we know our UGA SOM students are up to the task!
Click here to view our Professionalism Policy.
Paracurricular Program
What does professionalism in medicine mean? The conversation begins during orientation and continues through the M4 year to set SOM students up for success as residents and attending physicians. Professional behaviors in medicine are learned behaviors. SOM students benefit from a curricular thread to support professional development. The Office of Student Affairs offers paracurricular content longitudinally to complement the curricular content.
SOM Honor Code of Academic Integrity
All matriculating students will be asked to sign the UGA SOM Honor Code of Academic Integrity to confirm their commitment to uphold the highest standards of professionalism expected of future physicians.
As a member of the University of Georgia School of Medicine community, I will:
- Conduct myself in accordance with the highest standards of honesty and personal integrity in all endeavors, clinical and nonclinical
- Report data accurately and objectively in clinical and nonclinical settings (including research), assigning credit for work done by others
- I will not lie, defined as knowingly providing false information with intent to deceive.
- I will not cheat in order to gain an unfair advantage. Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to, copying answers from another student (or sharing answers to another student) during an exam or quiz, stealing or sharing test materials, unauthorized use of study aids or AI tools during an assessment.
- I will not steal, or attempt to steal, property, resources, or services with the intent of gaining an unfair advantage.
- I will not engage in plagiarism. This includes using the exact language without quotation marks and credit to the original author, or presenting ideas of another without assigning credit to the creator of the source material.
- I will abide by the use of AI policy.
- I understand that failure to report an Honor Code of Academic Integrity violation is a violation in itself.
Communication
Professional communication skills will be emphasized for UGA SOM students as they are a basic expectation of medical students, residents of all specialties, and attending physicians.
Communication with the Office of Student Affairs
Email: The preferred method of communication for non-urgent matters is via email. Please be advised that replies to student emails may take up to 72 hours.
In-person: The Office of Student Affairs welcomes and encourages in-person communication. Students may schedule one-on-one appointments with any member of the team. Walk-ins may be possible based on the team’s availability.
Emergency Cell Phone: If you need more immediate assistance, a member of the OSA team is available 24/7 on the emergency cell phone. This phone should not be used in lieu of calling 911 in a life-threatening emergency requiring police, fire, or medical emergency, or 988, the suicide and crisis lifeline.
Emergency cell phone number: 706-201-8266
Dress Code
Students at the School of Medicine are expected to promote and reflect a professional image when engaging with patients and clinical colleagues. This policy sets forth the dress and professional grooming standards necessary to promote a safe patient care environment, foster patient trust, respect, and confidence, and prepare students to assume the role of a professional healthcare worker. This policy is consistent with clinical site partner expectations and has been developed accordingly.