HYDERABAD: Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (AIMSR) conducted its White Coat Ceremony for 152 first-year MBBS students of the Batch of 2026 at the Ravi Narayana Reddy Auditorium, MLA Colony, Hyderabad. The ceremony marked the beginning of the students’ journey into the medical profession, highlighting the values of compassion, integrity, professional ethics and commitment to patient care.
The event was attended by AIMSR faculty members, senior management and the parents of the incoming medical students.
Dr. K. Subba Reddy, Director of Medical Services, Telangana Region, Apollo Hospitals, attended the ceremony as the Chief Guest. Other dignitaries included Dr. K. Manohar, Dean, AIMSR; Ms. Aparna Reddy, Chief Operating Officer; and Dr. Sathyanarayana Reddy, Medical Superintendent.
The programme began with an academic orientation session by Dr. Neetha Kundoor, Associate Dean, Academics, who introduced the students to the academic journey, professional responsibilities and expectations of medical education. The Chief Guest, Dean, senior management and heads of departments presented white coats to the students, symbolising their entry into the medical profession and their commitment to serving patients.
Dr. K. Subba Reddy Emphasises Medical Ethics and Compassion
Addressing the students, Chief Guest Dr. K. Subba Reddy said that the White Coat Ceremony represents the beginning of a noble profession where scientific knowledge must be combined with humanity. He emphasised that doctors need not only clinical competence but also compassion, empathy, humility and accountability.
He highlighted the importance of medical ethics, explaining that autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and distributive justice must guide medical decisions. He encouraged students to respect patient rights, provide appropriate care, avoid harm and ensure fairness in healthcare delivery.
Dr. Subba Reddy also spoke about the challenges of medical practice, including long working hours, personal sacrifices and emotional stress. He urged future doctors to remain committed to their purpose, treat patients with dignity and provide compassionate and palliative care when required.
He further encouraged students to embrace emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and robotics, while preserving the human connection at the heart of medicine. Referring to Apollo Hospitals’ vision under its Chairman, Padma Vibhushan Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, he highlighted the organisation’s contribution to clinical excellence, medical education, research, innovation and digital healthcare.
He advised the students to pursue excellence without compromising medical ethics and to treat every patient with the same care and compassion they would extend to their own family members.
Dr. K. Manohar Highlights Sincerity, Service and Sacrifice
Dr. K. Manohar, Dean of AIMSR, reflected on his own medical education and professional experience spanning 45 years. He described the white coat as a symbol of responsibility and outlined three essential values for aspiring doctors: sincerity, service and sacrifice.
He urged students to remain sincere in their studies, earn patients’ trust through genuine care and follow the fundamental medical principle of “Do no harm.” He stressed that every patient deserves quality treatment, irrespective of whether they seek care at a government or private hospital.
Dr. Manohar also emphasised that medicine is a lifelong learning process and that professional development must continue beyond graduation and specialisation. He encouraged students to serve selflessly, compassionately and without discrimination.
Ms. Aparna Reddy Welcomes the New Batch
Ms. Aparna Reddy, Chief Operating Officer, welcomed the Batch of 2026 and described the ceremony as an important milestone in the students’ medical careers. She said the white coat represents trust, responsibility, compassion, integrity and a lifelong commitment to humanity. She reminded students that medicine is not limited to diagnosing diseases and prescribing treatments but also involves listening to patients, understanding their concerns and respecting their dignity. She emphasised that medical excellence must go hand in hand with ethics, compassion and service. She encouraged the students to maintain discipline, persevere through challenges and commit themselves to continuous learning.
The White Coat Ceremony concluded with a message encouraging the 152 aspiring doctors to uphold professional ethics, develop strong clinical skills and remain compassionate in their service to society. The occasion marked the beginning of their journey towards becoming responsible, ethical and patient-focused medical professionals
