The ceremony was held on both Knoxville and St. Kitts campuses and is a tradition for doctors-in training that began in Chicago nearly thirty years ago. During the event, students were donned their white coats by RUSM faculty and alumni —the garment traditionally worn by Doctors of Medicine - and recited the Hippocratic Oath in unison across both campuses.

As a part of RUSM celebration leading up to its 40th anniversary on June 23, the RUSM community paid homage to one of the first 11 students of RUSM that continued their medical education in Dominica in 1978. Dr. Hugo Romeu, MD, was a part of the ceremony and represented the class of 1980 by accepting an honorary alumni award on behalf of his class. He spoke of his memories in the late 70s in the early days of RUSM.

Additionally, Dr. Joseph Zito, MD ’07, who is currently the Vice Chairman and Associate Director of St. John’s Episcopal Hospital Department of Emergency Medicine in Long Island, New York, served as the keynote speaker.

Watch the live stream video here and a hearty congrats to the class of 2022!

In 2020, 91% of RUSM students passed the initial step of the United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE®) on the first attempt. And in 2022-2023, results show yet another strong year for RUSM with a 97% first-time residency attainment rate* thus far. Located on the island of Barbados and with a network of more than 15,000 alumni, RUSM is one of the largest providers of doctors for the U.S. healthcare system. RUSM graduates practice in all 50 states and in Puerto Rico.

*First time residency attainment rate is the percent of students attaining a 2023-24 residency position out of all graduates or expected graduates in 2022-23 who were active applicants in the 2023 NRMP match or who attained a residency position outside the NRMP match.