Students in Paris revise ancient oath to reflect modern healthcare
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On September 10th, students finishing health studies at Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris participated in a new oath-taking ceremony.
A collective of students created the “Augusta Oath” and received support from the Sorbonne University’s Sound program, launched in 2023 to address societal and environmental challenges. The oath builds on the tradition of the Hippocratic Oath, recognizing that caring for patients requires more than technical skill. It demands moral responsibility and commitment.
The students designed the Augusta Oath to address changes in modern medicine. Unlike the original Hippocratic Oath, which focused on the individual physician, the new oath emphasizes that healthcare is now a collaborative effort involving many professionals. The ceremony aimed to establish a sense of community among all those who provide care. The name “Augusta” honors Augusta Klumpke, who in 1886 became the first female intern at Paris hospitals.
Organizers believe the traditional oath, while romantic, needed updating to reflect a healthcare system where no professional works in isolation. The Augusta Oath intends to highlight that the quality of care depends on the ability of different healthcare workers to cooperate.
