220 students are starting their programs of study at the School of Medicine

The School of Medicine welcomed the 220 students of the 68th graduating class on Monday, August 31. The new students come from 23 different countries: Andorra, Belgium, Belarus, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Spain, the United States, Finland, France, Greece, India, Italy, Nigeria, Norway, the Netherlands, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, and Venezuela. They thus make up the seventh graduating class since the implementation of the new “ Study program ” program, which is aligned with international standards and has been awarded the International Quality Seal by the World Federation for Medical Education.

Throughout their first day at the School, various professors guided the new students through their first steps as college students. During his welcome remarks, Dr. Manuel Alegre, Associate Dean at faculty and postgraduate program, encouraged them to find a balance in the new life they are beginning: “You have chosen a demanding profession, so you will have to study hard and study well. But it is essential to balance that effort with everything the University of Navarra has to offer so that you can grow as individuals.”

Along the same lines, Dr. Alegre emphasized the importance of “ training ” in medical identity and professionalism as an essential part of that comprehensive training: “Your main goal should be to learn medicine; getting good grades should be secondary. What matters is that you strive to learn over the long term, so that you can make the most of each course, which builds on what you’ve learned previously. That way, you’ll have a deeper understanding when you see your first patient.”

Physicians beyond mere technical expertise

Taking this reference letter as his starting point, Ricardo Piñero, director of the Instituto Core Curriculum, explained the purpose of the humanistic training that characterizes the University of Navarra and complements the scientific and technical training of future doctors. “This is even more important in a profession like medicine, where the core topic that makes the difference is being good doctors—not just knowing a lot. We want to make you intellectual doctors—doctors who think and inspire others to think, who detect not only diseases but also the needs of human beings.”

For her part, Dr. Mar Cuadrado, associate dean for student affairs, outlined the key aspects of this first academic year at the school and introduced Vocatio, a new comprehensive pathway training program designed for students who wish to explore issues of leadership and professional identity in greater depth.

New methodologies and learning styles