The Hippocratic Tree
About the Tree
Hippocrates, the father of medicine, is said to have taught his students beneath a plane tree on the Greek island of Kos more than 2,400 years ago. In 1969, the University of Florida and its graduating medical class worked with the American and Greek consulates to bring cuttings of that tree to Gainesville.
MCG’s tree, planted on Friday, October 23, 2026, was raised from a cutting of UF’s Hippocratic tree. UF has shared such trees with 14 other medical schools across the Southeast. Cared for until today by retired MCG faculty member Edward Porubsky, MD, it now stands beside the Body Donation Memorial Garden, which honors our body donors, our first teachers. In sharing it, C. Craig Tisher, MD, former dean of the UF College of Medicine, expressed the hope that it would serve as a reminder of the continued importance of teaching the principles of Hippocrates in medical education.
The Class of 2029 Oath
As recited at our White Coat Ceremony
We, the Class of 2029 of the Medical College of Georgia, swear by all those present today, the physicians who have come before us, and those who will come after us, to adhere to the promises of this oath.
To our communities & future patients, we promise:
- To provide care with clarity and empathy, empowering them to make personal, informed decisions.
- To dedicate ourselves to a life of service, advocating for more inclusive, equitable, and high-quality healthcare for all.
To our classmates & future colleagues, we promise:
- To respect and value every member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team, collaborating to achieve our common goals.
- To hold ourselves and one another accountable, receive feedback with grace and humility, and seek progress through both our shortcomings and successes.
To ourselves, we promise:
- To practice curiosity, fostering growth and prosperity for the future of medicine.
- To care for ourselves as we care for others, recognizing that our own well-being is vital to providing quality care.
- And to root our identity not only in our role as physicians, but also as community members, family, neighbors, and friends.
With Gratitude
To our body donors & their families, our first teachers.
To C. Craig Tisher, MD, and the University of Florida College of Medicine for sharing this tree, and to Edward Porubsky, MD, for caring for it.
To the MCG Office of Student Affairs; the Department of Cellular Biology & Anatomy
Augusta University Communications & Marketing; & Augusta University Facilities and
Grounds.
STUDENT COMMITTEE
Zaneta Adu · Tagwa Ali · Isabella Allen · Matthias Baladi · Rachel Goldie · Arvin
Khedmati Alami · Caroline Nowatkowski
· Oghosa Omobude · Apoorva Palled · Mili Patel · Elizabeth Pettit · Jenna Schaffer ·
Paige Sobczak