College of Medicine Honor Code

The Origins of The Honor Code at UIC

The UIC-COM Honor Code was the Inspiration Debra Clayman, MD, professor of psychiatry, and Leslie Sandlow, MD, senior associate dean of academic affairs A subcommittee of the 1999-2000 Student Council drafted and officially approved the Code on Jan 29,2001  Honor codes in medical schools go back at least 150 years, preceding even the Flexner Report of 1908.  Approximately half of U S medical schools have honor codes and more schools are adopting them each year.

oldschoolMedical school honor codes imply that ethically something  more IS expected of one preparing to enter the unique profession of medicine Indeed, the preamble of the UICCOM Honor Code states, "upon matriculation I became a member of the medical profession My patients, colleagues and teachers Will expect me to maintain and promote the ethical standards that my chosen profession implies " The Code IS distributed to all entering freshmen, It's principles, and the obligation to conform to the Code are emphasized The Code's preamble defines the Code Itself and 12 articles spell out the mechanics of applying the Code In actual practice

The sense of honor is of so fine and delicate a nature, that it is only to be met with in minds which are naturally noble, or in such as have been cultivated by good examples, or a refined education ~Joseph Addison