The Nova Oath: a physician’s pledge to courageous and ethical care

The Nova Oath is a modern physician’s declaration of courageous care and ethical impact:

I stand not merely as a technician of the body, but as a steward of life, a witness to pain, and a catalyst for healing.

I vow:

To do more than avoid harm — I will do good: actively, intelligently, and compassionately.
To honor the trust placed in me not as entitlement, but as a sacred contract — between souls, not systems.
To treat not just symptoms, but stories; not just labs, but lives; not just disease, but disconnection.
To resist the seduction of profit over principle, convenience over conscience, and silence over truth.
To walk with integrity even when the road is lonely, and to speak what is necessary even when it’s not popular.
To practice medicine not as a product to dispense, but as a relationship to embody — humble, whole, and human.
To question what is standard, defend what is ethical, and champion what is possible when we remember what we’re here for.
To remember that healing is sacred, and every patient is someone’s child, partner, or parent — including my own reflection in the mirror.

This is my oath. This is my reckoning. This is how I choose to serve.

Not just to do no harm. But to do more good.

This is the Nova Oath.

Kenneth Ro is an independent emergency physician with 35 years of experience, committed to transforming the practice of medicine. As the creator of the Nova Oath, Dr. Ro is dedicated to rewriting the Hippocratic oath—shifting the focus from mere survival to sovereignty, purpose, and doing more good in the world. His mission is to inspire both patients and healthcare professionals to make a meaningful difference. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Ro advocates for men’s health and well-being through his platform, Back in the Game Men. Connect with Dr. Ro on LinkedIn to learn more about his initiatives and vision for a healthier, purpose-driven future.