The article analyzes the image of healthcare professionals shown in Russian poetry of the XX century through the lens of a duty. The topic declared as the subject of a special comprehensive survey has not been brought up in the Russian scientific field. The notion of ‘a duty’ is defined, a summary of research literature related to this issue is provided. The author mentions that the category of a doctor’s professional duty, which appeared in Russian poetry in the beginning of the XX century only, is firmly fixed and reflected herein during the entire investigated period. Meanwhile, poetry provides examples both for children and adults. In this paper, pieces of poetry by Mayakovsky VV, Chukovsky KI, Drunina YV, Zabolotsky NA and Rutkovsky MA have been analyzed. It is indicated that poetry produces a specific effect on the reader. The author concludes that the images of devoted doctors and nurses that have been created by Russian poets can play a significant methodological and educational role in developing the professional identity and personality of future healthcare professionals.