Students begin journey into world of Medicine

The seventh edition of the Trinity School of Medicine’s ‘White Coat Ceremony’ was held on September 6, ushering in the class of 2013.{{more}}

Twenty-three medical and nine pre-med students are now set to begin their journey into the world of medicine.

The new class, as a collective unit, averages 26 on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and a 3.21 Grade Point Average (GPA), according to Steven Wilson, President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Trinity Medical School.

Dr James Coey, Associate Dean of Students and Associate professor of anatomy at the school in his keynote address at last Monday’s ceremony reminded the students of the duties and commitment to the discipline.

“You have worked for four years, so you know you want to be a doctor, but if you are honest with yourself, you don’t know exactly what being one is,” Coey said.

“Does it come after you have received your certificate or when you save a life or even at the end of an illustrious career, do you fully understand what being a doctor fully entails?”

Coey pointed out that it was based on these uncertainties that students begin the gradual transformation from being a student to doctor.

Doctors need to be cognizant of the patient’s needs he advised.

“Despite the advent of medical technologies, you must listen to your patients,” Coey said.

There are more than 13,000 ways the human body can malfunction with 6,000 medical drugs and over 4,000 medical procedures Coey explained.

“In joining the profession, your main priority is to ensure that all those capabilities are deployed.”

However, according to Coey, it was difficult, as is in any service, to effectively deliver 13,000 services to fit every one’s needs.

“But still, our patients demand the best available treatment.”

Most doctors see the world as ideal where patients take the advice of their physicians, but according to Coey they often miss the point.

It was on this note that he wrapped up his presentation with the advice to the new students that they ought to know their boundaries as medicine was filled with paradoxes. (DD)