Trinity holds Term Five Students Ceremony

The Trinity School of Medicine at Ratho Mill held its Term Five Students Ceremony at the institution on Tuesday, April 22.{{more}}

Sitting in on the ceremony were Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne, CEO of Trinity Steve Wilson, and his wife, along with other officials of the school.

A total of 34 students were pinned at the ceremony after the completion of their first five terms. Awards were given to students for academic excellence, professionalism and altruism, and to lecturers for excellence in a number of areas.

Jonah Hirshberg, receiving two awards for “Best Results in Basic Sciences” and “Best Results in the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) examination,” was described as one of the many students to successfully hold his ground in a class with a “one point average above the USA average.”Dr Andreas Reymann, senior associate dean for Academic Affairs and Evaluations, and professor of Pharmacology, said that Hirshberg’s sound performances gave indications that he had a “best chance to proceed and prosper in medicine.” Receiving the “Future Physician Award” was Kai Jacobson. This recognition was defined as one which identifies a student with the qualities and character that “will make a great physician.” Susan Kim received the “White Coat Award” for altruism. Five Vincentian Trinity students: Gamal Fitzpatrick, Jared Gordon, Franké Joseph, Asfo Stephens Jr, and Veronique Walker, participated in this ceremony.

Staff and faculty members receiving awards were as follows: “Best Support Staff” went to Jerry Da Silva; “Best Pre-med Faculty”, to Marcus Caine; “Best Med Terms 1 – 4 Faculty,” to Dr Mignonette Sotto; and “Best Med Term 5 Faculty,” to Dr James Lawerence.

Trinity is the first four-year medical school to be established here in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Its students complete a total of 10 terms before they move on to residency at hospitals in the United States. During the first five terms, the students study basic sciences like Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pathology, Histology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, and Introduction to Clinical Medicine, which is facilitated at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital. On completion of these, they write the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) Comprehensive Basic Science examination, an extensive exit exam which gives approval for students to write the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1.

For the next five terms, the students do clinical rotations in Family Medicine, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and some electives; after this, they sit the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills and Clinical Knowledge, for permission to practise as a resident in the United States. The ‘MATCH,’ a program of matching medical students with residency programs, affords residency in hospitals in the USA.

Two Vincentians, Drs Desline Lewis and Delia Franklyn, have gone through this entire education at Trinity and are now currently working at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital here. A new term is expected to begin on Monday, May 12. The institution will hold its third graduation ceremony in June of this year.