Medical students receive white coats at St James

Since its inception in 2013, the Saint James School of Medicine has this year seen its largest batch of medical students advancing from pre-clinical to the clinical stage of the institution’s programme.

Last Thursday, April 14, 49 students were presented with their white coats in front of family, friends and well-wishers at the Beachcombers Hotel.{{more}}

Speaking at the ceremony, keynote speaker, Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment Luke Browne congratulated the students on their achievement thus far.

The Minister noted that while the day was one of rejoicing, there must also be sober reflection for the long road that remains ahead.

“While you have attained an important milestone, you have not finished the course,” explained Browne. “And the path between here and the final destination is fraught with many dangers, toils and snares.”

He also commended the medical school for achieving such an increase in students participating in the white coat ceremony — after having 12 students in its first year of operation.

“I like this trajectory of growth and improvement, not just for economic reasons, but also because of the various mutual benefits to be derived from our partnership.”

However, Browne highlighted the challenge of increasing enrolment to match that of its sister campus in Anguilla.

The Minister offered the students a few encouraging words for them to take on the next step in advancing their medical careers.

“When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. Push through all the stress, the strain, the mental and physical exhaustion and fatigue, the frustration, the disappointments, the highs and the lows. We are cheering you on. We stand here today and we will always stand in support of you.”

In his address, faculty keynote speaker and Saint James alumni Shenil Jain likened the students’ lives and multiple-choice exams to that of a baseball game.

“Imagine you guys are in a baseball field. You and the pitcher, these are the only people who are playing the game — there is no audience, it is empty and there is no catcher… You are standing at the base, you are watching the pitcher and he throws a really fast ball.

“You take a swing and you miss, but the good thing is there is no catcher…which means you are not out; you are still in the game,” Jain added.

He explained that the absence of a catcher means the batter would be swinging repeatedly, and soon he would be able to realize patterns in the way the pitcher delivers his balls.

“That’s very similar to the MCQ’s, when you are doing MCQ’s; you look at the age, you look at the gender….these are all clues,” Jain said.

He reminded the students that it is their attitude, not their aptitude which would determine their altitude.

“Not only in medicine, but in life, whatever is coming your way or not coming your way, it doesn’t matter. To win the game you have to be in the game; if you quit you already lost.”

The students will now travel to the Jackson Park Hospital in Chicago for the clinical phase of their studies.

Students recited the Hippocratic oath along with Dr Anwarul Siddiqui, and were also given students’ awards for outstanding work in educational achievement and extra-curricular activities. (CM)