AUS holds 11th White Coat Ceremony

By: Dr Shakel Henson

Dean of Student Affairs

Assistant Professor at the American University of St Vincent School of Medicine

Hard work, compassion and caring for others were highly stressed at the recently held 11th White Coat Ceremony (WCC) of the American University of St Vincent School of Medicine (AUS). On Friday, September 9, 2016, 19 aspiring physicians donned their white coats. With a sense of pride and heads held high, these medical students accepted the challenge and responsibility of becoming health care professionals with a commitment to serving others.{{more}}

Dr Bharatti Datta, consultant paediatrician at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital in St Vincent and the Grenadines, urged the students to adopt a “recipe for success”. This experienced physician described this recipe as having “a dash of hunger, some consistency, lots of tenacity and a good listener”. Dr Datta further stated that the aforementioned should be mixed with “thoughts of who you want to be”, and ought to be, “garnished with compassion and empathy”. Her words appeared to be well received by the group of new medical students, who later in the ceremony recited the Hippocratic Oath, which also stressed the need for compassion and humility.

It was a momentous occasion that was witnessed by faculty, staff and management of AUS, family and friends, as well as seasoned students of the institution. This event, held at the NIS building in Kingstown, marked the initial steps of a journey that leads to a noble career. Representing regional as well as international countries, the students beamed with excitement and enthusiasm as they were welcomed into the field of medicine. The occasion, which often symbolizes a significant milestone in the lives of medical students, entailed the cloaking of individuals, from countries like Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Nigeria, Cameroon, St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada and the United States of America. This group of students will further contribute to the cultural mosaic, which is seen at AUS.

Dean of Basic Sciences at AUS Dr Dommalur Jayarangaiah encouraged the prospective physicians to be disciplined and studious so that their goals may be realized. He stressed that “every day is an opportunity for learning” and further urged the students to remain focused throughout their career. Dr Shakel Henson, an assistant professor at AUS and dean of Student Affairs, was the moderator of the ceremony and reiterated the need for the students to remain committed to the field of medicine, at the end of the evening’s event. Dr Bary Aussi, consultant general surgeon and lecturer, along with Dr Rajesh Rawal, an assistant professor at AUS, made various presentations to some students.

The aspiring physicians were further motivated by a fellow student, president of the AUS’ Student Government Association, Aaron Opoku Agyemang. He advised the students to work hard and emphasized that success also requires discipline, humility and faith.

AUS’ dean of Basic Sciences, Dr Dommalur Jayarangaiah, and the Campus Operations manager, Syam SL, were pleased with the evening’s event and vowed that AUS’ White Coat ceremonies in the future are likely to witness even more students entering its medical programme. New students, enrolled in the pre-medical programme, were also present at the ceremony. These students hail from countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

First established in 2012, the American University of St Vincent School of Medicine is a medical school, located at New Montrose, St Vincent and the Grenadines. It is locally accredited by the National Accreditation Board of St Vincent and the Grenadines and is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO).