Trinity, AMSA spread Christmas cheer to children around SVG

In this, the season of giving, the Trinity chapters, the Society of Medicine and Surgery (SMS) and the American Medical Students Association (AMSA), continued to make their mark in bringing joy and Christmas cheer to children in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).{{more}} Presentations of cash and gifts were made at the school on Monday, December 12, by representatives of the organizations, in the presence of Dean Adkinson and Dr Frances Jack.

The Society of Medicine and Surgery, represented by Public Relations director Caleb Ackermann, made a monetary donation to the members of the Kourageous Kidz Foundation, a charitable organization, whose main focus makes the welfare of children in SVG a priority. The group of volunteers is guided by a commitment to inspire, empower, nurture and protect the vulnerable children in the country. PR director Ackermann intimated the value to medical students giving back to their community. “It is a really valuable thing for medical students to do, because the practice is about engaging in the community,” he explained, “Many students want to engage with the community, but do not have a structured way to do so. I think that SMS gives us a way, not only to have fun playing dodge ball but also to raise money for charity.”

Executive volunteer Kimalla Cambridge has lauded Trinity SMS for its donation, stating that it has been consistent and the Foundation was extremely grateful. “We are definitely elated about this because this is where our funds come from – donations from organizations such as Trinity SMS and thrift sales which we conduct,” she stated. She explained that the money will go towards the children registered under the Foundation and to make the extra effort to donate supplies of food to their families also.

This gesture of selflessness was also shown by the Canadian Medical Students Association (CaMSA), represented by their president, Sonia Staystazin, who handed over a number of barrels of gifts to two social workers from the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, Karen Johnson and Kevan Glasgow. “We tried to, at least, triple the amount of children we are catering for this year,” president Sonia disclosed. “We wrapped over 90 gifts this year.”

Social worker Karen Johnson was simply happy for the gesture. “Trinity has come forward and I am happy they could share and give back.” She said that 50 children at the hospital were earmarked to receive gifts, along with other members of the families to which the children belong. Social worker Kevan Glasgow explained that during the assessment of the single patient done by the Social Work Department, consideration is given to other family members. “Instead of meeting that one child’s need,” he noted, “we try

to assist the other children in the home, in order to create a better environment.”

Dean Adkinson expressed her thoughts and opinions on the necessity of such activities to future doctors. “It’s exactly what we want a physician to be: to be able to talk to their patients, to identify at some level with them. They have to understand what the community needs, who the leaders are and how the community works. They also have to know how they, interact within that framework,” she affirmed. She was clear to state that if the students do not become good, caring physicians, they will not have very many patients. Trinity School of Medicine continues to encourage its students to use available avenues for excellent community interaction.