SGU’s Holds First-Ever Tech Expo

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From displaying the latest advancements in virtual reality to exploring the benefits of high-tech simulation labs used for educational purposes, St. George’s University recently held its first-ever Technology Exposition Week on campus.

More than 250 members of the SGU community attended the week-long event, which took place from October 28 to November 2, in which participants were able to engage in interactive sessions presented by a variety of SGU departments to highlight the University’s technology offerings.

“Technology has been modifying and redefining the face of education for years now and our goal is to provide our students with the knowledge and skills to navigate these new learning environments,” said Dr. David Twum-Barimah, chair of the Committee for Technology-Based Teaching and Learning (CTTL) and director of Student Campus Facilities. “The purpose of the SGU Tech Expo was to focus on technology and innovation applications at the University and to share, learn, and transfer those tools among the community.”

Highlights from the Tech Expo included:

  • A presentation by SGU’s medical illustrators, which create visual images that help explain complex medical information;
  • An interactive display of the latest tech used in virtual reality and 3D printing applications within medical education;
  • Tours of the School of Medicine and School of Veterinary Medicine simulation labs;
  • A presentation by SGU’s Department of Educational Services on technology in education;
  • The School of Arts and Sciences IT presentation and display; and
  • A tour of the SGU Command Center.

 

“Through the introduction of the SGU Tech Expo Week, the campus community was able to physically connect with a variety of different technologies on display before them,” added Dr. Twum-Barimah. “By participating in a series of engaging events, attendees were able to explore how technology is influencing and transforming their fields of interest and how it can be applied in order to drive innovation forward in a rapidly evolving world.”

The Tech Expo was hosted by SGU’s Committee for Technology-Based Teaching and Learning (CTTL). The committee, which consists of faculty and students from each school as well as members of staff, administration, and the Office of Information Technology, aims to explore technology-based solutions for teaching and learning experiences to further enhance the academic technology used by the SGU community.

Didn’t attend? Check out our top photos from the SGU Tech Expo 2024. 

 

  • Participant using virtual reality device.

  • Close up of virtual reality device.

  • Virtual reality device user.

  • SAS IT students display autonomous mobile robots.

  • SAS IT student showcases computer components.

  • 3D printing machine.

  • Close up of 3D printer.

  • SAS IT students display 3D renders using blender application.

  • SAS IT student highlights another 3D render using blender software.

  • Participant utilizing high fidelity simulation mannequin in the SOM sim lab.

  • Phlebotomy demonstration in the SOM simulation lab.

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– Ray-Donna Peters

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St. George’s University Announces Admissions Partnership with Suffolk County Community College

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photo of SGU campus

St. George’s University and Suffolk County Community College have established an admissions partnership that grants qualified Suffolk students fast-track status and expedited entry into the St. George’s University School of Medicine or School of Veterinary Medicine.

“St. George’s University is delighted to offer this new opportunity for aspiring doctors and veterinarians from Suffolk County Community College to pursue degrees in medicine and veterinary medicine with us,” said Dr. Marios Loukas, dean of St. George’s University School of Medicine. “SGU is tremendously proud to partner with SCCC and to offer multiple pathways to healthcare careers with flexible options to meet students’ different academic objectives.”

Dr. Edward Bonahue, president of Suffolk County Community College, expressed his enthusiasm for the new partnership: “This partnership represents a significant step forward in providing community college students with a clear pathway forward to advanced degrees in medicine and veterinary medicine. This partnership will help to build a pipeline of highly trained professionals who are well-prepared to meet the growing demand for highly educated healthcare professionals. We are proud to work alongside St. George’s University to make these dream careers a reality for our graduates.”

The partnership creates a “2+2+4” admissions pathway that provides SCCC students who have successfully completed an associate’s degree in arts and sciences, and who proceed to complete a baccalaureate premedical or pre-veterinary medical program at an SGU partner university in the New York area, with admission into SGU’s 4-year Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program. Suffolk students interested in pursuing this pathway must complete all necessary prerequisite undergraduate coursework, maintain a strong overall GPA and sciences GPA, and score competitively on relevant entrance exams, including the MCAT for the School of Medicine.

The partnership also creates a “2+5” admissions pathway that provides Suffolk students completing an associate’s degree in arts and sciences with admission into SGU’s 5-year Doctor of Medicine program. This program consists of a pre-clinical year and two years of basic sciences, which can be completed on SGU’s campus in Grenada or at Northumbria University in the United Kingdom, followed by two years of clinical rotations in SGU’s network of affiliated hospitals and health systems.

SGU School of Medicine works with a network of more than 75 hospitals and health systems in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, offering clinical and ambulatory training. The School of Veterinary Medicine offers clinical training at over 30 affiliated institutions in six countries.

Participating students will be eligible to be considered for all of SGU’s School of Medicine and School of Veterinary Medicine scholarships and grants. SGU granted more than $71 million in scholarships in the 2023-2024 academic year.

 

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St. George’s University Announces New Admissions Partnership with Brooklyn College

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SGU Campus

St. George’s University announces a new admissions partnership with CUNY-Brooklyn College that grants qualified Brooklyn College students fast-track status and expedited entry into the St. George’s University School of Medicine.

“St. George’s University is delighted to offer this new opportunity for aspiring doctors from Brooklyn College to pursue degrees in medicine with us,” said Dr. Marios Loukas, Dean of St. George’s University School of Medicine. “SGU has a long-standing relationship with New York City, home to many of our students and alumni, and we are pleased to create an additional pathway for New York students to enter the medical profession.”

The partnership creates a “4+4” admissions pathway that provides students who have successfully completed Brooklyn College’s premedical program with admission to the four-year programs at SGU. Brooklyn College students interested in pursuing the pathway must maintain a strong overall GPA of 3.4 or higher, and score competitively on the MCAT medical school entrance examination. The program is open to students when they apply to Brooklyn College or during their first two years of study.

The pathway includes the option to complete both years of the basic sciences component at SGU’s campus in Grenada, or to complete one year at Northumbria University in the United Kingdom, with clinical rotations in the third and fourth years at various SGU affiliates, including those in the United States. SGU School of Medicine works with a network of more than 75 hospitals and health systems in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, offering clinical and ambulatory training.

“We are excited to expand our offerings to students interested in studying medicine to the St. George’s University School of Medicine,” said April Bedford, Brooklyn College’s provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “The strong foundation students receive in our premedical program will prepare them well for the next step in their educational journey and careers in healthcare.”

Accepted participants may be eligible to be considered for all of SGU’s School of Medicine and scholarships and grants, including SGU’s CityDoctors scholarships for graduates of New York City high schools who wish to return to New York to practice medicine after completing their MD. SGU granted more than $71 million in scholarships in the 2023-2024 academic year.

SOM Faculty Feature: Dr. Ewarld Marshall, Chair of the Department of Pathology

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Dr. Ewarld Marshall

Dr. Ewarld Marshall wears many hats in the St. George’s University School of Medicine. But one of the positions he takes most seriously is that of role model to his students as they pursue their passion to earn an MD.

Dr. Marshall serves as the chair of the Department of Pathology, director of the diagnostic lab, and was recently made associate director of University Health Services. He began his tenure at SGU in 2006 as a clinical instructor, working his way up to lecturer, then associate professor, and now department chair. In that time, he also earned master’s degrees in anatomical science and in medical education.

Dr. Marshall, originally from Grenada, began his career in banking before transitioning to medicine. He trained in Havana, Cuba to become a family practitioner and completed his post-graduate studies in emergency and resuscitation medicine. During his time in Cuba, he also became fluent in Spanish, a skill he still utilizes regularly.

SGU News sat down with Dr. Marshall to learn more about him and his approach to teaching at SGU.

SGU: What are you most proud of in your career?

Dr. Marshall: As a practicing physician, I can touch many lives by seeing patients, but I think I make a bigger impact when I teach medical students. I take that seriously because it’s a representation of you as an educator, the pearls of wisdom that you pass on to your students, and how you portray that professionalism to them. That’s one of the things that I can say I am proudest about my career, and I’m thankful for that opportunity.

SGU: What do you love most about teaching, and what are the key takeaways you want your students to learn?

Dr. Marshall: It’s really a joy to see when those light bulbs go off when student make the connections when learning. That’s what I would like my students to do. I want my students to be able to reason, to be able to think, and to become problem solvers.
I want them to be comprehensive, empathetic physicians, so I try to give students behavior to emulate. I also want them to recognize that medicine is a privilege that someone is given to serve humanity. It’s about more about service than about oneself.

SGU: What fascinates you about pathology?

Dr. Marshall: It’s a beautiful specialty because it actually helps you to become a better clinician. It’s very broad, and we call it the “mother of internal medicine.” It’s a very foundational science that is necessary to become a good physician. Diagnosis, treatment, patient care—they go hand in hand.
Pathology, as a field, is very scientifically based. You must use a lot of intuition because you are examining body tissues, blood, and in the case of forensic pathology, evidence left by the living on the dead. You are consistently integrating medical knowledge and science.

SGU: What advice do you have for medical students just starting at SGU?

Dr. Marshall: Medicine is a journey and not a destination. It’s about persistence, it’s about passion, and it’s about perseverance. You must always remember why you wanted to become a physician.

As you go through medical school, you will encounter many people, people who you might think are smarter or more successful than you. Being better than them should not be your goal. You should learn to be the best physician that you can be, and that should be your personal goal. You got into medicine to improve the quality of life for humanity.

SGU: Why should prospective medical students consider SGU?

Dr. Marshall: SGU has one of the most diverse populations of students. I think a student who attends SGU gets a lesson in global diversity in that you meet and interact with so many different cultures. You learn so many nuances that it broadens your horizons in terms of how you are going to approach your patients.
Prospective medical students should also consider SGU’s curriculum. Our curriculum is designed in such a way that it accommodates many learning types.

SGU: Being on campus, where is your favorite place to eat?

Dr. Marshall: I’m going to be a bit biased but the Cuban Corner. My favorite thing to eat is a Cuban staple, which is black beans, rice, and pork steak. The food reminds me of my journey and is a bit nostalgic. It reminds me of where I was, where I am now, and how far I’ve come.

 

 

— Juliette Kimmins

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St. George’s University Announces New Admissions Partnership with Wilfrid Laurier University

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St. George’s University (SGU) has launched a new admissions partnership with Wilfrid Laurier University that will grant qualified Laurier students fast-track admission into SGU’s School of Medicine.

“St. George’s University is delighted to offer this new opportunity for aspiring doctors from Wilfrid Laurier University to pursue degrees in medicine with us,” said Dr. Marios Loukas, dean of St. George’s University School of Medicine. “SGU is tremendously proud to partner with Laurier to create more avenues for qualified Canadian students to become practicing physicians, while helping to address Canada’s ongoing physician shortage.”

The partnership creates a “4+4” pathway that provides students who have successfully completed a four-year premedical curriculum at Laurier admission to the four-year MD program at SGU. Laurier students interested in pursuing the pathway must maintain a strong undergraduate GPA and complete all prerequisite coursework in the health sciences.

The pathway also includes an option for students to enter the first year of the MD program at SGU’s campus in Grenada after their third year at Laurier, provided they meet the standards of admission.

Students may apply to the pathway upon application to Laurier’s Honours Science program, or while an enrolled student in most Bachelor of Science programs. Qualified students will be eligible to complete the basic sciences component of the SGU MD program in either two years of study in Grenada, or one year at Northumbria University in the United Kingdom and one year in Grenada.

Students’ clinical rotations will take place with SGU affiliates, including those in the United States and the United Kingdom. SGU School of Medicine works with a network of more than 75 hospitals and health systems in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, offering clinical and ambulatory training. Students who have graduated from Laurier within the past five years are eligible to apply to the program, meaning the agreement will also benefit Laurier alumni.

“This strategic partnership opens additional pathways into medical education for Laurier students taking many of our science programs and provides our graduates with Laurier-specific scholarships and benefits to support them as they enter medical school,” said Laurier Faculty of Science Dean Anthony J. Clarke. “We are excited to partner with St. George’s University to enhance our program offerings to students.”

Laurier students who are accepted into the pathways with a sufficiently high overall GPA and sciences GPA will be awarded a scholarship of U.S. $85,000 at SGU School of Medicine. Students will also be eligible to be considered for all of SGU’s School of Medicine scholarships. SGU granted more than U.S. $50 million in scholarships in the 2022-2023 academic year.

Graduates of SGU School of Medicine have the option to write exams that allow them to practice medicine in Canada, the UK, or the United States.

SGU Welcomes Aspiring Physicians and Veterinarians at Fall 2024 White Coat Ceremonies in Grenada

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St. George’s University’s newest classes of medical and veterinary medical students recently gathered on SGU’s True Blue campus in Grenada to mark the start of their professional journeys.

With their friends and families cheering them on, future physicians and veterinarians received their white coats at the School of Veterinary Medicine and School of Medicine White Coat Ceremonies, held on August 31 and September 14, respectively. The ceremonies took place in Patrick F. Adams Hall.

 

View SOM White Coat Ceremony Instagram reel

 

White Coat Ceremonies are a storied tradition within both medical and veterinary medical schools. During the event, a white coat is placed on each student’s shoulders—sometimes by family members or mentors who have completed the same journey before them.

Medical students then recite the Oath of Professionalism, where they pledge to honor the sacred trust and privilege society places on medical professionals while treating their patients. Veterinary medical students affirm an oath of commitment by agreeing to uphold the principles of veterinary medical ethics and the highest professional standards.

 

View SVM White Coat Ceremony Instagram reel

 

What it’s like to be coated? SGU’s newest physicians- and veterinarians-in-training share what it means to them to put on their white coat.

 

“I feel incredibly grateful and very happy to have been coated by SVM professor emeritus, Dr. Rhonda Pinckney. She is an amazing woman and doctor. She’s done a lot with her career and it’s very inspirational. I hope to be as great as she is one day. As for me, I knew I wanted to work with animals when I learned about endangered and extinct species and realized that a lot of human actions harm wildlife. So, I decided I wanted to do something about that.”

– Sydney Stephens
Charlotte, NC
Term 1 SVM

 

“It feels surreal to be sitting next to my classmates and having my family and friends here to support me at my White Coat Ceremony. I’m the first in my family to go to college and the first to pursue a career in medicine. This was also my first time ever traveling overseas. I did the SeeSGU Program and once I visited the campus in person, I was sold. Being here feels amazing because so much effort, time, dedication, and hard work went into preparing for this moment.”

    – Eric Amason
Houston, TX
Term 1 SOM

 

View the full SOM White Coat Ceremony on YouTube

 

 

“I know I made the right decision choosing SGU because of all the support I’ve received so far on my journey to becoming the first doctor in my family. And being able to put on that white coat means I’ve taken another step toward that dream. And as a bonus, the campus is beautiful. I wake up to an ocean view, I go to class with an ocean view, and I go to sleep to an ocean view.”

– Gape Ketshajwang
Botswana
Term 1 SOM

 

“I was crying the whole time during the ceremony because I couldn’t believe it. I’ve been dreaming about becoming a veterinarian or even getting into veterinary medical school and now I’m here and I got my white coat. Both my parents are veterinarians and although they couldn’t be here to coat me, they’re super proud of me and are cheering me on back home.”

  – Wilhemina Medina
Southern California
Term 1 SVM

 

View the full SVM White Coat Ceremony on YouTube

 

– Ray-Donna Peters

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SGU Alumni Charity Drive Aids Grenadians Impacted by Hurricane Beryl

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Hurricane Beryl relief efforts

Photos courtesy of Grenada’s Office of the Prime Minister.

Drawing on the generosity and compassion of the St. George’s University community, the School of Medicine Alumni Association (SOMAA) and friends led a successful charity drive this summer to help those impacted by Hurricane Beryl in Carriacou, Petite Martinique, and northern Grenada.

“On behalf of the SOMAA, we are grateful to our SGU family for helping us raise more than $77,000 for this worthy cause,” said Matthew Melamed, MD ’14, MPH ’08, FACEP, president of the SOMAA. “SGU’s connection to the people of Grenada as well as its sister islands, Carriacou and Petite Martinque, is innate. We felt it crucial that we do our part as an organization to support them during their time of need, and we could not have done it without the generous donations from the SGU community and friends. Thank you for your help.”

The monies donated will be used to aid in the re-establishment of medical and clinical services in areas devastated by Beryl.

Hurricane Beryl, which made landfall in Carriacou on July 1, was the earliest forming Category 5 hurricane on record and the first for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Although the storm was only the third hurricane in almost 70 years to the island, it caused widespread devastation to the northern parishes of Grenada, and severely impacted the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Many residents there lost their homes and/or businesses, while other areas were uninhabitable.

 

SGU Students Aid in Grenada’s Relief Efforts Following Hurricane Beryl

 

Through a coordinated partnership with the SGU Alumni Affairs department, the Grenada COVID Crisis Group, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Grenadians United in Virginia Inc., SOMAA was able to respond swiftly to the humanitarian crisis on the ground.

The Grenada COVID Crisis Group was formed during the global pandemic to organize a relief effort for the island during a time of much uncertainty. The Grenadians United in Virginia Inc. is an organization whose focus for the past 25 years is to extend medical assistance to Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinque, according to Dwight Matthias, MD ’93, secretary of the SOMAA Executive Committee, coordinator of the Grenada COVID-19 Crisis Group, and vice president of Grenadians United in Virginia.

“It was a natural fit for the groups to come together to assist those affected by Hurricane Beryl,” said Dr. Matthias. “It has truly been a team effort—and we will continue to extend our assistance where needed.”

The request for assistance was put out shortly after the storm made landfall, and the response from alumni and friends has been nothing short of remarkable, according to Brendon La Grenade, EdD, SGU vice provost of Institutional Advancement and head of Alumni Affairs.

“This was the first national crisis faced by Grenadians since the COVID-19 pandemic and it is no surprise that our alumni rallied to help the island they once called home,” Dr. La Grenade said. “We cannot thank you enough for being the wonderful humanitarians that you are. We are happy to report that, through efforts like these, the situation on the islands of Carriacou, Petite Martinique, and northern Grenada continues to improve daily. Your willingness to support this effort has truly made a difference.”

SGU also recognizes alumni who have visited, or plan to visit, the island to pitch in with relief efforts.

 

— Laurie Chartorynsky

 

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St. George’s University Announces New Partnership with Larkin University

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SGU Campus

St. George’s University has renewed its admissions partnership with Larkin University that grants qualified Larkin students fast-track status and expedited entry into the St. George’s University School of Medicine and School of Veterinary Medicine.

“St. George’s University is delighted to offer this new opportunity for aspiring doctors and veterinarians from Larkin University to pursue degrees in medicine and veterinary medicine with us,” said Dr. Marios Loukas, Dean of St. George’s University School of Medicine. “SGU is tremendously proud to partner with Larkin University and recognizes their dedication to the healthcare needs of minority and underserved communities.”

 

“SGU is tremendously proud to partner with Larkin University and recognizes their dedication to the healthcare needs of minority and underserved communities.”

 

The partnership creates an admissions pathway that provides students who have successfully completed Larkin’s Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences with admission to the four-year MD or DVM programs at SGU. Larkin students interested in pursuing the pathway must maintain a strong overall GPA and sciences GPA, and score competitively on relevant entrance exams, including the MCAT for the School of Medicine.

Both pathways have options to complete both years of the basic sciences component at SGU’s campus in Grenada, or to complete one year at Northumbria University in the United Kingdom, with clinical rotations in the third and fourth years at various SGU affiliates, including those in the United States. SGU School of Medicine works with a network of more than 75 hospitals and health systems in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom offering clinical and ambulatory training. The School of Veterinary Medicine offers clinical training at over 30 affiliated institutions in six countries.

“At Larkin University we are proud of our College of Biomedical Sciences and their tremendous success in advancing educational opportunities for South Florida’s diverse communities. Our Alumni, serving our communities as medical doctors, dentists, pharmacists, or PAs are a testimony for the success of the program, the ability of our graduates to get accepted in competitive medical schools, and the readiness of our graduates to successfully master medical school,” said Dr. Rudi H Ettrich, President of Larkin University.” As a long term partner of St. George’s University with several of our graduates having chosen SGU’s School of Medicine, we’re thrilled to continue to offer this very attractive pathway for our students to make their dreams of becoming a doctor a reality. SGU provides students with first-class medical education demonstrated by impressive matching rates into U.S. residency and exceptional graduates who match into competitive residency programs on their way to becoming medical doctors.”

Students who are accepted into the MD pathway will be granted a $10,000 scholarship for the SGU School of Medicine. Accepted participants may be eligible to be considered for all of SGU’s School of Medicine and School of Veterinary Medicine scholarships and grants. SGU granted more than $50 million in scholarships in the 2022-2023 academic year.

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SGU Unveils Campus Enhancements for New Academic Year

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As the August 2024 term begins, St. George’s University has completed several exciting campus upgrades for the University community to enjoy.

“We are eager to welcome back our students, staff, and faculty to our vibrant campus here in True Blue,” said Dr. Glen Jacobs, provost at SGU. “As we continue to set SGU apart as a unique international educational center, we are excited to share our new and improved facilities.”

SGU is continually looking at ways it can improve campus life for students, staff, and faculty who hail from 140 countries around the world. The 42-acre Grenada campus is built for a safe, comfortable learning environment, with many modern amenities. The goal of the campus expansion and redevelopment efforts is to further enhance the overall student experience at SGU.

“As we prepare for the start of the new term, SGU continues to create spaces and make improvements to foster an exceptional learning environment,” said Christina Verderosa, SGU’s director of operations. “From providing greater capacity for more hands-on training to access to new technologically-advanced equipment, we truly believe these enhancements will greatly contribute to our top priority—our students’ success.”

Check out a few of the new things students, faculty, and staff can look forward to starting this term:

  • Classroom renovations: This includes major renovations of the ground floor of Ray and Jan Sis Hall to expand, upgrade, and modernize the junior surgery lab and its surrounding spaces—including state-of-the-art medical training and surgery equipment. And the Charter Hall Veterinary Lab received a full face-lift with new furniture and fixtures, floor outlets, and new flooring. Last winter, Founder Annex 1 was upgraded with new tables, chairs, carpet, and floor outlets. SGU also recently updated the remaining three Founders Annex classrooms with the same configuration, adding two movable walls to split the classrooms and provide maximum flexibility.
  • Multi-faith prayer area: Working in collaboration with the University’s Muslim Students Association (MSA), SGU has constructed a large prayer area located next to Marion Hall. The area has the capacity to fit over 300 people. It features a fully renovated space with new carpet, male and female ablution areas, audio system, shoe storage rooms, and prayer mats. All new fixtures including lighting, air conditioning, and fire and life safety systems have been installed. Male and female bathrooms were also added right outside of the entrance to the prayer area.
  • Dog park: Sponsored by the Hills College Feeding Program, the new dog park is located between Keith B. Taylor Hall and St. Andrew’s Hall. It is more than 7,000 square feet fenced in and features a pet-friendly water fountain, an agility course, benches for visitors, and a pet waste station.
  • Additional large animal farm: The new large animal farm was constructed adjacent to the existing one. It features a new barn, a field for animals, and a two-story building. The building houses faculty offices on the top floor and a large student lab, bathrooms, and faculty equipment rooms on the bottom floor.
  • Small Animal Clinic conference/teaching room: This venue received a full upgrade and expansion with new furniture and fixtures, new lighting, new flooring, and an upgraded AV system. This space will also be pet friendly, with vinyl tiles.
  • Nutmeg dorm upgrade: SGU has begun a multi-year effort to upgrade all campus dormitories, starting with its villa style dorms. The Nutmeg dorm is the first fully upgraded dormitory. The rooms now contain new kitchens with all new appliances, desks, tables, bathroom furniture, and fixtures. The space also features upgraded air conditioning, lighting, ceiling, and flooring.
  • Tiki bar: As requested by the University’s Student Government Association (SGA), SGU has constructed a Tiki Bar on the beachfront at Andrew Belford Center. This venue is expected to host various SGA and student organization events.

 

  • Ray and Jan Sis Hall expansion

  • Charter Hall Veterinary Lab

  • Founder Annex classroom

  • Multi-faith prayer area

  • Multi-faith prayer area

  • Multi-faith prayer area (ablution area)

  • Dog park

  • Dog park

  • Large animal farm

  • LARF teaching area/classroom

  • Nutmeg dorm upgrade

  • Nutmeg dorm upgrade

  • Tiki bar

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– Ray-Donna Peters 

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SGU SOM Students Get Hands-On Experience in Kenya, Czech Republic

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Tiara Singletary with her cohort in Kenya

St. George’s University School of Medicine students experienced practicing medicine abroad this summer by participating in international selectives in Nairobi, Kenya and Prague, Czech Republic.

“International selectives offer unique experiences for future physicians in so many ways. Not only do you get to travel to beautiful locations such as Prague, Kenya, or Costa Rica, but you also get to see what it would be like to practice medicine there,” said David Nahabedian, SGU’s director of selectives and assistant director and senior medical illustrator at the Center for BioMedical Visualization.

“Czech” yes to new experiences

This year, the Prague selective hosted 25 students from July 6 to 19. The group’s itinerary included morning hospital visits and evening lectures with pre-assigned doctors.

Rising Term 2 student Saira Mohammed of Trinidad and Tobago says she will remember her time in Prague as her first time being present in the operating theatre during surgery. She is also grateful for the experience to build her cultural understanding and competency in a new country.

Saira Mohammed with her cohort in Prague

“It was mind-opening to consider how differences in culture and healthcare systems affect the accessibility to healthcare and prevalence of some diseases within the Czech population,” Saira said.

Carlie Hanlon, a Term 5 SOM student, along with their peers, had the opportunity to visit a hospital specializing in transplant surgery. They observed a kidney transplant operation, describing it as one of the most notable experiences on their trip.

“It was amazing to see new life being pumped into the transplanted organs once the newly united blood vessels were unclamped,” Carlie said. “The patient’s new kidney turned from grey to pink in a matter of seconds and will hopefully provide many more years for them.”

Carlie Hanlon wearing a synthetic cast on her arm

Carlie Hanlon wearing a synthetic cast on her arm placed by her colleague.

Carlie also observed significant differences between the Czech and American healthcare systems. They came away from their experience having learned a lot and admired the strong emphasis on preventative medicine in Czech healthcare.

“Studying medicine in Prague was such a unique and rewarding experience. I am grateful to SGU for providing me with this opportunity,” they said.

Observing patients…and giraffes

The Kenya selective saw two groups this summer comprising of 18 and 20 students. The groups visited two different hospitals where they were able to rotate through different specialties. When they weren’t helping in hospitals, they participated in other activities like visiting the Samburu tribe, going on a safari to learn about the local animals, and visiting orphanages to play with the children.

Tiara Singletary with her cohort in Kenya

Tiara Singletary with one of the Kenya international selective cohorts.

“The Kenya experience is unique because students learn from local clinical consultants and leaders of pastoral communities. They learn about healthcare delivery in urban and rural environments and are exposed to the human, domestic animal, and wildlife interaction,” said Dr. Calum Macpherson, course director for the Kenya selective and dean of the School of Graduate Studies.

Term two student Tiara Singletary was in Kenya from June 6 to 18. There, she gained a plethora of experience shadowing in the psychiatric unit, burn unit, general surgery, CT and MRI scans, orthopedic surgery, labor and delivery ward, and the accident and emergency unit.

Tiara Singletary with a giraffe in Kenya

Whether Tiara was examining patients, delivering babies, or participating in surgeries, to her, it was an amazing opportunity and honor to care for the patients.

“It was a great opportunity to take part in something I would love to do in the future. I learned so much from my time there, knowledge that I want to implement when I become a doctor,” she said.

Tiara said she gained a greater appreciation for the importance of valuing diversity, especially as an aspiring doctor.

“I will always carry with me the conversations that I had, and I would like to continue learning as much as I can,” she said.

Experiences to shape a career

As for what SOM students gained from the 2024 international selectives, many reflected on how their experiences have allowed them to grow personally and professionally. They say the selectives have helped them refine their approach to medicine in a more culturally competent way.

“During medical school, we study clinical correlations related to subjects like biochemistry, genetics, and physiology,” Saira said. “This hands-on experience brings written knowledge to life, emphasizing the importance of building a strong foundation during these years. It demonstrates that much of what we learn will be applied in practice, and the effort is worthwhile when we can positively impact and save a patient’s life.”

A group of SOM students standing in front of Motol Hospital in Prague

The Costa Rica selective also took place this summer for Master of Public Health students, which allowed SOM students to attend as a practicum. The SOM Costa Rica selective will run from November 10 to 19, 2024.

For more information about available fall international selectives, visit the Basic Sciences portal.

 

— Juliette Kimmins

 

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