SGU Legacy Families Pass the Torch at Spring SOM + SVM White Coat Ceremonies
For Alain Flores, MD ’98, and Theresa Ordona, MD ’98, there was never any doubt that their daughter, Marisa Ordona Flores would one day pursue a career in medicine. Although they never pressured her, when Marisa chose to attend St. George’s University School of Medicine, the proud alumni were overjoyed. They couldn’t wait to travel the 4,000 miles from California to Grenada to coat Marisa, who is now a first-term SOM student at SGU, during the recent School of Medicine White Coat Ceremony.
“Having my parents coat me was honestly one of the most memorable moments of my life so far,” said Marisa. “I’m so grateful to them because not only did they raise me to be who I am today; they were also inspirational leaders in my life. It’s such a blessing to have their support and I’m so happy I get to follow in their footsteps.”
With tears in his eyes, Dr. Flores, a family medicine physician in Stockton, CA, shared how special the experience was for him and his wife.
“Marisa has such a caring heart,” said Dr. Flores. “We always knew she would choose a career that allows her to connect with people and give back to others—that’s why becoming a doctor is perfect for her. The fact that she also chose to do it here at our alma mater, the place where her mom and I met—we couldn’t be prouder. This place holds a lot of magic and countless memories for us.”
The Legacy Continues…
SGU officially welcomed its newest classes of aspiring physicians and veterinarians into the professions on February 1. Both the School of Medicine and School of Veterinary Medicine White Coat Ceremonies took place at Patrick F. Adams Hall on SGU’s Grenada campus. Term 1 SOM students in Grenada also joined their fellow classmates from St. George’s University of Grenada School of Medicine/Northumbria University Four- and Five-Year Program, who officially began their journey two weeks earlier at Northumbria University in the United Kingdom.
Over the years, many alumni have returned to the island to help usher in SGU’S next generation of future physicians and veterinarians. For the Spring SOM and SVM White Coat Ceremonies, 10 graduates, including members of the Classes of 1982, 1998, 2003, and 2018, joined in the special privilege of coating their children, siblings, and mentees.
A Dream Come True
SVM student, Brooke Daniels and her mentor alumna Katherine Nelson, DVM ’18, shared a similar experience as the Flores’ family at the School of Veterinary Medicine White Coat Ceremony.
Working closely with Dr. Nelson as a veterinary technician, Brooke saw firsthand the skills her mentor had learned at SGU put into practice.
“I am over the moon right now,” Brooke said. “Dr. Nelson is quite literally the role model of my life. She is the veterinarian I aspire to be one day. I’m so grateful that she was able to make the trip down here to coat me. This has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, and I’m very excited it’s coming true.”
Dr. Nelson, an equine veterinarian in North Carolina, echoed the sentiments of just how special the day was to her: “Brooke is such a hard worker and I’m so proud that she’s here at SGU. I would have supported her wherever she went, but I am especially excited because this place holds such a special space in my heart. SGU has cultivated such an excellent learning environment not just for veterinary medical students, but for all students in general.”
After receiving their white lab coats, Brooke and her fellow veterinary medical students recited an oath of commitment, agreeing to uphold the principles of veterinary medical ethics and the highest professional standards. Medical students took the Oath of Professionalism, where they pledged to honor the sacred trust and privilege society places on medical professionals while treating their patients.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Also sharing a touching moment was Grenadian first-term SOM student, Jamal Courtney, BSN ’23, who was coated by his mentor, Beverly Nelson, MD ’86, a clinical associate professor at SGU and pioneer in pediatrics in Grenada.
After completing SGU’s nursing program, Jamal credits Dr. Nelson with inspiring him to continue his journey from nurse to future physician.
“Dr. Nelson has been a guiding presence in my life since infancy,” said Jamal. “She wasn’t just a mentor—she was my pediatrician from birth until I was 18. Growing up, I admired her kindness, patience, and unwavering dedication to her patients. I always knew I wanted to be like her—someone who embodied both skill and compassion. To have her place that white coat and everything it symbolizes on my shoulders was a moment of profound significance. It felt like everything had come full circle.”
Dr. Nelson had been Grenada’s sole pediatrician on island from 1994 to 1999. She was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire by then Prince of Wales, Charles III at Buckingham Palace in 2017.
“I’m so very proud of Jamal,” said Dr. Nelson. “I am happy for the part I played in his life that inspired him to become a physician. Grenada needs more healthcare professionals from all specialties, because I believe a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. As a nurse, Jamal saw firsthand the role he played in the lives of others. I know that as a physician, he will do even greater things for Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique.”
Other alumni coming back and bringing with them new additions to the Class of 2029:
- Christopher DeSantis, MD ’03, returned to coat his daughter, SOM student, Isabella DeSantis;
- Jadie Allard, an SOM student was coated by her mentor, Kazzara Raeburn, MD ’08; and
- Laurel Neville, MD ’19, came back to coat her brother, SOM student Jimmy Neville
– Ray-Donna Peters
