Faculty members Drs. Muftau Yekeen and Carolyn Edmondson (row 1, far left and right), and Drs. Richard Van West-Charles and Ameed Raoof (centre), pose with the new inductees after the ceremony.
St. Helen University School of Medicine & Health Sciences hosted its first annual Code of Honour and White Coat Ceremony, Friday, an event that serves to officially indoctrinate new students into the world of medicine and health sciences.
The event welcomed not only SHU’s new medical students, but also the inaugural nursing class of 2017, a total of 33 new students from eight countries worldwide.
A bevy of faculty—both full time and visiting—were on hand to congratulate the students, including Dr. Ameed Raoof, board member and Head of the Department of Anatomy, who presented the feature address.
He congratulated the students on their admission and the faculty for a job well done.
“When we convened to put the curriculum together we stressed that we wanted to maintain very high standards, which we have,” he said to the students, adding that while their courses wouldn’t be easy, they should strive to maintain high standards in their conduct, their coursework, and as professionals.
Student of the Year! Senior Lecturer for biochemistry, Dr Muftau Yekeen (left) and Academic Dean Dr. Richard Van West Charles congratulate Medical student Andrew Cameron. Cameron was presented with the Dean’s Award and a certificate of distinction for outstanding performance during his pre-med year.
The highlights of the evening, however, were the students. Still animated from a slew of Welcome Week activities, they could not hide their enthusiasm at being official inductees.
Pre-medicine student, Adelaja Dalrymple of Guyana, recalled the admission process.
“I applied to both St. Helen University and St. Georges, but I eventually chose SHU and I’m happy I did. Throughout the entire process, I had to remind myself that it was real. The faculty is professional and very knowledgeable, the island is wonderful and the school is very welcoming. I’m looking forward to putting on my white coat next year!”
Nursing student Andrina Stanislas of St. Lucia, said: “The first time I set foot here, I felt welcome. The faculty are nice, the lecturers are friendly and the staff makes you feel at home. After taking our codes of honour today I really feel like I’m part of the school.”
The honourary student of the evening was Guyanese medical student Andrew Cameron.
“This has been a great experience for me,” he said. “The white coat ceremony was memorable. Throughout the year, the faculty and staff have motivated me and I’m pleased with my performance. I especially want to thank my parents for supporting me.”
Cameron was presented with the Dean’s Award and a certificate of distinction for outstanding performance.
This is the university’s second intake of students since it opened its doors in January 2013. Including St Lucia, the new student body comprises American, Ghanaian, Guyanese, Jamaican, Nigerian, Trinidadian, and Vincentian nationals.