One of the best kept secrets in Caribbean Medical Schools | Trinity School of Medicine | Accredited caribbean medical school

There are quite a few medical schools operating in the Caribbean. This has been a source of everything from hope and opportunity to stress and uncertainty over the past half century or so for US and Canadian students. And while we obviously think that we're the best choice for anyone considering an international medical education, we wanted to take an opportunity to discuss a major ally of ours in the fight for quality: The ECFMG. 

Today, we're going to discuss what the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) actually is and what it isn't. We'll also get into how they're making the Caribbean a better place for students considering an education abroad. (You will be unsurprised to find that Trinity ticks all of their boxes as one of the best schools in the region).

Trinity School of Medicine has always prided itself on the strength and ambition of its students. So many future physicians come our way looking for something new; whether that's a unique learning environment built on support and a strong relationship with the faculty, a curriculum with an emphasis on clinical skills and service to patients, or just a true opportunity to live up to their potential. In this next edition of our alumni spotlight, meet Dr. Mary Anne Brett, McMaster undergrad alum, Trinity graduate, and anatomical pathologist in Calgary, AB.

Late last month, Trinity held its 4th annual charity 5k in conjunction with the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Medical Association (SVGMA). The route, going from the Arnos Vale Playing Field to the National Lotteries Tennis Court in Kingstown, was full of walkers and runners enjoying the lower temps on a rainy Sunday. The event involved everything from fierce competition to 3.1 miles of laughter for fun-runners and culminated with the presentation of a check for $9,520 from Trinity to the SVGMA. Read on for a gallery, a race report, and the future of another successful Trinity-student initiative. 

In Canada in 2017, only 2,617 of the 13,690 applicants were admitted to medical schools. An astonishing 81% of the applicants- many of whom would make phenomenal physicians- found themselves rejected at home. For many people considering medicine, becoming a doctor is a calling. So, a large percentage of those Canadian applicants without a seat looked abroad—most of them to the Caribbean, but some considering Ireland, Australia, and Eastern Europe as well. But, what happens when school is over? In 2018, of the 1,758 international medical graduates (IMGs)- most of whom were Canadians that tried to match back home- only 123 were selected. This is by no means to say that this isn't still a viable path for Canadians, and a fair number of Trinity graduates have matched in places like Ontario, Calgary, British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba.  

The point is that the decision to study abroad is a major one, with many factors to consider, from proximity to home, to academic approach, matching, cost, and long term career plans.

Earlier this month, a group of second year Trinity students and faculty physician-supervisors traveled to Georgetown, the most northerly town on St. Vincent. They worked with the Rotary Club of St. Vincent to take part in a Village Doctor Exercise, bringing medical care to under-served communities in the small island nation. Trinity students have worked with the Rotary in this capacity for years, as the event aligns the school's culture of global health outreach and clinical experience. Read on to learn about what student responsibilities entailed and what both they and faculty thought of the day.

Trinity School of Medicine has always prided itself on the strength and ambition of its students. So many future physicians come our way looking for something new; whether that's a unique learning environment built on support and a strong relationship with the faculty, a curriculum with an emphasis on clinical skills and service to patients, or just a true opportunity to live up to their potential. 

In this latest edition of our alumni spotlight, meet Dr. Gabriel Labbad. Read about attending Trinity, the opportunities and perspectives he gained from his time there, and his journey from computer science to OB/GYN, and the cutting edge of medical informatics.

When our graduates discuss their time at Trinity (and when preceptors and attendings discuss Trinity students), exceptional clinical preparedness always comes up. This isn't a coincidence.

Trinity School of Medicine graduates have had extensive clinical training that starts in the first term of study. When they leave St. Vincent after their basic sciences and head to Baltimore, Maryland for their clerkship years, Trinity students feel confident, comfortable, and ready to shine when it's time to round with their US counterparts in the hospital. The backbone of this Trinity advantage is the Introduction to the courses of the Introduction to Clinical and Community Medicine (referred to collectively as "the ICCM").

Today, we're providing an overview of what the ICCM is, how it interacts with the core sciences curriculum on campus, and a video interview with popular student mentor, ICCM course director, and office hours marathon man, Jamil Ibrahim, MD. 

Trinity School of Medicine is proud to announce first term student Vincent Shieh as this year's Chancellor's Scholarship recipient. The Chancellor's Scholarship is a merit based award open to select recipients of Trinity's Physician, Dean, and President awards. 
In winning, Vincent is awarded $50,000 disbursed evenly over the ten terms of study. In total, this one scholarship covers nearly 40% of Mr. Shieh's four-year tuition.

We spoke briefly with Mr. Shieh and are proud to share the perspective of this future physician studying at Trinity. We have also included, at the behest of the administration and with Vincent's permission, the paper he submitted to the award committee.  

Trinity School of Medicine prides itself on the strength and ambition of its students. So many future physicians come our way looking for something new; whether that's a unique learning environment built on support and a strong relationship with the faculty, a curriculum with an emphasis on clinical skills and service to patients, or just a true opportunity to live up to their potential.

In this latest edition of our alumni spotlight, meet Dr. Oladapo. Read about emigrating to the US, attending Trinity, the importance of social connections, and his ongoing balance of practice and medical education.

In 2008, Trinity School of Medicine opened its doors to its charter class, welcoming a small group of only a couple dozen students to the new medical school. 

Earlier this month, Trinity Medical Sciences University's school of medicine held the white coat ceremony, welcoming the class of 2022 and commemorating ten years of success and growth.  Read up on the ceremony itself, check out the photo gallery and event video (links below), and meet our new students.