One of the best kept secrets in Caribbean Medical Schools | Trinity School of Medicine | Caribbean medical schools

We are excited to announce some substantial updates to the Trinity School of Medicine curriculum. These changes more directly align and integrate the courses to complement each other and improve student understanding and performance as they progress through their basic sciences.

First, some background. The Trinity School of Medicine curriculum committee is a group of department chairs, key faculty, the dean, and a representative of the Student Government Association (SGA). The SGA representative ensures that the perspective of students is taken into account, and ultimately has their final endorsement as changes are implemented. 

On June 10th, Trinity School of Medicine held its 2017 commencement ceremony at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. The class, along with 250 of their friends and family, were enthusiastically welcomed to the occasion by Trinity administrative and academic leadership and a variety of VIPs. The day included a key note address from president of graduate medical education for Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), Bruce Deighton, PhD and concluded as the new graduates took their Oath of Geneva. 

At Trinity School of Medicine, our guiding vision is clear, "To improve access to scientifically-based quality health care and enhance the health status of the residents of the communities served by our graduates." That perspective shapes every decision we make, from the largest pedagogical philosophy to the smallest detail of student life. It guides us from within, and creates new goals with each achievement.

Because that guidance comes from within, we don't look outward that often, at the other schools in our region. However, this letter brought the circumstances students at another institution find themselves. It makes it adamantly clear that while Caribbean medical schools exist because there is a need in the US and Canada going unfulfilled, not all of them are created equally. 

There has been a flurry of coverage on international medical education, lately. These pieces have painted an interesting picture of the sometimes under-noticed benefits to patients and hospitals as well as the pragmatic and necessary contributions to public health. We thought we'd weigh in on these and offer some of our own perspective.

Trinity School of Medicine is an institution with a culture of service and community engagement. And while many of the outreach opportunities are provided by the school itself, so many are grass roots student organizations. Kid Companions is a fantastic example of this sort of proactive community service, showing that Trinity students are already walking the walk of bedside manner and taking the initiative on their own to keep the humanity in medicine.  Read on to see, once again, why we're so proud of our students as they are today, and the doctors they will become.

On Saturday, 7^th January, 2017, Trinity School of Medicine's January incoming students donned their first white coats at a ceremony held at the school in Ratho Mill, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Dignitaries included Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves and other community officials.The first rows look on as their fellow students move through the ceremony

As 2016 wrapped up, Trinity chapters for the Society of Medicine and Surgery (SMS) and the American Medical Students Association (AMSA), teamed up to bring joy to children in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Presentations of funds and gifts were made at the school on Monday, 12^th December, by representatives of the organizations, in the presence of Dean Adkinson and Dr. Frances Jack.

Calling 2016 a big year for Trinity School of Medicine is an understatement.

At the end of last year, we called 2015 "A Year in Service, with Another to Come." We were proud of our students, but that title was issued almost as a challenge. To nobody's surprise, Trinity's students rose to that challenge and surpassed it.

The following stories represents Trinity students taking part in several hundred acute and chronic care encounters, over two dozen 77 gallon shipping barrels' worth of supplies, and very specific, active outreach for orphaned children with HIV, AIDS, and developmental issues.

The continued outreach activities of our students, done on their own limited freetime while in the middle of medical school, should tell you precisely what sort of person is both attracted to Trinity School of Medicine and what sort of mindset we find it takes to become a physician the world needs. 

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 fresh start. In this next edition of our alumni spotlight, meet Dr. Clinton Ezekiel, MD, USAF.  

 Trinity School of Medicine's student group "Kid Companions" returned to the St. Benedict Day Nursery and Children's Home in Georgetown, St. Vincent at the end of November, continuing their service, this time, to host a carnival for the home's residents. 

Since it's founding in February of 2016, Kid Companions has made regular visits to St. Benedict Day Nursery and Children’s Home (the last being in early October). Each visit is organized to provide entertainment and support of a different kind, and includes activities like playing games, coloring, and painting. While Trinity's involved students are very busy with their own medical education, they still endeavor to add a new element of support, stability, and fun for the home's residents.