FIRST DOCTORS OF HISTORIC AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF BARBADOS

IT WAS a momentous occasion as the first graduands of the historic American University of Barbados (AUB), School of Medicine walked across the stage to receive their certificates, signifying that they were now breaking new ground as doctors. The sixty-seven graduates of over seven territories formally received their certificates at the Inaugural Graduation Ceremony of the American University of Barbados, School of Medicine on Friday evening at the Wildey Campus in St. Michael. The school can proudly boast of being the first offshore school of medicine in Barbados . Present at the ceremony was Guest of Honor, Acting Prime Minister of Barbados Santia Bradshaw, Minister of Technological and Vocational Training and Leader of Government Business. Bradshaw congratulated the graduates on the completion of their journey at the university and lauded the institution for its clinical affiliations. The clinical affiliation of the AUB with top hospitals in the United States and other countries allows your students to take their clinical in several countries and so these graduates can practice as medical professionals globally after writing the requisite examinations in the country of which they choose.” Highlighting the journey of the institution from the first application at the Barbados Accreditation Council (BAC) in 2011 to the evening of the first graduating class, Minister Bradshaw said that the quality of work being done at the school was not unnoticed. Also mentioned was that the AUB was working closely with the BAC to continuously improve operations and since enrolling the first student in September 2011 had grown consistently and now carries a student roll from over 24 countries. Bradshaw thanked all the members of faculty who played a role in the success of the graduates and also encouraged parents, mentors and friends to continue to play an important role as well, whether financially and emotionally because as one journey was at an end, another was about to begin for the new doctors.

Practice patience the Minister advised the graduates to thank those who helped them along and also encouraged patience and kindness. “Graduates would have learned how to treat several illnesses and perform medical procedures but I caution you to also practice your bedside manner. How you treat your patients is as important as the illnesses you are treating. In treating your patients, you have to have patience. Patients will additionally come to you for your knowledge, your IQ, but they come back to you because of how you treated them.”

The honour of Valedictorian was bestowed on Dr. Amy Emtage by Director of the American University of Barbados, School of Medicine, Mohsin Ali Khan.

As the Guest of Honor, Minister of Education, Technical and Vocational Training and Leader of Government Business, Santia Bradshaw addressed the graduands.

Glowing with a smile, graduate Dr. Amanda Brathwaite received her certificate from Dr. Kazmi, Campus Dean at the American University of Barbados, School of Medicine. Student favorite Dr. Jerome Brathwaite received a round of applause when he was presented with his certificate.

By André Springer