A New Era Begins for Trinity School of Medicine

Welcome to the Class of 2012

Trinity School of Medicine officially opened its doors to the inaugural class of first year medical students on September 8, 2008. The composition of the class includes 25% from our neighbor to the North – Canada, and we expect that cohort to continue to be strongly represented in future class starts. “I believe our low faculty to student ratio (1 to 4) and the integration of the clinical sciences (the association with Milton Cato Memorial Hospital beginning with our very first semester of basic sciences) have contributed greatly to such a strong and highly touted group of students. The formal orientation to clinical medicine (during the first two weeks of the semester) has been completed and I believe we surprised some of our students as to how effective and important this initial integration will be at the outset and throughout the basic sciences.”

Registration and Orientation

Orientation and registration were officially conducted from September 3 – 5 and students acclimated quickly to our “campus under construction” – formerly the Harmony Hall apartment complex which has now been transformed into a full campus that includes a new classroom with the latest technology (scheduled to open within the next two weeks) and a comprehensive anatomy lab which is a bit delayed in construction but will open in November. The new campus dining faculty (picture at left) was opened for business during the orientation and students are taking advantage of the convenience and the array of offerings for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The Learning Resource Center – temporarily serving as the start up lecture hall (pictured right) – will be transformed into its original use as the learning resource center when the new lecture hall is completed in a couple of weeks. Classroom furniture will be moved to the new lecture hall and the new LRC furnishings will be installed. There will be sections restricted to quiet study and other areas that are designed for group activity. The new LRC will house volumes of reference materials and books and will host electronic service to the latest and most important medical journals and related materials. Problem-based learning has already been incorporated into the early sessions and those designated facilities are fully operational at this time.

Blessing of the Campus – Trinity School of Medicine

On the morning of September 8, 2008, students, faculty and administration participated in a “blessing of the campus and the school.” Father James Candon The catholic priest of the Cathedral of the Assumption in Kingstown presided over the raising of the Vincentian and the American flags – and the actual blessing of the Trinity School of Medicine. It was a thoughtful and solemn occasion and one which will serve as a constant reminder to faculty and students alike of the importance of our lofty vision: to be the premier international school of medicine training highly qualified and successful practitioners to meet the escalating need for physicians in North America and the Caribbean. . .and mission: to train and prepare our students to become highly qualified clinicians, committed to the principle of providing outstanding care for the citizens of North American and the Caribbean.

The White Coat Ceremony

On September 8, in the afternoon, the college sponsored its first “White Coat Ceremony” held at Peace Memorial Hall in Kingstown. It proved to be an exciting and moving experience for all in attendance as Trinity followed the lead of most medical schools in the United States in officially recognizing the transition of its students into the profession of medicine. (New students pictured right) There were welcomes to the students and invited guests by the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. the Honorable Ralph Everad Gonsavles (Pictured below) and Steven Wilson, the President of Trinity School of Medicine. His Excellency, Dr. Frederick N. Ballantyne, the Governor General of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and a graduate of Syracuse University School of Medicine and a board certified cardiologist, spoke about his expectations for the student body and gave them some important advice on how to approach their careers in medicine.

Dr. Edward Johnson, the Campus Dean, introduced the Honorable Douglas W. Slater, the Minister of Health and the Environment and the Honorable Girlyn Miguel, Minister of Education (center of picture) – both of whom are part of the governing body that is responsible for bringing Trinity School of Medicine to St. Vincent and the Grenadines and for navigating the medical school through the early accreditation process. The Students were individually introduced by the Provost as they donned their White Coats and Dr. Edward Johnson led the recitation of the Hippocratic Oath by the student physicians and all physicians in the audience.

Reception at Government House

His Excellency Sir Dr. Frederick Ballantyne, the Governor General, (pictured right with a student and her mom) hosted a lovely reception at Government House – attended by more than 250 invitees including the inaugural class along with parents and loved ones who accompanied their children/spouse to the island and many of the distinguished members of government, business and the local community, including the press corps. The students were warmly welcomed and took advantage of this unique opportunity to meet many of the most influential citizens of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The festivities came to an end with a toast to the success of members of the inaugural class at Trinity.