THIRTY-FIVE medical students were formally enrolled with the Spartan Health Sciences University School of Medicine at a glittering White Coat ceremony held last Saturday at the school’s auditorium.
A striking feature of the ceremony was the students donning their white coats and the reciting of the Hippocratic Oath which spelt out what is expected of them as physicians in training.
It reads in part: “I swear in the presence of my professors, my family and my peers that according to my ability and judgement I will abide by this Oath…”
In his welcome remarks, the Administrator of the school, Percival Mc Donald, exhorted the students to take their work seriously, adding that they should not be daunted by the task ahead.
He said their success will make the school and their family proud.
In his keynote address, Assistant Dean of Academics and Students Affairs, Dr.Ravindrasingh Rajput, told the students the Oath does not only apply to their profession but also to their life, adding that it is the beginning of a process of professional development that will never stop throughout their career.
“This is just the first step of your journey which will be exciting and frustrating, but will be the most fantastic journey you will ever take,” he said.
Dr. Rajput told the students that their patients have high hopes in them, so they must try their utmost best not to disappoint them.
“Hope is what is keeping us alive, and hope is what ignites the light and extinguishes the darkness. Hence, one of the responsibilities you must take is to fulfil those hopes and expectations which patients have in store for you,” he said.
He outlined a number of qualities which physicians should have in order to enable them to become successful. He identified some of them as a profound interest in well-being of others and humanity, welfare of the community and a spirit of corporation.
“A good physician is always a good learner… It doesn’t matter what happened in your past, always pay attention to the present,” Dr. Rajput said.
Sai Kumar Chepuri, a third trimester student of the school, in his brief remarks described the ceremony as one of the most memorable day in his life.
He called on the students to work hard to make the school and their parents proud.
“We can do it like others did…We just have to be focussed,” he said.
In an interview with this reporter, Dr. A.C Rao, a member of the Board of Directors of the school, expressed satisfaction with the support the government has offered the school.
“The government has been very kind to us and we are happy about it,” he said.
According to Dr. Rao, since taking over the school some years ago, it has made remarkable changes for the better.
“I plan to expand the school and make it even better,” he said.
Commenting on some of the successes of the school, he said that the school has recorded 90% rate in the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and a 100% pass rate in the Regional Examination for Nurse Registration (RENE) exam.
“The school is doing very well. We want to have the best nursing programme in the Caribbean” Dr. Rao said.