SHU School of Medicine & Health Sciences Hosts Its First Annual Code of Honor and White Coat Ceremony

VIEUX FORTE, ST. LUCIA--(Marketwired - Nov. 11, 2013) - St. Helen University School of Medicine & Health Sciences ("SHU") held its first annual Code of Honor and White Coat Ceremony on Friday, September 13th, at the St. Helen University campus in Beanfield, Vieux, to welcome its students of nursing and medicine, respectively.

The ceremony indoctrinated new students into the world of medicine and health sciences, and it is a tradition that SHU will embrace as we begin to prepare our students for the rigorous training that will enable them to be conversant, committed, and competent medical practitioners when they graduate.

The event welcomed not only SHU's new medical students, but also the inaugural nursing class of 2017, a total of 33 new students from eight countries worldwide.

Faculties, both full time and visiting, were on hand to congratulate the students, including Dr. Ameed Raoof, a University Curriculum Board member and Chair of the Department of Anatomy, who presented the keynote address. He congratulated the students on their admission, and the faculty for a job well done.

"For the students, when they put on the white coats and take their oaths, they begin to feel like they are a part of the profession that they belong. So it sets them on track," said Dr. Raoof. "This is important because at SHU, our selection process is very meticulous. We want to ensure that we produce what we call the five-star doctor: one who is competent, caring and professional, a leader and a lifelong learner. In addition, we want to produce nurses who will be the best in their field."

"When we convened to put the curriculum together we stressed that we wanted to maintain very high standards, which we have," he said to the students, adding that while their courses wouldn't be easy, they should strive to maintain high standards in their conduct, their coursework, and as professionals.

The highlights of the evening, however, were the students. Still animated from an extensive array of Welcome Week activities, they could not hide their enthusiasm at being official inductees.

Pre-medicine student, Adelaja Dalrymple, Guyana, recalled the admission process. "I applied to both St. Helen University and St. Georges, but I eventually chose SHU and I'm happy I did. Throughout the entire process, I had to remind myself that it was real. The faculty is professional and very knowledgeable, the island is wonderful and the school is very welcoming. I'm looking forward to putting on my white coat next year!"

Nursing student Andrina Stanislas, St. Lucia, said: "The first time I set foot here, I felt welcome. The faculty, are so nice, the lecturers are friendly and the staff makes you feel at home. After taking our codes of honor today I really feel like I'm part of the school."

The honorary student of the evening was Guyanese medical student Andrew Cameron. "This has been a great experience for me," he said. "The white coat ceremony was memorable. Throughout the year, the faculty and staff have motivated me and I'm pleased with my performance. I especially want to thank my parents for supporting me." Cameron was presented with the Dean's Award and a certificate of distinction for outstanding performance.

This is the university's second intake of students since it opened its doors in January 2013. Including St. Lucia, the new student body comprises American, Ghanaian, Guyanese, and Jamaican, Nigerian, Trinidadian, and Vincentian nationals.

St. Helen University (SHU) located in the southern town of Vieux Forte on the beautiful island of St. Lucia. SHU was established in February 2012, offering MD (Doctor of Medicine) degrees, in accordance with the preferred credentials in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. SHU also offers Pre-Med courses to prepare students to enter the MD program. SHU began its first classes on January 7th, 2013. SHU's future plans include programs in other Health disciplines like Pharmacy as well as disciplines in Business and Technology. In September 2013, the curriculum program offering has been expanded to include Nursing and Pre-Med along with the anchor MD degree program. SHU offers an innovative program in modern technologically equipped classrooms and facilities in a warm atmosphere with the best environment the Caribbean can offer, where each student will be surrounded by a diverse community of local and international peers and faculty. Our SHU student body will be truly international, with students being drawn from St. Lucia, the Caribbean, North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. SHU is the core business of Caribbean Diversified Investments, Inc., a Canadian based corporation list on the CNSX.