15 doctors graduate from Greenheart Medical School

Jun 21, 2017 News

– urged to always embrace cutting edge medicine

It is imperative that doctors deliver bad news to patients in a compassionate way. And doctors

Valedictorian: Ejaz Hatim

should not seek to avoid a difficult conversation with their patients. This notion was emphasised Monday evening by Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, who urged a batch of young graduating doctors to seek to “Be honest both with yourself and with your patients.”
She told the young doctors, too, that while they will make mistakes, they must admit to these and learn from them. “You will encounter things that are wrong wherever you go; fix them or at least try to fix them,” said Minister Cummings.
The Minister’s remarks were forthcoming when she delivered the feature address at the second convocation of the Greenheart Medical University [GMU].
At the Marriott Hotel, a total of 15 doctors graduated after the Hippocractic Oath was administered to them. The proud graduates are Adriele Austin, Yaquelin Foo, Stephanie Gittens, Carrie Kalloo, Christie Kalloo, Koushilyia Persaud, Salima Persaud, Gigi Puthenpurackal, Reshana Seurattan, Sevanie Williams, Levi Callender, Craig DuHaney, Satyanand Harikishun, Sirpaul Rampersaud and Ejaz Hatim. Hatim was named the valedictorian.
In speaking to the graduates, Minister Cummings urged them to “Put into practice all that you have learnt over the years at medical school in your service to humanity.” She told them, too, “You are here today as a testimony of your hard work…and now you stand on the threshold of greatness where you will be conferred a title that will empower you as well as place great responsibility on your shoulders.”
Minister Cummings informed the batch of graduates that how they are perceived from now and onwards will be based on their actions and in some cases their inaction too. She noted that while their journey in medical school has come to an end, it is in fact the beginning of their professional life.
She warned that it is imperative that they remain humble. “I urge you to give your best and ensure that at all times that you uphold this noble profession as a medical doctor. Maintain high expectations for yourself and for your colleagues…Help people who are the most vulnerable in our society,” said Minister Cummings.
She, however, underscored that an important activity that must be inculcated throughout the practice of medicine must be continuous professional development. According to the Minister, since change is inevitable it will be necessary that the graduates are aware of the changes that take place in the medical profession.

The graduates in the company of [from left] Dr. Tom Yesudas, Dr. Karen Cummings and Dr. Frank Anthony.

“Read continuously on the development in your field and ensure you remain on the cutting edge of medical science development,” said Minister Cummings.
But according to the Public Health Minister the young doctors are entering the health care profession during the greatest transformation of public health care delivery ever known to this nation. This is in light of the fact, the Minister said, “This coalition Government continues to embark on numerous programmes aimed at further strengthening our public health system so as to deliver the best quality health care possible to the people of Guyana.”
According to Minister Cummings, measures are continuously being put in place to ensure that the best quality health care is accessible throughout the 10 Administrative Regions of Guyana as part of efforts to make universal primary health care a reality by 2020.
Also present at the convocation ceremony were Parliamentary Opposition Member of Parliament, Dr. Frank Anthony and PAHO/WHO Resident Representative, Dr. Williams Adu-Krow, both of whom appealed to the graduates to make impactful contributions to the health sector.
Other notable figures at the event were former Chairman of the Georgetown Public Hospital and veteran medical doctor, Dr. Carl ‘Max’ Hanoman; Consultant and Head of the Orthopaedics unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital, Dr. David Samaroo, Dr. Emmanuel Cummings, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Guyana and Head of Psychiatry, Dr. Bhiro Harry.
Calling Monday evening’s convocation an auspicious occasion, Executive Director, Dr. Tom Yesudas, reflected on the journey that the university has endured over the years. He revealed that GMU was established in 2005 as an independent institution to provide courses in medicine, nursing and pharmacy.
According to Dr. Yesudas, like any growing institution, “we have had our share of ups and downs; nevertheless we have managed to pull through successfully.”
GMU, which has been under Indian management since 2013, is a locally established offshore university that has in excess of 200 students hailing from India, the United Kingdom, Jamaica, Trinidad, Cuba, the United States and Guyana.

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