SOM White Coat Ceremony: Students Describe What it Means to Put on Their White Coat

First-term student Paige Persaud received the gift of a lifetime at the recent St. George’s University School of Medicine White Coat Ceremony: Not only did Ms. Persaud receive her white coat on her birthday, but she was coated by her aunt and mentor, SGU clinical instructor Dr. Deborah-Ann Stephens-John.

“This is a very special day for me because it’s also my birthday and I got my Aunt Deborah to coat me. She is the reason I wanted to get into medicine, so this is a very special moment,” said Ms. Persaud, who hails from St. George’s, Grenada.

 

It was an emotional moment for both Ms. Persaud and Dr. Stephens-John.

“I’m super proud of Paige,” Dr. Stephens-John said. “Today brings up all sorts of feelings because 21 years ago on this day, I helped deliver Paige into this world and now I’m putting on her white coat. Growing up as a child Paige always said she wanted to be a doctor just like her Aunty Deborah. I’m here to give her all the encouragement and to see her dream come true.”

 

 

On October 20, Ms. Persaud, along with her fellow students in the Class of 2027, walked across the stage at Patrick F. Adams Hall during the milestone event that marks their entry into the field of medicine. At the end of the ceremony, students then recite the Oath of Professionalism—pledging to uphold the highest of ethical standards while treating their patients.

Hear from three other aspiring physicians on what it means to be able to wear a white coat.

 

 

“It’s a very surreal feeling being coated. I’m very proud of everything that I’ve done, which I obviously didn’t do alone. It’s with the help of my family and my community and God—that’s the reason I’m here today.”

– Yousef Karabala

     Stockton, CA

 

 

“It was an honor to be coated by my stepmom, who’s a general surgeon from the Dominican Republic. It feels like all of my dreams are falling into place. I honestly can’t believe that I’m here right now. I still feel like the little girl that would dream of this very moment.”

– Keegan Savage

Plymouth, MA

 

 

 

“It feels like I’ve come full circle. I didn’t always want to be a doctor. Initially I went into business and that was lucrative, but it didn’t give me the fulfillment that I was looking for and the challenge that I needed. However, when I got the opportunity to attend SGU it felt like a sign pushing me in the right direction. And I know it was the right decision because I’ve accomplished so much to get here and now, I’m at the starting point of my journey and I’m excited to keep going.”

– Brook Yohannes

Maryland

 

 

   – Ray-Donna Peters

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SGU alum shares journey to a fulfilling career in cancer outreach

Patrick Dineen, MD, MBA, is the current program manager of cancer prevention and screening at Stony Brook Cancer Center where he leads their mobile mammography program. The program provides breast cancer screenings to historically underserved communities.

One St. George’s University School of Medicine and School of Graduate Studies alum is playing a key role in making screening for breast cancer more accessible for women on Long Island through his career in cancer outreach.

Patrick Dineen, MD, MBA, is the current program manager of cancer prevention and screening at Stony Brook Cancer Center. In his role with Stony Brook, he helped establish their mobile mammography program. The program provides breast cancer screenings to historically underserved communities.

“We screen uninsured women, we also screen insured women. The working woman, who works hard, has a family, takes care of a partner, children, the last person she takes care of is herself,” said Dr. Dineen. “When we’re parking outside of her business, and she sees us, she knows she can be back at her desk in 15 minutes and get her annual screening done.”

The impact of outreach

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, nearly 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. In 2023 alone, there will be almost 300,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer in the United States. One of the most important prevention measures for invasive breast cancer is early detection.

 

Dr. Dineen spent his first few years at Stony Brook getting the mobile program off the ground and presenting its value to the community and businesses across Long Island. The program began servicing the community in 2018 and has since performed over 7,000 cancer screenings and detected over 40 cancers. A priority for Dr. Dineen in the inception of the program was ensuring the mobile unit’s staff was representative of the community, emphasizing the need for diversity.

“An interesting statistic is that in the brick-and-mortar facility at Stony Brook Breast Cancer, 12 percent of the women screened are minorities. Almost 80 percent of the women screened on the mobile unit are minorities,” Dr. Dineen added.

Dr. Dineen reviewing Stony Brook’s mobile mammography unit’s blueprint with his staff.

Dr. Dineen’s outreach efforts extend beyond the Long Island community. He publishes papers and speaks at conferences to inspire other healthcare professionals to think about how they can better serve communities in need. He is also the co-chair of mammography for the Mobile Healthcare Association, a national organization dedicated to increasing access to quality healthcare.

“Health equity means bringing healthcare, especially what we offer in breast cancer screening, to as many people as possible regardless of their gender, insurance status, immigration status, social determinants of health that stand in their way; making healthcare as accessible as possible to as many people as possible. And that is exactly what our program at Stony Brook was built for,” said Dr. Dineen.

Finding his path

Dr. Dineen’s interest in  cancer outreach is personal. His father, an orthopedic surgeon, passed away from cancer at 54 years old. In response to his father’s death, Dr. Dineen started a non-profit foundation that strives to bring happiness to cancer patients, the Dr. Patrick J. Dineen Memorial Foundation.

“My father was a doctor, and seeing how he led his life and the impact he made on other people’s lives made me want to be just like him,” Dr. Dineen said. “I know he would be proud of me as he has since passed from cancer, which led me down the path I’m on today.”

While Dr. Dineen ended up with a career in cancer outreach, the path he took to medical school was not a traditional one. He majored in accounting and planned to enter a career in business after graduating with his bachelor’s degree. Dr. Dineen also pursued his other passion, ice hockey, playing on a minor league team. It wasn’t long, though, until he realized his true calling was in medicine. And for Dr. Dineen, choosing SGU for his medical school journey was an easy decision.

“What made SGU stand out to me were the people that I knew in the healthcare system,” said Dr. Dineen. “Growing up in the world of medicine, SGU was a name that I repeatedly heard. I knew I would find the right home at SGU because of its reputation and others before me who had similar paths and were now happy, comfortable, and successful upon graduation.”

Once he was on his way to a career as a physician, Dr. Dineen realized he didn’t want to give up his passion for business. He decided to combine his interests and pursued his MBA with the goal of working on the business side of medicine.

A perfect day on the job

Dr. Dineen eventually crossed paths with Stony Brook Medicine. They approached him with the opportunity to lead their mobile mammography program.

“I stepped back and thought about my values and what I love. I love speaking with people, I’m a person of the community, I love having an impact,” Dr. Dineen said. “Despite it being a different path than the one I originally intended, a career in cancer outreach was the right way for me to move forward in healthcare.”

Dr. Dineen meeting with community members to discuss the importance of breast cancer screenings.

Evaluating where he is now, Dr. Dineen is grateful to have taken the road less traveled. It allows him to experience what he deems his perfect day in the role.

“My perfect day is getting feedback from those I supervise or our community partners about the impact we made. Although it’s a bittersweet moment when our team finds someone’s cancer, we also recognize that if we hadn’t discovered it, the patient might never have undergone screening for various reasons. Screenings allow us to find cancer before there is a physical manifestation. I can’t imagine a better day than hearing stories about the lives we’ve saved.”

—Sarah Stoss

 

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St. George’s University Announces New Partnership with Hunter College

St. George's University Announces New Partnership with Hunter College

St. George’s University has launched a new admissions partnership with Hunter College that will grant qualified Hunter students fast-track status and expedited entry into the St. George’s University School of Medicine.

“St. George’s University is delighted to offer this new opportunity for aspiring doctors from Hunter College to pursue degrees in medicine with us,” said Dr. Marios Loukas, dean of St. George’s University School of Medicine. “Hunter has been educating outstanding students for over 150 years. We look forward to welcoming some of Hunter’s best and brightest in the years to come.”

The partnership creates a “4+4” program that provides students who have successfully completed the four-year premedical curriculum at Hunter admission to the four-year MD program at SGU. Hunter students interested in participating in the program must maintain a strong undergraduate GPA, complete all prerequisite coursework, and score competitively on relevant entrance exams, including the MCAT.

Students who are admitted to and enrolled in the St. George’s University School of Medicine may spend their first two years of study in Grenada or their first year at Northumbria University in the United Kingdom and their second year in Grenada. They spend their final two years in clinical rotations at affiliated hospitals in the United States and the United Kingdom.

“Hunter College is excited to partner with St. George’s University School of Medicine to provide our premedical students with the opportunity to achieve their dreams of becoming physicians,” said Vince DiMiceli, a spokesperson for Hunter College.

 

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St. George’s University and Seneca Polytechnic Launch New Partnership

St. George's University and Seneca Polytechnic Announce New Partnership

St. George’s University has launched a new partnership with Seneca Polytechnic that will offer qualified Seneca students fast-track status and expedited entry into the five- or six-year MD programs at the St. George’s University School of Medicine.

“Seneca Polytechnic offers students a first-rate education,” said Dr. Marios Loukas, dean of St. George’s University School of Medicine. “We’re delighted to form this partnership with Seneca and welcome its graduates to SGU to launch their careers in medicine.”

The partnership creates two admissions pathways to the School of Medicine: a five-year and a six-year MD track. The former track allows students who complete Seneca’s Arts and Science – University Transfer diploma program and fulfill all required prerequisites to proceed into the five-year MD program at St. George’s University. The latter pathway allows students who complete Seneca’s Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas & Degrees certificate program and meet SGU admissions standards to enter the six-year MD program.

“We are excited to offer this direct pathway to MD programs,” said Marianne Marando, vice-president, Academic & Students, Seneca Polytechnic. “This new partnership will provide our students with an outstanding opportunity to pursue further studies in medicine, and the long history of excellent medical education at St. George’s University makes them an ideal partner.”

Students may apply for the special admissions pathways to SGU when applying to or while enrolled at Seneca. In addition to completing all required prerequisite coursework, interested students must maintain a strong undergraduate GPA and score competitively on relevant entrance exams.

Upon enrolling at St. George’s University, students in the five-year track must complete one year of preclinical coursework in Grenada. Students in the six-year track must complete two years of preclinical coursework in Grenada.

Students in both programs then have the option to undertake their first year of medical study in Grenada or at Northumbria University in the United Kingdom. Students spend their second year of medical study in Grenada and their final two years in clinical rotations at affiliated hospitals in the United States and the United Kingdom.

 

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St. George’s University Announces New Partnership with Lasell University

Lasell University

St. George’s University (SGU) has announced three new admissions partnerships with Lasell University offering qualified Lasell students fast-track status and expedited entry into the St. George’s University Schools of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine.

“St. George’s is thrilled to form this partnership with Lasell University and to offer their most exceptional students manifold pathways to a degree in medicine or veterinary medicine,” said Dr. Richard Liebowitz, vice chancellor of St. George’s University. “We look forward to empowering Lasell students to pursue their dreams of becoming a doctor or veterinarian.”

The partnership establishes two admissions pathways to the School of Medicine: a “4+4” program and a Master of Science in Medical Science, or MSMS, pathway. The new “4+4” program is also available to qualified students who wish to attend the School of Veterinary Medicine. Students may apply for the special admissions pathways when applying to or while enrolled at Lasell.

Under the “4+4” program, qualified students who have completed the four-year pre-medical or pre-veterinary curriculum at Lasell will be admitted to the four-year MD or DVM programs at SGU.

Under the MSMS pathway, students who earn their Master of Science in Medical Science at Lasell and complete all prerequisite coursework will enroll in their first year of the MD program at SGU.

Under the “4+4” and the MSMS pathway, students admitted to the School of Medicine may spend their first two years of study in Grenada or their first year at Northumbria University in the United Kingdom and their second year in Grenada. They spend their final two years in clinical rotations at affiliated hospitals in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Students entering the School of Veterinary Medicine through the “4+4” program complete three years of study in Grenada followed by a year of clinical studies at schools affiliated with SGU in the United States and internationally.

In addition to completing prerequisite coursework, Lasell students seeking to participate in these expedited admissions pathways must maintain a strong undergraduate GPA and score competitively on relevant entrance exams, including the MCAT for the School of Medicine. Pre-veterinary students should accumulate at least 500 hours of animal experience with a veterinarian or animal-care professional.

“Lasell University is committed to providing our students experiential and collaborative learning opportunities to inspire a life of social responsibility, intellectual curiosity, and professional growth,” said Eric Turner, president of Lasell University. “We are thrilled that this partnership with St. George’s upholds that mission by empowering our students to pursue the next stage in their academic and professional journey.”

 

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School of Medicine Grad Featured in AMSA’s The New Physician

St. George's University campus, sunset view

Earning an MD from a Caribbean medical school offers several benefits to future physicians, and St. George’s University alum Joshua Ramjist, MD ’11, is sharing his advice for those weighing the pros and cons of attending an institution outside of the United States.  

“My advice? Go for it, but do your research first,” according to an editorial written by the pediatric surgery fellow in the Spring issue of the American Medical Student Association’s The New Physician.  

Titled, “A Global Education Helped Me Become a Better Doctor It Can Do the Same for You,” Dr. Ramjist shared his positive experience as a student at St. George’s University and why he chose to attend a Caribbean medical school.  

 

Among the reasons he is glad he went to SGU, in his words: 

  • A truly international education: A diverse array of classmates led to learning about different cultures and their healthcare systems. 
  • Global clinical experience: Dr. Ramjist spent his first year of medical school in Newcastle, UK thanks to a partnership between SGU and Northumbria University (he spent his second year in Grenada); he traveled to Thailand to participate in a two-week long selective; and completed rotations and ultimately matching in Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY.  
  • The ability to practice anywhere in the world: SGU gave him the tools needed to pass licensing exams not just in the US but in other countries.  

 

“Many medical school hopefuls may not consider Caribbean medical schools. But that can be a mistake. Caribbean schools can offer a truly global education, and open up a path to practicing medicine in the United States or Canada.”

Dr. Ramjist added that prospective students need to do their research before committing to a school, looking at things like residency placement and licensing exam pass rates; how well a school supports students in their journey both academically and non-academically; scholarship/financial aid opportunities; and accreditation, among other aspects.  

All that said, today, Dr. Ramjist, MD, MSc, MBA, FRCS(C) practices in the division of general and thoracic surgery at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario. In 2019, he was named as the Maimonides Medical Center Department of Surgery’s Chief Resident of the Decade.  

“My international education has allowed me to better care for patients of different backgrounds and identities. I can relate to their experiences when I’m at their bedside. And I see them not just for the disease they have but as a whole person, culture and all,” he said. “For these reasons, I’d encourage any student considering a Caribbean medical school to take the leap.” 

 

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St. George’s University Announces New Partnership with Green River College

Green River College

Photo courtesy of Green River College.

St. George’s University has launched a new partnership with Green River College that will give qualified Green River College fast-track status for admission to the four- and five-year medical degree programs at the St. George’s University School of Medicine.

“This partnership between St. George’s and Green River College offers two strong paths to a career in medicine,” said Dr. Marios Loukas, dean of St. George’s University School of Medicine. “We’re thrilled to help make medical education accessible to Green River’s best and brightest students.”

The partnership establishes a “2+5” program through which qualified Green River College international students who complete two years of undergraduate coursework and earn an Associate in Science for Transfer, or AS-T, degree in biology can secure priority entry into St. George’s five-year MD program.

This program begins with one year of preclinical coursework in Grenada, followed by a year of Basic Sciences in either Grenada or at Northumbria University in the United Kingdom. Grenada is the site for a second year of Basic Sciences study. The final two years consist of clinical rotations at hospitals affiliated with St. George’s in the United States and the United Kingdom.

The partnership also creates a “2+2+4” program, in which students who earn an AS-T in Biology at Green River and earn a bachelor’s degree in a premedical program at an accredited four-year college or university in the United States, can qualify for priority admission into St. George’s four-year MD program.

Students on the four-year MD track may complete their first two years of study in Grenada or spend their first year at Northumbria and their second in Grenada. Students spend the last two years of the program in clinical rotations at hospitals affiliated with St. George’s in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Students who wish to pursue either of the combined degree programs must express interest upon applying to Green River College. Admission to St. George’s School of Medicine requires candidates to maintain a strong GPA and score competitively on the MCAT. Those who enroll in the MD program receive a $10,000 scholarship distributed over the length of their studies upon matriculating and are eligible for additional scholarships and grants from St. George’s.

“Our partnership with St. George’s will give Green River students a tremendous opportunity to make their dreams of a career in medicine a reality,” said Dr. Wendy Lee Stewart, vice president of international programs and extended learning. “We are proud to team up with St. George’s to make medical school more accessible.”

 

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SGU UK Dean Receives Distinguished Service Award: Recognized for 40+ Years of Service

Rodney Croft, dean, clinical studies, UK (retired)

Rodney Croft, SOM dean of clinical studies, UK, received the Distinguished Service Award after 43 years with the University. He retired on March 1.

St. George’s University School of Medicine clinical dean Rodney Croft was honored with this year’s Distinguished Service Award after 43 years with the university, 20 of which he served as dean of clinical studies in the UK.

The award is given to members of faculty and those in the community in recognition of their outstanding service to the University. Mr. Croft retired on March 1.

“I want to express my sincerest appreciation to Mr. Croft for the remarkable service to St. George’s University School of Medicine,” said Dr. Marios Loukas, dean of the School of Medicine. “Mr. Croft made many significant contributions to furthering our MD program in the UK. I am grateful for his leadership there, most notably as dean of clinical studies.”

Early years 

Mr. Croft’s journey started with a bachelor’s degree from Cambridge University back in 1965. He earned his qualification (MB BCHIR) in 1968 and his Master of Arts the following year (MA Cantab). Mr. Croft then became a fellow of The Royal College of Surgeons of England in 1972, received his Master of Surgery (MChir Cantab) in 1982, and went on to proudly become a fellow of The American College of Surgeons in 1984.

During his tenure as a consultant general and vascular surgeon at North Middlesex University Hospital, Mr. Croft’s dedication and expertise shone as he became the foremost authority in cardiovascular implants within the UK. His influential role included crafting standards for prestigious international bodies such as CEN, the European Committee for Standardization, and the International Organization for Standardization. His commitment to excellence was acknowledged with a commendable long service award from the British Standard Institute.

Mr. Croft possesses extensive familiarity with London Medical School education, having previously been the clinical sub-dean at The Royal Free and University College Hospital Medical School in London. Furthermore, he played an active role on The Royal Free Medical School Council for a commendable nine-year period.

A long tenure at SGU  

With a background as a consultant general and vascular surgeon in London, Mr. Croft has dedicated an impressive 43 years to undergraduate medical education at St. George’s University School of Medicine. Notably, he served as the dean of clinical studies of the UK program for an uninterrupted span of 20 years. His role included overseeing clinical faculty at SGU’s 17 UK-affiliated hospitals and clinics in training a considerable number of students from the Commonwealth to become skilled medical professionals.

His past SGU roles have included clerkship director, director of medical education, and UK chair of the SOM Department of Surgery.

“From the entire SGU community, my heartfelt congratulations to Rodney for this esteemed accolade and on his retirement,” Dr. Loukas said.

 

-Laurie Chartorynsky

 

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3 Pieces of Advice from Dean of Students Dr. Lucy Clunes

 

For students pursuing challenging degrees, having a sense of community and creating a home away from home is fundamental to wellness and success. Fortunately, there are many ways for students to acclimate and find support on campus at St George’s University.

Dean of Students Dr. Lucy Clunes describes campus support as being like family for the duration of students’ time at SGU. She describes it as a community, emphasizing the various organizations and societies students can join.

“We want to give students the best possible learning opportunities available so they can reach their full potential,” said Dr. Clunes.

SGU News sat down with Dr. Clunes to learn more about how students can make the most of their education. Here are three pieces of advice she shared.

 

lucy clunes

1. Seek mentorship opportunities

Dr. Clunes highlights the importance of seeking mentorship from different individuals, as areas of expertise vary between departments.

“Students are encouraged to seek guidance from all faculty members,” said Dr. Clunes. “Faculty are always available to help guide students, and anyone can be approached for mentorship opportunities.”

 

2. Take advantage of the dedicated support services on campus

Resources for students at SGU include academic and non-academic support, such as assisting with accommodations and accessibility requirements, helping international students with transit visas, providing health and psychological services, and familial support. Students can get involved on campus through a variety of organizations and societies, such as the student government association, recreational activities, cultural, spiritual and academic organizations, intermural sports, and events on and off campus.

 

3. Prioritize your physical and mental health

Dr. Clunes emphasizes the importance of managing both mental and physical health, especially given the stress and pressure of being a student.

“Balance is critical since efficiency productivity as a student requires you to be physically and mentally healthy,” said Dr. Clunes.

To encourage students to take care of their health at SGU, the wellness center on campus is an excellent resource offering fitness classes including yoga, cardio, and high intensity interval training. Rounding out SGU’s focus on health, are treatments from weekly massages to aromatherapy, as well as wellness days offered throughout the semester.

With a full-service wellness center, mentorship opportunities, and more than 80 student organizations and societies to choose from, incoming students can rest assured they will receive as much guidance and support as they need while acclimating to a new environment. The available resources support all SGU students as they create a sense of community and work toward their future careers.

—Sarah Stoss and Madeleine Otto

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St. George’s University Announces New Partnership with Simmons University

St. George’s University has launched a new admissions partnership with Simmons University that will grant qualified Simmons students expedited entry into the St. George’s University Schools of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine.

“St. George’s is thrilled to partner with Simmons to expand access to medical and veterinary education,” said Dr. Marios Loukas, dean of St. George’s University School of Medicine. “Simmons University has been educating top-notch graduates for nearly 125 years. We’re delighted to welcome a new generation of Simmons alumni to St. George’s in the years to come.”

The partnership creates “4+4” programs that provide qualified Simmons students who have completed four years of pre-medical or pre-veterinary coursework admission to a four-year program at the St. George’s School of Medicine or School of Veterinary Medicine.

Admission to St. George’s School of Medicine or School of Veterinary Medicine requires candidates to maintain a strong undergraduate GPA and score competitively on relevant entrance exams. Applicants for the School of Veterinary Medicine’s 4+4 program are also encouraged to have a minimum of 500 hours of animal experience alongside a veterinarian or animal care professional.

Students enrolled in the School of Medicine may complete their first two years of study in Grenada or spend their first year at Northumbria University in the United Kingdom and their second year in Grenada. Medical students complete their final two years in clinical rotations at affiliated hospitals in the United States and the United Kingdom.

School of Medicine students who participate in the 4+4 program receive a $10,000 scholarship from St. George’s distributed over their four years of study and are eligible for additional scholarships and grants.

Veterinary students enrolled in the 4+4 program complete three years of study in Grenada and their final clinical year at affiliated schools in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, and the Netherlands.

“Our new partnership with St. George’s advances the mission of Simmons University by providing our students the unique opportunity to pursue advanced studies in medicine or veterinary science with a global lens,” said Simmons University Provost Russell Pinizzotto. “We are proud to team up with St. George’s to educate the next generation of doctors and veterinarians.”

 

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