SGU Alum Named Attending Physician of the Year at UCSD

Kunal Agrawal, MD ’11, recently received the honor of “Attending Physician of the Year for 2022” from the University of California at San Diego. The California native is currently associate professor of neurosciences at UC San Diego Health System and program director of the Vascular Neurology Fellowship.

To be considered for Attending Physician of the Year, Dr. Agrawal had to be nominated by a colleague and evaluated by a Medical Executive Committee who then selects one attending physician out of the pool of nominations from within the UCSD Health System.

When asked about the award, Dr. Agrawal stated, “I am honored and mostly I am humbled. This award caught me off guard, but confirms I have chosen a great career path that continues to motivate me.”

Dr. Agrawal started out in bioengineering but found himself drawn to neuroscience classes while pursuing his undergraduate degree at UC San Diego. He then shifted to a neuroscience major, which led him to his career in medicine.

“Medicine was one of the few fields that would allow me to take ownership of my career path because of the ways you can impact lives as a physician. I love the teaching, research, and seeing the difference I can make,” said Dr. Agrawal.

“SGU provided me the opportunity to become a physician and work harder and smarter,” he continued. “My experiences at SGU allowed me to have a well-rounded experience of observing how different hospital systems in the US function. I feel that I have become a better physician by being able to refer to my time at SGU to guide my career and approach to patient care.”

 

“I feel that I have become a better physician by being able to refer to my time at SGU to guide my career and approach to patient care.”

 

Following graduation, Dr. Agrawal found success in residency and fellowship, which he sees as being some of the most formative experiences that have led him to this honor. He interned at St. Barnabas Medical Center and completed a neurology residency at George Washington University before returning to UC San Diego for vascular neurology fellowship.

“I was fortunate to have trained in programs that emphasize the importance of relying on clinical intuition and developing a systematic and efficient approach to patient care,” said Dr. Agrawal.

Just as he has at UCSD, Dr. Agrawal made a mark on SGU, and the faculty remember him fondly.

“I remember Kunal as a very sincere and dedicated student at SGU,” said Dr. CV Rao, dean of University Alumni Affairs. “This sincerity and dedication have clearly remained consistent throughout his career and served him well. We are all very proud to call him one of our own.”

As for Dr. Agrawal’s favorite memory from SGU, he reflects on the people he encountered. “I could not have asked for a better graduating class from SGU,” he said. “I continue to maintain lifelong friendships with my graduating class, and of course, I met my fantastic wife at SGU—perhaps the best memory of all.”

 

Sarah Stoss

 

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A Doctor’s View Podcast: Alum shares his medical school experience

There are many questions surrounding international medical schools and what attending one means for a grad’s career outlook. Joshua Ramjist, MD ’11, knows something about that. He is a St. George’s University alum who developed his medical career in four different countries—the UK as part of the SGU/Northumbria University Program, in Grenada to complete his medical education, then on to the US for residency, and two research years in his native Canada.

To share his journey and provide answers to common questions regarding international medical school, Dr. Ramjist joined Dr. Paul Polyvios on the podcast A Doctor’s View in the episode titled “Studying medicine at an international university and working in the USA” to provide insight on his experience at St. George’s University and detail his career that followed.

As for Dr. Ramjist’s advice to those who hope to follow a path similar to his, he said: “It’s not for everyone. But for individuals who are open minded and really are excited to have this experience and are looking for a little bit of variability in their life, it’s one of the greatest experiences I’ve had.”

 

 

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SGU grad secures ultrasound units to aid Grenada’s fight against breast cancer

In the fight against breast cancer, access to resources is key; specifically, resources that contribute to early detection. Dr. Randy Becker, MD ’00, and current medical director at Crossroads Imaging Center of Advanced Radiology, in Ellicott City, MD, and clinical assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, knows firsthand how important early detection is.

This is particularly the case on the island of Grenada, where during his visits through St. George’s University’s Physician Humanitarian Network (PHuN), he noticed a higher-than-normal percentage of patients with more advanced disease, oftentimes an indirect result of limited breast screening programs and access. To help alleviate this shortage, Dr. Becker worked with his imaging partner Hologic, to secure two portable breast ultrasound units. The donated imaging units will be used at Grenada General Hospital and Princess Alice Hospital.

“Improving access to women’s healthcare and screening services in Grenada is an important health initiative for the country. As a radiologist, I know that early detection often means better long-term outcomes for the country’s mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and aunts. That is why making this donation means so much to me,” said Dr. Becker.

These handheld units are particularly useful for patients with dense breast tissue, which makes it more difficult to detect suspicious abnormalities and is more commonly seen in Black women. The units, which come complete with the latest software, will aid breast surgeons and interventional radiologists in real-time management of complex breast lesions.

“We continue to work collaboratively with our alumni to strengthen the delivery of healthcare in Grenada,” said Brendon LaGrenade, vice provost of institutional advancement at SGU. “Through Dr. Becker’s unceasing efforts, he has secured this donation as we continue to work on acquiring a mammography machine. We do believe these machines can be a vital interim resource in our fight against breast cancer.”

Hologic’s multiyear partnership with the nonprofit organization, Black Women’s Health Imperative, prompted Dr. Becker to submit a grant proposal for a comprehensive women’s imaging service package last year.

“One of the goals of the initiative was to increase screening and access to African American women in the United States, often in underserved areas,” Dr. Becker said. “I also learned that one of the more lethal forms of breast cancer, Triple Negative (TNBC), is most prevalent in West Africa, which is the founder population of not just most African Americans, but also of almost all Grenadians. However, with equal and appropriate screening programs we can reduce race- or ethnicity-associated breast cancer disparities such as what we see with TNBC.”

He views this donation as only the first step in delivering better women’s imaging care and services for the patients in Grenada. Said Dr. Becker: “Our goal of securing a mammography unit with biopsy capabilities to complete a comprehensive radiology service for the entire Grenadian community is what we hope will be the next step.”

Sarah Stoss

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Cardiologist from Grenada Pioneers Robotic Procedure in Outpatient Setting

Grenadian national Adam Bierzynski, MD ’11, is making waves in the field of interventional cardiology through the use of robotics in outpatient settings.

As an interventional cardiologist on staff at several hospitals in the Fort Lauderdale, FL area, Dr. Bierzynski performs complex heart procedures on patients in need. In 2020, he was among the team who performed the first-ever outpatient robotic percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) at an ambulatory surgery center.

Dr. Bierzynski spoke to SGU News about why the procedure was groundbreaking, the potential life-saving capabilities of robotics within the field of cardiology, his experience at St. George’s University, and how his medical training set him up for success.

SGU: Did you always want to become a doctor?

Dr. Bierzynski: I wanted to be a doctor for most of my life. My grandfather was the chief medical officer of Grenada for a time, and I was always interested in the sciences and being able to apply knowledge to helping and healing.

SGU: What appealed to you about the field of interventional cardiology?  

Dr. Bierzynski: Cardiology piqued my interest most throughout my clinical rotations. Once within cardiology training, the allure of interventional cardiology was too much to ignore. The ability to place a stent in someone’s artery who is having a heart attack and have them walk out as early as the next day with almost no damage done is truly one of the most rewarding feelings in medicine. The field is also always evolving with new techniques and procedures, so it is difficult for it to ever become mundane.

SGU: Where did you do your training?

Dr. Bierzynski: After being raised and completing high school in Grenada, I attended the University of Ottawa for my undergraduate studies before returning to Grenada to attend SGU. I graduated in 2011 and was fortunate enough to start my internship and residency in internal medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan. I was accepted into the general cardiology fellowship program at Lenox Hill Hospital Heart and Vascular, then did a further subspecialty in interventional cardiology at the same institution, completing my long haul of training in June 2018.

 

“Being able to do something that hasn’t been done before was definitely the highlight of my career. My training really helped me to be confident in my ability to execute the procedure safely and address any complications that may arise.”

 

SGU: In 2020, you performed the first-ever outpatient robotic percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) at an ambulatory surgery center. Could you explain what this is and why a patient would need this?

Dr. Bierzynski: The coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle. A “heart attack” is when those arteries are blocked and blood flow to the heart muscle stops and that muscle dies. A PCI is the placement of a stent into the coronary artery that opens the blockage and allows for blood to flow through the artery once again. Typically, this is done in a hospital and the performing doctor is standing at the operating table wearing heavy lead shielding to protect from radiation that is used to perform the imaging. A robotic PCI utilizes a mechanical arm that advances the wires, balloons, and stents that we use during the procedure in order to open the blocked arteries. I am able to sit in the adjacent control room and control the robot to perform the procedure instead of having to stand at the procedure table next to the radiation generator.  This has only ever been done inside a hospital until recently.

SGU: What was that experience like for you?

Dr. Bierzynski: Being able to do something that hasn’t been done before was definitely the highlight of my career. My training really helped me to be confident in my ability to execute the procedure safely and address any complications that may arise. Fortunately, that first procedure couldn’t have gone better, and the patient was discharged home hours later. I have continued to perform this procedure robotically whenever feasible.

It is likely that robotic PCI will become more and more commonplace and performing it in the outpatient setting will also become routine, and it will always be awesome for me to look back and think, “but I did it first!”

Adam Bierzynski, MD ’11, is making waves in the field of interventional cardiology through the use of robotics in outpatient settings.

SGU: Why is this an important advancement in cardiac medicine, especially during the COVID pandemic?

Dr. Bierzynski: Cardiology is a fast, ever-changing field. The things we routinely do now were considered impossible or impractical 10-15 years ago.

This was a timely innovation during the pandemic. By performing it as an outpatient at a surgical center, patients could be assured that there were no COVID patients at the facility so that they were at minimal risk. This was important as people were postponing life-saving care, especially early on in the pandemic, due to their desire to avoid exposure to a potentially life-threatening disease. Also, it allowed the performing doctor to minimize his exposure to the patient as well.

SGU: Looking forward, what is the potential for this technology within cardiology?

Dr. Bierzynski: There are many areas within the US that do not have interventional cardiologists nearby. When someone is having a heart attack they are losing heart muscle with every second. Being able to open their artery as quickly as possible makes all the difference to that individual’s life and also their quality of life. In those places where there is no access to providers capable of these interventions, it is possible that there can be staff trained in setting up and initiating the robot, while an interventional cardiologist performs the required intervention from a remote workstation.

On a global level, there are many countries that do not have an interventional cardiologist present to perform the required procedure in those suffering from an acute heart attack. Potentially, one operator could provide coverage to multiple hospitals, or different countries remotely without having to leave his own room.

In addition, interventional cardiologists have high rates of disability from orthopedic injuries due to long careers wearing heavy lead shielding while performing complex procedures.  Using the robot allows the operator to perform the same procedure while sitting down, relieving all the strain on the back and neck that interventional cardiologists have to suffer daily. It also reduces the radiation that we expose ourselves to by an estimated 50 percent and allows for more accurate measurement and stent placement which is better for the patient.

SGU: Describe your SGU experience, especially as someone from Grenada?

Dr. Bierzynski: Attending SGU was a fantastic experience. The campus is state-of-the-art, and uniquely breathtaking in its location. Coupled with a diverse student body and accessible faculty, I can truly say that I thoroughly enjoyed my time at SGU and would recommend it to anyone considering applying.

As a Grenadian, it was surprising how even though you felt at home, it was simultaneously like being in a different country. I had attended university overseas so I was comfortable with the change, but I was aware of the difference you feel when on campus. So even for those who feel they want to have a university experience elsewhere, I can assure you that you are exposed enough to different experiences that you do not feel stifled.

SGU: What insights do you have for other Caribbean students who may be considering medical school?  

Dr. Bierzynski: I sat in the lecture halls at SGU like everyone else, and heard from professors about when we will be doing residency or fellowship, and eventually practice as physicians, and I think everyone at some point has the same thought: “Can and will this really happen for me?” Rest assured, SGU graduates—including those from the Caribbean—can get the residency they want, the specialty they want, and become excellent physicians in their chosen field—if you work hard enough.

 

 

— Ray-Donna Peters and Laurie Chartorynsky

 

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SGU Physician Humanitarian Network Returns to Grenada

 

Eager to once again be able to give back to the school and island that gave him his start in medicine, cardiologist Anthony Tramontano, MD ’99, recently returned to the island to help restart the St. George’s University Physician Humanitarian Network (SGU PHuN) Adult Cardiology Program—offering essential cardiovascular services to the people of Grenada free of charge.

“Knowing the great need for cardiology services on the island, I was anxious to return to my regular visits to the clinic,” said Dr. Tramontano, chair of medicine and medical director of cardiology at Adirondack Health in Saranac Lake, NY. “My start in medicine was here at SGU and Grenada will always hold a special place in my heart. It is an honor to serve the patients here and offer what care I can, whether it be a one-time appointment in the Cardiology Clinic or continued care each time I return.”

As the first visiting cardiologist to return since the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Tramontano’s days were filled with attending to patients at both the clinic in Grand Anse and the Grenada General Hospital, in addition to providing medical education to the physician population.

 

“My start in medicine was here at SGU and Grenada will always hold a special place in my heart. It is an honor to serve the patients here and offer what care I can, whether it be a one-time appointment in the Cardiology Clinic or continued care each time I return.”

 

“Dr. Tramontano’s visit was not only timely for patients, but his lectures and ward rounds at the hospital were extremely well-received by the physicians and staff,” praised Dr. Dolland Noel, associate dean of clinical studies at SGU, director of medical education and head of internal medicine at the General Hospital. “He saw the many cases we have here in Grenada that need specialist attention, and he was ready and prepared to provide cost-free cardiology care to the island’s citizens.”

Now in its 15th year, the adult cardiology program, originally coordinated by Johansen Sylvester, MD ’00, continues to provide much-needed heart care services to the Grenadian people. Visiting alumni—many of whom have traveled to the island multiple times to offer their services through the program—administer patient consultations, cardiac testing, pacemaker implantations, angioplasties, echocardiograms, and referrals for those needing advanced care. SGU PHuN has provided millions of dollars in service to the Grenadian community, resulting in countless lives saved.

Other School of Medicine alumni who have also pledged their time and expertise to the SGU PHuN program include OB/GYN Philip Lahrmann, MD ’81, nephrologist Dr. Lisa Radix, MD ’97, Grenadian-born endocrinologist Dwight Matthias, MD ’92, and associate alumni and ophthalmologist Dr. Fred Lambrou.

“We at SGU are always happy to have our graduates return to assist our island home,” stated Brendon La Grenade, vice provost for institutional advancement. “The importance of our alumni was always evident, and the pandemic has only made it more apparent. I am grateful to Dr. Tramontano, and all of our alums, who give back to Grenada in so many ways.”

Dr. Anthony Tramontano, MD ’99, returns to Grenada to help restart the SGU Physician Humanitarian Network adult cardiology program, where he offered essential cardiovascular services to the people of Grenada, free of charge.

 

– Ray-Donna Peters

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SGU Featured in Forbes.com Article on High-Demand Medical Specialties

The United States is facing demand for more doctors across dozens of specialties. As a new article in Forbes.com outlines — “Five Medical Specialties That Need More Doctors” — internationally trained physicians will play an outsized role in meeting that growing need.

As author and admissions counselor Kristen Moon of Moon Prep writes, “Interestingly, graduates of international medical schools, including St. George’s, make up a disproportionate share of the doctors practicing in some of the specialties where demand will be greatest in the years to come. About one-fourth of doctors practicing in the United States today graduated from an international medical school..

As Dr. G. Richard Olds, the president of St. George’s University on the Caribbean island of Grenada, told Moon Prep, “Future doctors want to know where they can do the most good … We love helping students find their passion — and meet critical medical needs.”

Some specialties that face particularly concerning shortages are critical care, geriatrics, endocrinology, infectious disease, and psychiatry. This spring, SGU graduates matched into residencies in these specialties across the country.

For a full list of SGU’s 2022 residency matches, visit our website here.

Chance encounter leads alum to plastic surgery fellowship

Before Jeremy Bosworth, MD ’13, enrolled at St. George’s University, he was considering a career in law or the FBI. But it was a chance encounter with an old friend who had recently graduated from SGU’s School of Medicine that changed his course forever.

With the encouragement of his friend, Dr. Bosworth applied and was accepted to SGU—and he never looked back. It was while he was on campus in Grenada that he discovered his true passion in life—medicine, particularly surgery, and eventually a love for the very specialized field of plastic surgery.

Dr. Bosworth is currently the chief resident of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Recently, he was awarded an aesthetic fellowship at North Texas Plastic Surgery (NTPS) in Southlake, TX, which he will begin this summer.

SGU News spoke with Dr. Bosworth to learn what appeals to him about the field of plastic surgery, his path to fellowship, and his advice for students on how to land a competitive residency position.

St. George’s University: What is aesthetic surgery?

Dr. Jeremy Bosworth: There are two parts to plastic surgery training: reconstructive plastic surgery and aesthetic plastic surgery. Reconstructive surgery is a big part of plastic surgery training and involves things like craniofacial surgery, breast reconstruction, and reconstruction after trauma. Aesthetic surgery involves many types of elective procedures to enhance the appearance such as face lifts, tummy tucks, liposuction, and even body contouring after weight loss.  It also includes non-surgical treatments such as Botox and laser treatments.

SGU: What is a typical day like for a chief resident?

Dr. Bosworth: My typical day at UAB—where I am now—will vary from a full day in the operating room to a full day of in-clinic seeing patients or some combination. We work at a major university hospital, a children’s hospital, a VA, some smaller hospitals, as well as with private practice surgeons in the community so the experience is quite broad and varied. At my fellowship next year, most of the training will be at the main office of a private practice with operating rooms right in the office as well as a medical spa.

 

“When applying for plastic surgery, I knew it would be tough to get a spot as it is a very competitive specialty. I also knew that it was truly what I wanted to do so I was not going to let a challenge deter me.”

 

 

SGU: Congratulations on your new fellowship at NTPS. What will you be learning during this time?

Dr. Bosworth: Thank you! The fellowship, which is endorsed by The Aesthetics Society, includes advanced training in facial surgery, body enhancement and contouring, and non-surgical treatments, as well as learning some of the business side of private practice plastic surgery. I’ll be working with a number of highly trained plastic surgeons which will enable me to broaden and master my skills. I feel that I owe it to my patients to be as well trained as possible, so the fellowship just made sense to me. I’m very excited.

SGU: Why did you choose a career in medicine?

Dr. Bosworth: I went to undergraduate college at the University of Arizona where I was a political science major. My plan was to apply to the FBI or CIA or even law school. But I slowly realized that wasn’t what I wanted to do. A friend at SGU told me about his wonderful experience studying medicine there and said, “Why don’t you apply?” I quickly discovered that medicine was my passion. And the rest is history.

SGU: What was your path after graduating from SGU?

Dr. Bosworth: I first did a general surgery residency at Nassau University Medical Center in New York. I then went on to start a plastic and reconstructive surgery residency here at UAB. I am graduating this July. This was a three-year residency that required completion of a prior surgical residency to be eligible. UAB was my first choice for plastic surgery because of the amazing medical center and the unrivaled clinical experience and volume in all aspects of plastic surgery that we see here. There are only about 30 one-year fellowships in aesthetic surgery like the one at NTPS. I knew it would be competitive. It required going through an application process, interviews, and then finally a match process.

SGU: How has SGU helped shape your career aspirations? 

Dr. Bosworth: Going to medical school at SGU was an amazing and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The students there had such a family-like mentality. Everyone works to lift each other up. Medical school is hard! I could not have got through it without that encouragement from my peers. And living in Grenada was fantastic. It wasn’t even until I got off the island that I realized how SGU shaped my professional outlook. I did most of my clinical rotations in New Jersey. That’s when it became apparent the SGU students were far-and-above better prepared than the other medical students. We worked harder, were reliable, and motivated, and also grateful for the opportunities. This is all something that SGU engrains in you. I carry that with me today.

SGU: Have you ever encountered any bias or skepticism of your abilities because you had gone to a medical school outside the US?  

Dr. Bosworth: I think that old school bias is slowly disappearing in the field of medicine as a whole, especially for SGU grads. I have always been of the mindset that I am not owed or guaranteed anything, and I always try to just prove myself, regardless of whether I find bias or not. The right mindset, hard work, and of course a little luck always helps.

SGU: What advice would you give to SGU students who want to pursue a specialized area of medicine?

Dr. Bosworth: I think it’s important to really be passionate about the field that you choose. When I was applying for residency, I knew I wanted to do a general surgery residency which is not easy! It requires long hours and lots of information and skills to master. And then there is plastic surgery, which is even more challenging. I always remind medical students who rotate with us that surgery is an amazing field if you love it!

In addition, no matter how hard the day before was, I always come to work the next day with a smile on my face. I believe that attitude is part of what helped me excel. When applying for plastic surgery, I knew it would be a tough road to get a spot as it is a very competitive specialty. I also knew that it was truly what I wanted to do so I was not going to let a challenge deter me.

My final piece of advice is don’t rush into making a decision on your specialty. If you don’t already know, keep an open mind. But when you do find that passion, go after it with everything you’ve got.

 

 

— Paul Burch

 

 

 

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SVM grad helps refugees and their pets at Ukraine-Poland border

Andrew Kushnir, DVM ’19, traveled to Poland in late March to provide on-the-ground support for refugees—and their pets—who have evacuated from war-torn Ukraine.

Andrew Kushnir, DVM ’19, felt a greater calling to help those in need. Dr. Kushnir, a graduate of St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine, traveled to Poland in late March to provide on-the-ground support for refugees—and their pets—who have evacuated from war-torn Ukraine.

Dr. Kushnir, a staff veterinarian at San Diego, CA-based Project Wildlife, teamed with nonprofit organization International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAWglobal) to assist shelters, sanctuaries, and zoos as they handle the influx of animals needing care. He shared why he felt the need to contribute to the relief efforts in the region.

St. George’s University: Where are you located and how did you get involved with IFAWglobal?

Dr. Kushnir: I am currently deployed with IFAW at the Ukrainian-Polish border crossing in Medyka, Poland. When the war in Ukraine started, I immediately started reaching out to every organization I could find that was providing support for animals in conflict.

SGU: Was it a difficult decision to make this commitment?

Dr. Kushnir: My father and his family were once refugees fleeing Ukraine during World War II, and I knew that I had to step up in whatever capacity I could to help support people fleeing conflict. We veterinarians don’t just help animals; we also help people through animals.

Being here on the border providing food, water, pet carriers, food bowls, fresh bedding, and warm clothes to pets really makes a huge impact on refugees. Along with getting the peace of mind of a vet looking over their animals, these displaced people have a little bit less to have to worry about as they move onwards to their next destination.

SGU: How will your training as a veterinarian translate to field medicine like this and on people?

Dr. Kushnir: Veterinarians are used to working in scenarios where one has to get creative with the tools available to achieve the most optimal outcome. So triaging stressed, injured, and sick animals out of a tent approximately 100 feet from the border of a war-ravaged country isn’t totally out of the scope of what I and other veterinarians are trained to do.

SGU: How would you describe your emotions now that you’re seeing the strife firsthand?

Dr. Kushnir: Since being here at the refugee camp, I have felt the full kaleidoscope of human emotions. Every moment here, I am surrounded by an endless stream of people seeking shelter and safety from war, who have had to pack their entire lives into a few suitcases and grocery bags. When they reach the refugee camp, volunteers of humanitarian organizations from all over the world greet them with smiles, warm food and drink, and the assurance that they are safe. For many folks, their pet is family and a great comfort at this time so being able to provide veterinary and supportive care to their critters is an exceptionally profound service to offer.

SGU: Have you done any sort of field medicine like this before?

Dr. Kushnir: Working at animal shelters and wildlife centers, I have a lot of experience treating a variety of animals in field conditions, but working in a refugee camp is a first for me.

SGU: What characteristics does a doctor—of any type—need to have to be able to handle field medicine like this?

Dr. Kushnir: There are many qualities I think a veterinarian/doctor needs to have if they want to feel comfortable working in field/disaster relief settings.

  • Being exceptionally resourceful is important because you’ll need to adapt to a potentially ever-changing environment. For example, the tent you’re examining a scared cat inside of suddenly collapses under the weight of pouring rain and strong winds!
  • Being OK with not having the best tools or medicines available but still being able to tackle the problem as best as you can.
  • Knowing that limitations will surely arise, but nevertheless staying positive and focused on getting the job done.

SGU: How has your training at SGU prepared you for this type of front line aid?

Dr. Kushnir: Studying at SGU and living in Grenada definitely helped me build up not just my foundation of knowledge and comfort in a clinical setting, but it also fostered a passion for wanting to work with the most vulnerable animal populations in whatever environment they’re found. The investment is great, and the rewards are greater!

 

 

 

— Laurie Chartorynsky

 

 

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Charter Class SGS Alum Credits MBA Program for Profoundly Impacting His Career

When Grenadian Aaron Logie received his Master of Business Administration from St. George’s University in 2009, he was one of several charter graduates of the University’s new MBA program that had started two years earlier.

According to Mr. Logie, the program had a profound impact on the course of his career. Today, he serves as the executive manager of finance at the Grenada Co-operative Bank Ltd., where he is in charge of investment portfolios, liquidity management, and regulatory reporting for the institution. In addition, Mr. Logie expects to complete his doctorate in finance from SGU later this year, giving him a unique perspective on the banking sector in the Caribbean.

He shared with SGU News why he chose to complete his MBA degree at SGU and how it aided his career development in business and finance.

St. George’s University: What inspired you to pursue business and finance as a profession?

Mr. Logie: The primary motivation that has driven me along my career path was my love for utilizing logic and reasoning to find solutions to problems. I discovered this early on as a student of accounting. Soon after I took my  Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) exams. During my career I have held several roles in the field of finance and accounting prior to joining the Grenada Cooperative Bank Ltd., which prepared me for the role I am in now and the challenges in managing the finances of a bank.

SGU: Why did you choose to enroll in SGU’s MBA program?

Mr. Logie: The launch of the MBA program by SGU in 2007 was a watershed moment in Grenada for higher education and for the field of business management. No longer did one have to travel to another country at significant cost and inconvenience to achieve an MBA or settle for a corresponding degree.

The interactive nature of the program afforded several advantages that attracted me in addition to it being an inexpensive program. Importantly,  being in the charter class has allowed me to network with fellow business professionals who received their degrees from SGU.

 

“I believe that attaining my MBA at SGU enabled me to broaden my perspective of the business environment, particularly the intangibles and qualitative aspects that are not within the domains of the accounting practice.”

 

SGU: How do you think SGU aided you in your career development? 

Mr. Logie: I believe that attaining my MBA at SGU enabled me to broaden my perspective of the business environment, particularly the intangibles and qualitative aspects that are not within the domains of the accounting practice.

SGU: What are some major takeaways from your MBA education that continue to resonate in your job today?

Mr. Logie: Obtaining my MBA encouraged me to hone in on my presentation and team-working skills, since most courses at the MBA level required students to make presentations as part of group projects. This enhanced my confidence and skills in making presentations at board and senior management meetings.

SGU: Why did you return to SGU for your PhD and how will the advanced degree impact your work at the bank?

Mr. Logie: I think it will expand my knowledge. My thesis has a specific focus on the banking industry in the Eastern Caribbean. To be specific, the topic is “Sustainability of the Indigenous Banking Sector in the Eastern Caribbean.” Hence, it will allow be to make an important contribution to not only the bank where I work, but to the entire industry in the Eastern Caribbean.

SGU: Do you still communicate with other MBA graduates from your class?

Mr. Logie: Yes, and we all feel that SGU was a special place.

SGU: What advice would you give both to new students and those about to graduate from the School of Graduate Studies? 

Mr. Logie: Ultimately, the goal of higher education should be to empower one in his or her thinking. Obtaining the certificate or diploma should not be the end game. Rather, getting the degree will enhance one’s ability to utilize a body of knowledge acquired to help shape decision making process that will result in superior results and a better world.

 

 

– Paul Burch

 

 

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SGU Veterinarians Secure Postgraduate Training Positions in VIRMP Match

Students and graduates of St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine will go on to take the next step in their careers this spring.  Forty-two SGU-trained veterinarians will begin specialized training in both internship and residency positions, according to 2022 data from the Veterinary Internship & Residency Matching Program (VIRMP).

SGU students and grads achieved an overall match rate of 76 percent which compares favorably to the average match rate for all schools—including US schools. SGU’s match rate is also highest among Caribbean veterinary schools.

“We are thrilled that so many SGU veterinary graduates will be able to enhance their training through these exciting internship and residency opportunities,” said Dr. Neil Olson, dean of the SVM. “We wish them the best of luck as they start their postgraduate learning and know they are committed to their profession and to providing excellent animal care.”

Starting in June, newly matched graduates will continue their advanced training in fields such as large animal surgery, neurology, oncology, emergency medicine, and exotic animals, among others. These positions are situated at such prestigious institutions as Tufts University, University of Florida, Cornell University, and Michigan State University and several other universities within the SVM’s network of clinical affiliates.

Students and grads expressed their excitement at starting their upcoming postgraduate positions.

Gurcharan Chrai, DVM ‘21
Emergency and Critical Care
University of Florida

“When I was in vet school, I was sure that I wanted to pursue zoo medicine. During my small animal rotating internship, I became drawn to ECC. I am fascinated with the medicine and the complexity of the cases. With much encouragement from my mentors, I decided to go for it and am so excited that I matched at my first choice!”

 

Tori Cleaver, DVM ‘21
Dermatology
Animal Dermatology Clinic, Tustin, CA

“I initially found myself drawn to dermatology at SGU during the classroom lecture series as well as the sixth term dermatology selective. That interest developed into a passion as I began to see cases during my clinical year at the University of Florida and my rotating internship at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, DC. My special interests within the field include allergic diseases and cutaneous manifestations of systemic diseases. I cannot wait for the next chapter in my career as I achieve my dream of becoming a veterinary dermatologist!”

Lelia Barden, DVM ’20
Radiology
Ohio State

“When I started veterinary school, I wanted to be a surgeon. My passion for radiology started in my third year when I was doing an equine externship in Kentucky. The mentor I was working with took me to the Fasig-Tipton sales for thoroughbreds. I loved every moment and saw a lot of myself in my mentor. Since then, I’ve pursued a path in radiology. My area of interest is in musculoskeletal ultrasound for horses and small animals.”

– Paul Burch

 

 

 

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