St. George’s University School of Medicine Accreditor Grenada Medical and Dental Council Achieves WFME/NCFMEA Recognition

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The Grenada Medical and Dental Council (GMDC)—the accrediting body of SGU’s School of Medicine (SOM)—was recently recognized by the World Federation of Medical Education (WFME), with recognition for the full 10 years through September 2032.

The recognition is important because the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) announced that, effective in 2024, physicians applying for ECFMG certification to participate in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) will be required to graduate from a medical school that has been appropriately accredited by an institution recognized by the WFME. This result ensures that SGUSOM students will continue to have access to the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), participate in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP), and apply for licensure to practice medicine in the United States, Grenada, and elsewhere.

“Since opening in 1977, we have proudly called Grenada our home, and could not be prouder of the future that we will build together,” said Dr. Charles Modica, chancellor of St. George’s University. “WFME recognition of the GMDC is evidence of the strength of our accreditation. With the continued guidance and high standards of the GMDC, students’ pathway to becoming highly skilled, well-trained physicians is as strong as ever.”

The National Commission on Federal Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA), a panel of experts organized by the US Department of Education, recently determined that the GMDC uses standards that are comparable to the standards used to accredit medical schools in the United States, further strengthening the pathway for aspiring physicians in Grenada and around the world to receive a world-class medical education at SGU.

The WFME reviews accrediting bodies based on international standards backed by the World Health Organization, to support the highest possible quality of global medical education. The WFME Recognition Programme is the only one accepted by ECFMG for the recognition of medical school accrediting agencies.

“At SGU, we’re equipping students with the skills they need to treat patients worldwide,” said Dr. Richard Liebowitz, vice chancellor of St. George’s University. “We’re proud of the difference our graduates make and are excited to support more students on their journey toward becoming knowledgeable, empathetic, and passionate physicians.”

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SGU Confers Degrees to School of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2022

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St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine inaugurated a new class of veterinarians at commencement this weekend in Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

“We’re delighted to recognize the achievements of the class of 2022,” said Dr. Neil Olson, dean of the SGU School of Veterinary Medicine. “These new veterinarians have demonstrated perseverance and dedication that will serve them well as they transition into careers in animal healthcare.”

The class of 2022 will enter the workforce at a time when demand for veterinary services is surging. The United States will need up to 41,000 more veterinarians by 2030 to meet the healthcare needs of companion animals alone.

In addition to caring for household pets, the newest graduates of St. George’s School of Veterinary Medicine will take on various roles essential to public health, such as studying how diseases jump from animals to humans and ensuring that our food supply can keep up with demand.

St. George’s offers students an international approach to veterinary medicine. It maintains partnerships with universities in several other countries, including the United States and Canada. Students also have access to a number of unique research opportunities in Grenada.

“The need for highly skilled veterinarians has never been clearer,” Dr. Olson said . “We’re looking forward to watching our newest crop of graduates meet this demand and create positive change in the animal—and human—world.”

 

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St. George’s University Awards 110 Incoming Students with Scholarships

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This spring, St. George’s University announced it has awarded merit-based scholarships to 110 incoming medical school students. 

Fourteen new students earned the Chancellor’s Circle Legacy of Excellence Scholarship, which provides $94,500 in tuition assistance. The recipients hail from several U.S. states and Canadian provinces as well as Jamaica. 

Another 96 students received the Legacy of Excellence Scholarship. They also come from a variety of U.S. states and countries, including Canada, South Korea, Australia, and more. They’ll each receive a minimum of $65,000 in assistance. 

All the recipients demonstrated academic excellence in undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate studies.  

“We’re excited to see what the future holds for our Legacy of Excellence Scholars,” said Dr. G. Richard Olds, president of St. George’s University. “At SGU, we strive to make medical school affordable and accessible, so that we can help educate the doctors the United States needs to address its looming physician shortage.” 

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the United States could face a shortage of as many as 124,000 physicians by 2034. St. George’s University is committed to enabling its students to begin post-residency careers in the United States and Canada, particularly in underserved communities.  

Since St. George’s University launched the Legacy of Excellence Scholarship program, hundreds of scholarship recipients have gone on to become successful physicians. Seventy-five percent of all entering four-year medical students received SGU scholarships in the 2020-2021 academic year, according to the latest available data.  

“It fills me with pride to see our former students practicing medicine where they’re needed most,” Olds said. 

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St. George’s University Announces Admission Partnership with Essex County College and Caldwell University

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St. George’s University has announced a new partnership that will provide eligible students from Essex County College and Caldwell University streamlined admission to St. George’s University School of Medicine.

Accepted students will complete two years at Essex County College and one year at Caldwell University before pursuing a four-year medical degree at St. George’s.

“We are thrilled to establish the first-ever 2+1+4 partnership for high-achieving students at Essex County College and Caldwell University,” said Dr. G. Richard Olds, president of St. George’s University. “The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the depth of the U.S. doctor shortage. Partnerships like this one will help close that gap by making the path to medicine more accessible for aspiring physicians.”

Students in the 2+1+4 program must successfully complete their first two years of undergraduate study at Essex County College with an associate’s degree in biology. Then they must complete one year of undergraduate study at Caldwell University. After that, they’ll move on to the four-year medical degree program at St. George’s University. They’ll also have the opportunity to spend their first year of medicine at Northumbria University in the United Kingdom, which maintains a special partnership with St. George’s University.

Caldwell University

In order to remain eligible for the program, students must maintain a 3.4 grade point average while enrolled at Essex County College and at Caldwell. They must also register a competitive score on the MCAT.

Students accepted to the 2+1+4 program will receive a $10,000 scholarship upon matriculating at St. George’s University. They will receive their Bachelor of Science degree from Caldwell upon successfully completing the first year of the SGU’s MD program.

“We’re extremely excited about this new partnership,” said Dr. Augustine A. Boakye, president of Essex County College. “We’re pleased to be able to help our students who aspire to careers in medicine make their dreams a reality at St. George’s University. Essex County College’s curriculum will help ensure students receive a solid foundation as they continue on the path toward becoming medical doctors.”

“Caldwell University is thrilled to partner with St. George’s University and Essex County College to offer students the opportunity to pursue medicine with exposure to medical professionals from around the world,” said Caldwell President Matthew Whelan, Ed.D. “This collaboration will provide our high achieving students who are passionate about making a difference in healthcare, and who may face economic challenges, with the chance to earn both their undergraduate and medical degrees through a global lens.”

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St. George’s University Reaffirms Commitment To Grenada By Announcing Start Dates For Distance Learning In Fall Term And Working Towards Safe Re-entry To Campus

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TRUE BLUE, Grenada, May 28, 2020 — Today, St. George’s University announced that it will provide students with the option to attend the August 2020 term via online distance learning. This allows students enrolled for the August term to participate in SGU’s virtual education program launched in March due to the global pandemic. The virtual program offers students small group study, personalized academic support and interactive online courses, such as attending live-streamed lectures as they would on campus.

With the planned re-opening of Grenada’s borders in the next two months, SGU is collaborating closely with the Government of Grenada to establish the conditions that will permit students to safely return to campus this Fall. Assuming a safe return is possible, SGU will provide some students with the choice of attending classes on campus. Students attending virtually may remain online for the entire term, through December 2020. The University plans to determine by early July whether the appropriate conditions are in place to facilitate on-campus academic activities in the August term. Students will be surveyed in early June to determine interest in returning to campus for August, should conditions permit.

If it is determined that some students may return to campus, that return will occur after August 1. Any return to campus will include appropriate physical distancing measures in classrooms, labs, dormitories, and other common areas, as well as other best practices for limiting the risk for spread of the disease, including testing for COVID-19.

Dr. Richard Liebowitz, Vice Chancellor of St. George’s University, stated, “While we are eager to return our students to campus as soon as possible, we want to reduce any risks of infection. We believe providing the option of online courses this August, will allow us to prepare thoroughly for an eventual full return of our community to Grenada. The need for new physicians has never been greater, as this unprecedented public health crisis shows. At St. George’s, we’re proud to be the top provider of new doctors to the U.S. healthcare system. This August, we look forward to empowering our newest class of aspiring physicians to pursue their dreams of practicing medicine whether that be through online learning or on the True Blue campus.”

SGU is represented on the government’s Task Force for Rebuilding the Grenadian Economy committee for re-opening Grenada and all final decisions on onsite operations will comply with the health and safety protocols outlined by the Government of Grenada.

Dr. Charles Modica, Chancellor of St. George’s University, stated, “We look forward to welcoming our students back to campus from all the schools as soon as we are able to do so. The University remains committed to the country and people of Grenada in this long-term partnership, and we look forward to returning as an active and vital member of the community.”

St. George’s University Students Form a Line of Pride in Support of Grenada

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TRUE BLUE, Grenada, March 14, 2020 — St. George’s University (SGU) has been continuing to follow the global outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and has been working collaboratively with the leaders of the Government of Grenada to address the Coronavirus pandemic.

The safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff and the larger Grenadian community continue to be of paramount importance to SGU. At this time, we continue to encourage students to leave the island to lessen the burden on Grenada, and a significant portion has chosen to do so. To facilitate these efforts, SGU has chartered aircrafts that have already made a number of flights to major U.S. hubs.

“The measures we are taking are in line with best practice and guidelines being encouraged by global health organizations and followed by universities throughout the world,” said Richard Liebowitz, MD, Vice Chancellor of St. George’s University. “Our goal is to ensure our students and faculty help reduce density on campus and on the island of Grenada to reduce any potential future spread of the virus and free up resources on the island for those who may need them most. Our actions were not related to any specific medical situation on the island, but to achieve the goal of lessening the spread of disease in the future.”

SGU is working collaboratively with key stakeholders in the Grenadian community, including the Ministries of Health and Education, as well as the Grenada Airport Authority to help manage the situation and facilitate a smooth process. SGU will not direct students to return to Grenada until it is safe to do so for all and will be transitioning to online learning activities for all students, including the School of Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Arts and Sciences, over the next week.

While SGU continues to facilitate students, who want to leave the island, some have chosen to remain in Grenada, both on and off campus. The campus will remain operational, and SGU intends to maintain full staff pay and benefits during this pandemic. SGU is continuing to assess the situation and is actively communicating with those on campus.

SGU is also continuing to work closely with the Government of Grenada to assist with preparations for enhancing the public health infrastructure on the island.

“As in past crises, SGU stands with the people and Government of Grenada to address any challenges and provide appropriate support as we face this challenge together,” Dr. Charles Modica, Chancellor of SGU, stated. “Our students lined up at the airport represent a line of pride for their medical education in Grenada and their commitment as future physicians to unburden the Grenadian health care system during this unprecedented pandemic.”

Chancellor Modica added: “We are actively in the process of assisting in procuring and providing medical equipment to the Grenada General Hospital and laboratory, as well as professional assistance to support both local needs and those of students and best prepare the island’s health care system for the potential threat.”

To date, no member of the university community has contracted COVID-19. SGU remains vigilant and will continue to coordinate with Grenada’s Ministry of Health, and our international partners.

St. George’s University Follows Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education to Stem the Spread of COVID-19

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TRUE BLUE, Grenada, March 12, 2020 – St. George’s University has been closely following the global outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19), including its recent characterization as a pandemic as well as the potential implications it may have on our True Blue Grenada campus and the larger community in Grenada.

While at this time there are no confirmed COVID-19 cases in Grenada, the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff and the larger Grenada community are of paramount importance to us. Our goal is to make prudent decisions that reflect our commitment to the ongoing safety of our campus community and that of the people of Grenada.

SGU has decided to encourage all international students on the Grenada campus to return home with the situation being re-evaluated by April 15. Students will only return to Grenada when it is well advisable and the global pandemic has stabilized. We will be in close coordination with the Ministry of Health regarding the timing of students’ return. Some students and faculty, both local and international, will remain in Grenada and our campus will remain open for all who continue to reside there, with full use of campus facilities. This approach is consistent with recommendations for Institutions of Higher Education from public health officials, and mirrors the actions taken by many universities around the globe to limit the density of large populations on their campuses. The plan is for only small groups to meet face to face, with appropriate social distancing, with the further development and implementation of online education to reduce the need for face to face classroom gathering.

We will continue to operate the campus in Grenada with full staffing, with no change to current employment status, pay or benefits.

These actions are taken out of concern for our students, faculty and staff and the desire to maintain public health in Grenada, in light of this rapidly changing situation. SGU is also working closely with the Government of Grenada to assist with preparations for enhancing the public health infrastructure on the island.

“As SGU has done in the past during challenging times, we will continue to stand with our Grenadian partners and the people of Grenada with support and close collaboration,” Dr. Charles Modica, Chancellor of SGU, said.

Prime Minister Mitchell stated, “We appreciate the close partnership with SGU and Chancellor Modica, and want to support all efforts to lessen the risk to Grenada of COVID-19. We will continue to closely coordinate with SGU to address this issue and mitigate the impact on Grenada.”

To date, no member of the university community has contracted COVID-19. We have been working diligently with the Ministry of Health, Grenada and our international partners to consider every contingency that will allow us to limit exposure to the disease among members of the SGU and Grenadian community.