Some sixty-eight new students to attend Saint James School of Medicine in The Quarter, Anguilla, have been welcomed to the island by the Hon Minister of Education, Health and Social Development, Mr. Evans McNiel Rogers.
The just-arrived students were at the time undergoing an orientation session at the campus.
Mr. Rogers said he had a passion for health and medical matters, having come from a background of a health professional, with formal training at a Master of Science level in the United States. Plus, he has a son who is an exceptionally-qualified physician and surgeon there. Mr. Rogers was particularly pleased to welcome the students having been the Minister of Health, several years ago, to agree to the establishment of the medical school in Anguilla.
He spoke about the many delights of Anguilla and of the love and attachment to the island which the students will eventually experience. He urged them to conduct themselves well and to study hard.
The students were also addressed by the Dean of Basic Sciences at Saint James School of Medicine, Dr. Claude Bernard Iliou; Dr. Bruce Davidson a professor at the school; Dr. O. M. Linda Banks, Professor of Clinical Psychology; Mr. Ricardo Jeremiah, Campus Coordinator; and former Miss Anguilla, Fedelia Richardson (Shay Shay) who sang “Paradise”, one of the songs of the Pantha Vibes Band of which she is a member. She also gave the students a number of helpful tips for settling down in Anguilla.
The medical students normally complete sixteen months of study in Anguilla before continuing their training in Chicago. Just recently there was another of the several white coat graduations which have taken place in Anguilla over the years.