The Saint James School of Medicine opened its doors on Tuesday January 6, 2015, with an orientation session for about 50 new students for the Spring Semester which runs from January to April 2015. The session comprised presentations by the Dean of Basic Sciences, Dr Claude Bernard Iliou, Dean of Student Affairs, Dr Bruce Davidson, and Dean of Administration, Dr Alexey Podcheko. Their presentations provided students with important information on their medical studies not only in Anguilla, but also in Chicago which is the Head Office of the medical school. Students were also provided with information on life in Anguilla – and tips which would facilitate their transition to their new home for the next sixteen months – by Mr Ricardo Jeremiah, Campus Coordinator.
Incoming students were fortunate to be addressed by one of the first students to enter St James Anguilla campus when it opened its doors in January 2010. Dr Emily Drake, who is a Canadian by birth, is about to begin her residency and was therefore able to provide valuable insights into the entire process including successfully passing the United States Medical Licencing Examinations (USMLE). Dr Emily Drake is married to well-known Anguillian athlete Akeame Mussington, son of Gwenneth Webster and Michael Mussington. The couple met when Emily was studying in Anguilla in 2010 and this union has created even more lasting bonds between the medical student community and Anguilla as they are also expecting their first baby!
Another very special treat for the students this semester was a dynamic welcome presentation by the reigning Ms Anguilla, Ms Fidelia Sherina Richardson. Dr Oluwakemi M Linda Banks, Anguillian Associate Professor of Psychology at St James, usually uses this opportunity to provide historical and cultural information to the new students and has also been inviting the Ms Anguilla pageant winners from 2011 to the present to provide an unforgettable welcome to the island. These have included Ms Taitu Goodwin, Ms Amethyst Davis and Ms Olufunmike Banks Devonish. Last semester the students also received an entertaining welcome by the Mighty Springer, Johnnie Lloyd, with his famous composition on Anguilla!
From its humble beginning with twenty five students five years ago in January 2010, the St James School of Medicine, Anguilla, has now marked its fifth anniversary with about three hundred students who have made a significant positive impact on the economic landscape of Anguilla. Congratulations to St James for attaining this important milestone and thanks to the people of Anguilla for embracing the students and faculty!
– Contributed
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
