The Pulse 2012-2013

the

November 2012

PULSE

the official newsletter of the Trinidad and Tobago Medical Students’ Association

Welcome to MedSci Class of 2017! inside this issue...

> Success in Medical School > Interviews > Year in review > NEWS @ Mt Hope TSTT - TTMSA Banquet Gold sponsor 2012

Success in Medical School

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A Professional’s Perspective

by Dr Shastri Motilal MB.BS Hons.(UWI), D.M.

Life in medical school (aka Mt Hope) is challenging. For the new student it can also be somewhat confusing. In this article, Dr Motilal, a lecturer in family medicine and a graduate of Mt Hope, gives a candid look at medical school and life as a doctor and offers advice from the viewpoint of a practising physician.

What makes these five years of school important/ unique in the life of a physician?

Whenever I look back at the five years I spent in medical school I am always amazed at how fast that time went by. Although at the beginning 5 years seemed like forever, the volume of work to be covered during this time often made me question if it was ever going to be enough. Yet this time period was critical as it formed the basis of everything I have come to know as a practitioner in the medical field. Apart from the knowledge gained over these years it also prepared you for the world. It served as a time for personal growth and provided lots of opportunities to develop the qualities that are expected of you as a doctor.

What skills do students need to develop over to be successful in exams and also for a successful practice of medicine?

There are two kinds of qualities that produce a successful physician. The first set of qualities includes diligence, commitment, sacrifice and persistence.

These are the ingredients for academic success throughout the curriculum and are also what keep a doctor up to date and knowledgeable. But the more important characteristics to be developed are what set you apart from other disciplines. Humility, honesty,

kindness, understanding, patience and selfless service for the benefit of humanity, are all compulsory for the successful practice of medicine. What makes a great doctor in the eyes of the public is 99% attitude and 1% knowledge.

What are some challenges faced as a Mt Hope student?

Life in general is not always easy, simple and straightforward. Adding 5 grueling years of medical school to that definitely doesn’t make it any easier.

The ups and downs of life continue throughout medical school and all medical students have felt that there came a time when success or continuing seemed impossible. Regardless of the seemingly insurmountable problems that you face, never giving up, belief and faith is what will always carry you through. Always remember the trip through medical school is just a tiny part of the bigger journey of life. Spirituality as the central theme of life is what will help you along this journey.

How important are the preclinical years?

The preclinical years can be easily overlooked as the basic sciences that are taught form the foundation for the clinical years. Attend all your lectures and concentrate on understanding rather than learning and regurgitating facts. Never stop asking why? When the clinical years arrive grasp every opportunity to talk to patients and examine them. You are more likely to remember their faces and stories far better than any page in a textbook, when you are sweating in the exam room. The patients you encounter in the clinical years will prove to be your best teachers.

in Medical School

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A Professional’s Perspective (continued)

What are some factors to consider when choosing a specialty and why did I choose my specialty?

My passion for family medicine arose at the end of internship when I was doing my community health rotation. I saw a wide range of conditions, had time to sit and talk with my patients and felt a sense of accomplishment when they were thankful that they felt better. In general practice the patient centered relationship that is developed was in contrast to the disease based manner of hospital care. Too often this meant that patients upon discharge were still clueless as to their condition and didn’t feel that they were cared for. As a family doctor I felt like I made a difference. The specialty that any doctor chooses must be motivated by genuine love for the discipline and the belief that you can make a positive difference in the lives of your patient.

What is the life of a doctor realistically like, and how does it compare to life as a med student?

The transition from medical student to a practicing physician is literally overnight. The change in responsibility is huge. If as a student you thought you didn’t have enough time, wait until you start practicing. Not only are you all of a sudden accountable for patients lives but you are expected to maintain the ideals of the profession despite being tired, sleepy and hungry.

Emotionally it can be demanding when you are the bearer of bad news or when despite your best efforts, patients are unaware of the limitations under which you work. But the lives that you save are never forgotten and the patients, whose lives you transform, will always thank you and remind you of your purpose.

It is then that you get the feeling; this is what I was born to do.

How is medicine changing for the future?

Perhaps the greatest invention of the past century is the internet. This has had a tremendous impact on

medicine over the past decade. Physicians can now access the latest information online (rather than waiting for a new book edition) and patients are now exposed to never ending web pages of information.

This means that now physicians must make an extra effort to be aware of what is most recent, up to date and more importantly evidence based. The other aspect that has changed over the years is that we have become a more litigious society. Cases of alleged medical negligence are too frequent an occurrence and aspiring physicians need to strike a balance between high ethical standards of care without practicing overly cautious defensive medicine. This can be accomplished by being honest with yourselves and patients, treating them how you would like to be treated and listening to your patients’ concerns.

About the Author: Dr. Motilal graduated at the age of 22 with Honours in his medical degree from UWI, St. Augustine in 2003. He realized his passion for family medicine at the end of internship and decided to pursue this as his specialty, while he worked in the public primary care system where he gained most of his experience. He also had interest in the teaching and training of medical students and started to teach final year medical students formally as an associate lecturer in 2010. He completed his Doctor of Medicine in Family Medicine (UWI, St. Augustine) in 2011. In 2012 he joined the Faculty of Medical Sciences as a full time lecturer in Family Medicine while maintaining clinical practice part time. His main hobby is playing the keyboard and he describes himself as spiritual with great interest in meditation and regression therapy. His overall vision is to raise the standards of general practice, by providing a high level of care, and heal people through an ideal combination of evidence based modern day medicine and traditional or metaphysical therapies.

Beyond office hours

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Interview with Prof. Surujpal Teelucksingh As a Professor of Medicine, the campus orator of the UWI, the leader of several projects - both on a national and regional scale - and, of course, a practising medical doctor, Professor Teelucksingh seems to function as efficiently as the latest Intel microprocessor chip. However, medical school and medical training was quite different for our dynamic Professor, as he found it difficult and never imagined that he could complete it.

Tell us about your life before medicine: I attended Presentation Chaguanas. The only Presentation; all the others are imitation. After I finished A’ levels it was customary in my time to take a year out so I taught at Hillview for a year.

Why medicine?

I would not have chosen anything else. It was medicine or nothing.

Tell us about your medical school experience: All of us had to go to Mona Jamaica, at least for the basic sciences. POS was the only teaching hospital in Trinidad, so I spent two years there. Following undergraduate training, we had to do two years internship, as stipulated then by the ministries of health. Following internship, I started post-graduate work and completely my postgraduate work in Edinburgh, Scotland. I got the opportunity to study for a Phd as well and completely a Phd in the time I was there. I spent 4 years in Edinburgh. Edinburgh is a beautiful place.

Were you as dynamic in medical school as you are now?

It’s inevitable to escape your personality. I suppose I’ve always been a multitasker. But medical school for me was very very focused. I found medical school and medical training very challenging. In fact I’ll go so far to say that I found it difficult.

When I started medicine, I never imagined I could complete it. I felt tremendous pressure, especially

at the basic sciences. I couldn’t deal with diversions in the early years, so I absorbed myself into the subject.

Individuals have to know themselves and their abilities.

As much as diversions can help some people, it can hurt others. There is no point being good at everything else and failing your medical courses. Your base must be medicine and the diversions must add value when they can. The flourish and the blossoming occurred during the clinical years. I was happy to be in the clinical environment.

My message to basic science students (year 1s & 2s) is that your learning curve is steepest in the first 2-3 years of medicine. It’s like being thrown in the deepest of deep ends.

That’s where the challenge is. If you overcome those first 2-3 years you can swim in any water. Don’t lose focus in those first 3 “ When I started years.

medicine, I never imagined I could complete it. ”

You mentioned in your orientation lecture to first year students that doctors, and students, should ‘practice what they preach.’ Can you elaborate on this?

It’s to avoid the conundrum of double standards. Every doctor should understand how valued their role in society is. It reeks of double standards and it undervalues the good work that most doctors do, when we are seen to not practice what we tell society to do. For example, I don’t think it’s fair for doctors to tell patients they should stop smoking when they themselves smoke.

In the same vein, it’s unfair for doctors to tell patients they must exercise regularly and they themselves aren’t exercising.

Beyond office hours: Interview with Prof.

Surujpal Teelucksingh (continued) What drives you to practise medicine in a country commonly described as third-world, corrupt, lawless etc ?

All the deficiencies you have pointed to are opportunities. The greater the apparent weaknesses, the greater the opportunities. . And I’m sincere when I say that. I have 10 projects on my table right now that are arising from those weaknesses. I will not denigrate and diminish our country for what might be said scathingly with limited agendas. A country is a biologic being just like our body. It’s changing and adapting and we have to be part of that and contribute to that. It’s a great boon to practice medicine among people who you know and understand. You are very lucky to be in a place where you can identify with the soul and spirit of the people.

I find that particularly invigorating. In fact that is one of the most rewarding aspects of what I do.

What do you see in the future of healthcare for current students?

I do feel that the next horizon in healthcare, which will impact very positively on the health of the nation, is in looking at maternal health in a serious way. I refer specifically to the issue of dealing with obesity and diabetes in pregnancy. Much of our infant mortality may be due to undetected diabetes. There are 15-20,000 deliveries in Trinidad. That’s our production line for the future. We must give that next generation special care.

That’s my personal wish. I think maternal health, child health and care of the elderly are the things that should be on our radar.

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What are the main challenges for medical students at the UWI? I do think that our undergraduate programme is very strong. One immediate issue might be the large numbers of students and the relative paucity of clinical spaces. I do feel we have to be creative in how we expose students to the clinical environment. That’s engaging my department right now and we are thinking of creative ways of doing that. I do feel that technology would provide a part solution.

What disappointments do you have in our generation?

What I am disappointed in is purely generational. I do feel the current generation, and this is a valued judgment, is probably a little bit too materialistic. I see them requiring rewards too quickly. There can’t be rewards without work.

What are your hopes for our generation?

I see lots of good things in students. Every generation produces its own outstanding lot. I never underestimate the potential of any given generation. The process of learning is slow and insidious. You’ve got to do it well and the rewards will follow. It lowers us when we want to achieve rewards without the requisite amount of work and perhaps, that is what I meant when I said materialism has taken over. There should be no jealousy against somebody who works hard and achieves. I do feel that you all have the resources and the skills and the ability to be better than this generation. I have no doubt that you can do that.

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Interview:

Prof. Shivananda Nayak Prof. Shivananda Nayak is well known by medical students as a dedeicated teacher of Biochemistry.

Originally from India, he has authored four textbooks and is actively involved in research at UWI. In this interview, Prof. Nayak tells us more about his background and discusses what becoming a Professor means to him.

Prof. Nayak, where did you grow up and at what university did you study?

I was born and grew up in South India, where I studied at Manipal University. At Manipal University I returned to join the faculty, and I served as Associate Professor there for fourteen years, where I was involved in teaching medical, dental and allied health students.

What influenced you to enter the field of biochemistry?

I was always very interested in research. However I also realised over the years that I enjoyed teaching.

So biochemistry was the perfect field, as it combined these two areas – research and teaching- so that I was able to do both.

Why did you choose to join the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago?

Well, the opportunity was presented to me and I decided to seize this challenge. I considered that here was an opportunity to share and gain knowledge, and experience, outside of my home country. Also, I love teaching, and here was an opportunity to teach students who were different from those I had been teaching for years.

Was it difficult to adjust to Trinidad and Tobago?

No, not really!! In Trinidad and Tobago I have met so many friendly people. I was made to feel welcome by the students and staff in the university. Beyond feeling welcome, I felt motivated by the staff and students. In particular, Professor Samuel Ramsewak, the current Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, has always encouraged and motivated me. Trinidad is my “second home�, forever!

Can you share with us some of the criteria that you met to attain the title of Professor?

Many factors are taken into consideration here. Some of these are- quality of research generated, being a good teacher, and this must be reflected by the feedback of you, my students. One must also be competent in administrative work relating to the faculty and university. And importantly, community service.

What does attaining the title of Professor mean to you?

I see this as an increased responsibility to the students and to the community at large. It motivates me to concentrate more on research, and I hope that I can produce even higher quality research, which can contribute positively to Trinidad and Tobago.

Can you tell us about you research over the years?

As of now, the number of articles I have published in international peer-reviewed journals stands at about seventy-eight papers. Type two diabetes mellitus exerts a very high burden on Trinidad and Tobago, and there are so many patients at risk of developing this disease. I have focused a lot of research into markers of cardiovascular disease and inflammation, for example adiponectin. This has potential to enable physicians to better identify disease. We have

Interview : Prof. Shivananda Nayak also researched wound healing, do medicinal plants help wound healing? This has been investigated using animal models.

What has driven you to be such a dedicated lecturer, and now, Professor?

I am always trying to give better teaching to the students. I look forward to better feedback from students. There is also great motivation from the academic community here, led by Professor Ramsewak.

Becoming Professor is not a “stop” for me- I want to continue to be the best teacher I can be.

Are you married?

Yes, I am married, and I have two sons, one who wants to do medicine and the other engineering.

What is your favourite food?

Well I am a “manchurian” or as you say vegetarian – and I love “gobi manchuria” or cauliflower.

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What interests do you pursue in your free time?

I love to play badminton, also I love cricket. I do not watch much TV. Also a lot of time goes into writing textbooks and articles, and also reading.

What cricket team do you support and who is your favourite player?

I cannot lie here- first I support India! But next and always is West Indies, my second home. My favourite players are Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara.

Finally, what advice do you have for the new year 1 students?

You must know what you enrolling in med sci means. Concentrate on your studies and make every effort to attend the lectures, not just attend but pay attention to the lecturer and listen! And always remember your parents who have sent you this far, give med sci your best and let your achievements make them happy!!

The J.G.I. Hall

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As a medical student there is only one place you should reside during your studies and that is Joyce Gibson Inniss Hall. The residents of the hall are like a family and as the one hall which houses only Medical students everyone is on the same path.

Living on a hall with your classmates and persons in higher year groups not only helps with your studying but can be very useful around exam periods. The older residents look out for their “younger siblings” by sharing past notes, past papers and by making sure all resources are available to them, something that you would not experience living anywhere else.

Residents of Joyce Gibson Inniss Hall come from all over the world as the hall is known for housing Bostwanna Students every year. There a culmination of cultures and the hall strives for integration by hosting a number of cultural events throughout the school year.

The hall is within five minutes walking distance from the teaching complex and this can be extremely convenient after those late nights of studying when every minute of sleep counts.

It is known that the residents of Joyce Gibson Inniss Hall not only put on the best hall concert but they host the best and most memorable hall parties. The residents know when its time to work but they also know when its times to play!

SCHEDULE OF MAJOR EVENTS FOR THE UPCOMING ACADEMIC YEAR Christmas Extravaganza Sports Week Interblock Debate Cook-off Fundraiser Health Fair Pyjama Party –INSOMNIA Hall Dinner

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get INvolved @ Mt Hope: Clubs & Organisations

The Art Society of Mt Hope is a club designed to showcase

the artistic talents of all the students at the Faculty of Medical Sciences. The main goals of the club include providing a forum for those who are artistically inclined or appreciate the Arts to express themselves within the Mt Hope faculty, increasing the awareness of the artistic talents of the students, providing entertainment for students and staff of the faculty as well as continuing to foster a well-rounded student. Since Art Society’s inception, over the last 2 years Mt Hope has been represented at Main Campus’ Shades of Hue Exhibition. Students also got an opportunity to display artwork during the Faculty’s Photography exhibition earlier this year. The biggest event yet that Art Society hosted, was Mt Hope’s highly successful first Art Gala where our artistic students and staff not only displayed their artwork for the rest of the faculty but live entertainment was provided by our talented musically inclined students. Planning is presently underway for their 2nd Art Gala.

The UWI Medical Sciences Equine Club is an equestrian club that offers horseback riding lessons. We develop our riders in a very holistic way so that they learn not just how to ride but also how to care for and bond with the horses. Any registered UWI Student can join this club.

Non UWI Students may also inquire if interested. We meet every Thursday at 1pm at the Veterinary School Stables, feel free to come over and have a look before you join so you can see what it’s like. We are hoping to host a fun event geared particularly to the all the students of the faculty post exams! Stay tuned to our page for more info. Facebook group: Medical Sciences Equine Club (https://www. facebook.com/groups/10140027933/) E-mail : uwi.equine@ gmail.com VSATT is the abbreviation for the Veterinary Students association of Trinidad & Tobago. We represent ALL veterinary students that attend the School of Veterinary Medicine of UWI. We are a non-profit organization established for the representation of students, throughout the region and internationally, who currently attend the School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) at the University of the West Indies. The association seeks to voice student concerns through liaison with staff at the SVM and the greater University. Big events for this year: VSATT Student’s Banquet (Nov 16th 2012).

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Get INvolved@Mt Hope:

Clubs & Organisations

IVCF, the InterVarsity Christian fellowship, is a member of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students which is present in >130 countries. The aim of IVCF is “To know Christ and to make Him known”. It is a student-led organization and aims to bring students together in christian fellowship and prayer, community involvement, and developing sound values and leadership skills. Meetings are every Thursday in Amphitheatre B from 1pm, and cell groups also meet during the week.

For further information, please join the facebook group “IVCF of Mt Hope, UWI.”

M.E.D.S, The Movement for the Encouragement of Dharmic Services, is an organisation dedicated to the promotion of Hindu culture and traditions, and is based at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Mt. Hope.We do this by hosting a multitude of events such as weekly Satsangs (prayer sessions), poojas, the much anticipated Divali Play, and the PEADS Treat, where every year for Christmas, M.E.D.S together with other student groups, treat the children at the Paediatrics Ward EWMSC, Mt. Hope. Join our Facebook group to keep informed of our activities and to receive important updates. The Annual MEDS Divali play will is upcoming in November 2012.

Mount Hope Islamic Society Mt. Hope Islamic Society (MHIS) is an organization which is involved

in charity work and spreading the beautiful message of Islam or clearing any misconceptions. Despite the pressures of intensive workloads the members still find time to leave behind all their worldly ambitions/matters to stand side by side in an empty classroom for the midday prayer. (12:30 pm in Seminar room 8) On Fridays, students, doctors, lecturers and patients gather in the Worship Hall for Friday prayers (Jummah). At MHIS, it’s all about beating stress in a number of ways: from finding peace and spiritual enrichment to community oriented activities. Now, in the new academic year, the society has a host of upcoming activities including a fundraising event for the Breast Cancer Society / Pink Hijaab Day to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness month, a filmscreening of the movie “Journey to Mecca” for the occasion of the Hajj and a “brain-cooler” hike after exams.

Perhaps the most anticipated of the events is the annual fundraiser dinner in the JFK auditorium. Simply put, Mount Hope Islamic Society focuses on pleasing Almighty Allah through helping those in need, bringing people to Islam and fostering unity, as we have fun doing our duty as Muslims.

TTOPS- Trinidad and Tobago Organization of pharmacy students is a non profit organization dedicated to fostering strong relations within the student population, faculty administrators and the wider community. TTOPS usually has meetings in the school of pharmacy. Major upcoming events include the Charity Fashion Show, Pharmacy Week celebration, Banquet and Pharmily day. For further info - Email: ttopsewmsc@gmail.com

2011/12: Year in Review with the Outgoing TTMSA President, Cherisse Ratiram

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1. Let’s start at the beginning. What motivated you to want to represent medical students and lead TTMSA for the past year?

To me, TTMSA represents the voice of the MB.BS student body. Being involved in TTMSA meant being a part of the process where we work toward ensuring that our voice is heard.

2. Can you share with us some of the responsibilities you took up as the TTMSA President?

I honestly can’t think of any responsibility that was specific to my role as President. During our term in office, the executive members worked as a team, ensuring that the job always got done.

We represented the student body at various student and faculty meetings, retreats and functions. We planned and executed several events and supported students on issues which affected them.

3. Using one word only, how would you describe the past year for TTMSA? Awesome 4. What was the highlight of the year for TTMSA? Based on student feedback, our collaboration with the Faculty and MSL to provide a 24/7 Library Reading Room at Mt Hope was definitely the highlight. This project was envisioned long before us, and it was a pleasure to see it finally come to pass.

5. And what were some of the other achievements of the past year?

During the past year and a half we aimed at enhancing the Medsci student’s daily life by install-

Highlight: Opening of the 24/7 Library Service ing vending machines in the foyer, refurbishing the Student Common Rooms, having a “Late Night Bite Cafe” during phase exam periods, adding recycling bins throughout Mt Hope and lobbying for a student shuttle PBR pass and a Student Accommodations Building at SFGH. Our main events included Orientation Week, Blood Donation weeks, Fun Day, Annual Banquets, Christmas Decorating, Futsal Tournament and supporting other organizations in their medical clinics.

As for our work with the Margaret Kistow home, that was more a privilege than an accomplishment.

I must say a special thank you to the subcommittees who were key to the success of many of our ventures.

6. I am sure sometimes situations did not produce the results you hoped. Have you felt as though your time and efforts are sometimes in vain?

Without meaning to sound cliché, there were times when I felt disheartened, but in reality not all things work out according to plan. I guess I never felt as though our efforts were in vain, because I truly believe that giving it your best shot is important, despite the outcome.

pg 11 7. Is there anything you would have done differently in the past year?

When I look at the MB.BS body, I see people from many different backgrounds and cultures. It would have brought me great joy to host events which promoted oneness through us learning and celebrating each other’s differences.

8. Can you tell us how you have been able to balance being on the wards, studying, attending class and leading TTMSA? I believe the trick is to do what you love. I loved being a part of the TTMSA executive, so it never felt like an added burden. If anything, it kept me sane, because it often gave me perspective and reminded me of the world which existed and mattered outside my bubble.

Also my friends supported me and looked out for me a great deal when things got difficult along the way. I thank God daily for the friendships he blessed me with.

9. Are there any projects which you have passed on to the incoming executive to continue?

The POSGH Student Common Room Refurbishment project is being passed on.

Aside from this, it is left to the newly elected executive to create a calendar of their own. I am excited to see TTMSA continue to flourish under their leadership.

10. Have the demands of the past year caused you develop or discard any personal attitudes or

qualities?

Most definitely. I have learnt to manage my time and prioritize better. I have also learnt to be more open to new perspectives and to hold my tongue when it benefits those whom I represent.

11. Are there any misconceptions about TTMSA you would like to address?

A great misconception is that TTMSA only represents Trinbagonian students. Let me take this opportunity to inform all that as MB.BS students, we are all members of TTMSA and are all represented by TTMSA. 12. Finally, what advice would you offer to the new medical students?

Study hard and laugh harder. Find something that you love outside your academic bubble and dive into it. The cool corridors of Mt Hope are now your second home, so do not be afraid to bring something new to the table or to get involved through the avenues already available.

Be respectful, humble, put your heart into all that you do and make a difference because in the words of Dr Seuss, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

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MedSci NEWS what’s happenning at Mt Hope / the Faculty of Medical Sciences

TTMSA Committee 2012-13 Elected ·

President: Lennon Johnson

·

Vice President: Shawn Seepersad

·

Treasurer: Erron Ramdass

·

Secretary: Christelle Seerattan

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Assistant secretary: Nikita Murray

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TTMSA Class of 2017 Representative: Aved-Ali John

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TTMSA Class of 2016 Representative: Ria Khaja

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TTMSA Class of 2015 Representative: Winsie Ann Cuffy

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TTMSA Class of 2014 Representative: Jonathon Ramsaran

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TTMSA Class of 2013 Representative: Nalini Maharaj

@ The Mt Hope Library:

1. Library 24/7 service is back on 2. Shelving is now available again in the library.

3. Databases on trial at the Med Sci Library - UpToDate, Scientific & Medical Imagebase, CINAHL, DynaMED, Nursing Reference Center. See the link “new databases trial” on the website www.mainlib. uwi.tt/msl/

If you were wondering...

Some Mt Hope Statistics: > total number of new students FMS Sep 2012: 516 > total number of new MBBS students Sep 2012: 266 ( 243 local & 23 foreign) > total number of graduates for MBBS 2012: 134

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MedSci NEWS what’s happenning at Mt Hope / the Faculty of Medical Sciences

Congratulations:

to the following lecturers on their promotions:

Student Accommodations at SFGH

The long awaited accomadations at San Fernando General Hospital have been officially opened. They comprise Christine Carrington – Professor (Molecular Genetics double occupancy rooms.

For more information: studentsaccomadationsfgh@ and Virology) Prof. Carrington is also the Deputy Dean for Graduate gmail.com or contact Ms Alisha Constantine-Applewhite (Tammy) at the UWI south office which has been Studies and Research 2012/13. relocated to the lower floor of the student accommodations building.

Dr Dilip Dan – Senior Lecturer Shivananda Nayak – Professor (Chemical Pathology)

Welcome: Dr Stanley Lobo - Snr Lecturer (Anatomy) Dr Paul Kadetz - Lecturer (Praclinical Sciences) Dr Ignacio Corradini - Lecturer (Equine Vet.Med.) Prof John Sweet - Consultant in Periodontology

Retirement: Happy retirement and thanks to Dr Joan Rawlins, Senior Lecturer (Public Health and Primary Care).

Accreditation -

FMS has been accredited by Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Medicine and other Health Professions MBBS - 5 years, DDS- 1 year, DVM- 2 years; starting 2012.

Department restructuring :

BSc Optometry has been transferred from the Faculty of Science and Agriculture to FMS.

pg 14

TTMSA expresses thanks to the following Banquet sponsors:

pg 15

~ Fun Page ~

Can you spot the diagnosis?

Across 1. Change profession (6) 5. Done before exam to pass in pain (5) 8. Work for this delivery (6) 9. Reaction belonging to apiarist? (5) 10. English in back row always get tropical disease (6,5) 12. Waste fluid at home in flower (5) 13. Woe betides a chronic condition (8) 15. Bankrupt surgeon finally cracked (6) 17. Actually scan inside bottom administration (8) 19. Used to extract a number of mushrooms, we hear (7) 21. Statistical model of French fish (7) 23. Cyst embedded in marrow end (3) 24. Doctor, taken in by wild sexy moon, finds chromosomal abnormality (1,1,8) 25. Cherub loses article – might be alcoholic! (3) Down 1. Quality of femme fatale? (4,4) 2. Punctuation in G.I.T. (5) 3. Virus in bedsore? Ouch! (3) 4. see 1d.

5. Chore can be rearranged about position of medical database (8, 6) 6. Statistical test is a star (5) 7. They must heal themselves, proverbially (10) 11. Worried a lecture will erode mucosa (8) 14. Top class character is without corpus callosum in his syndrome (8) 16. Catch this disease giving mouth to mouth? (7) 17. Reaction about bend (6) 18. Southern hairdo might be donated? (5) 20. Potassium, twice stated dose, initially leads to collapse after shock (1,1,1,1) 22. A French upset gives 50:50 chance of this result (4)

(answer below)

> Credits & Contact information: Original Artwork - Shazanna Khan Photography - Jeremy Badhal If you have comments or suggestions concerning the newsletter, or you would like to get involved, please contact Satish Maharaj - satishsmaharaj@hotmail.com or Taureef Mohammed- taureef_im@gmail.com. Articles, news and photography submissions are welcome.

Source: Oxford Medical School Gazette V60(1) 2010 In this male patient contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen demonstrated situs inversus totalis. The apex of the heart is on the right with, stomach and spleen resting on the right side and the liver on the left side of the abdomen.

Additionally, there is ileocolic intussusception (left iliac fossa.)