The Pulse November 2019 by The Pulse

I November 2019

The Pulse

NOVEMBER EDITION

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TABLE OF CONTENTS ARTICLE

PAGE

A Message from the Pulse Editor in Chief Ms. Amrika Rohan ....... 3

' A Message From Trinidad and Tobago Medical Students ~ Association (TTMSA) President, Mr. Viren Jaimungalsingh ............. 4

~ } TTMSA Timeline .................................................................................... 6 ~-~

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II The Trinidad and Tobago Medical Association (T&TMA) ................. 7 ~

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In My Blood - Dr Charles .................... .................................................. 9

standing Committees and TTMSA. ..................................................... 10

~ Five Years of Medical School - Dr Jonathon Edwards ...................... 12

Ventinary Students Association of Trinidad and Tobago (VSATT) ... 14

Q Doctor Doctor Relationship ................................................................. 15 :~ · Student Corner ..................................................................................... 17

YOUR PULSE TEAM Editor in Chief - Amrika Rohan Lead Journalist - Neval Ragoonath Graphic Artists - Nelisia Noel, Abigail Ramdass Public Relations Officer - Keneisha Achap Marketing Director - Nirvana Maharaj Art Director/Reporter - Saudah Ghany

Media Team - Ronalda Kassie, Rei Medford Acknowledgements - Rico Carmina, Naomi Hedley

TABLE OF CONTENTS ARTICLE

PAGE

l'f"i· Trinidad and Tobago Organisation of Pharmacy Students \_..:..otJ (TTO p S). ... .. ......... ......... .. ... .......................... ............... ......... ............. ..... 19

Dental Students' Association ofTrinidad and Tobago (DSATT) ..... 20

Vegan Tofu Balls Recipe ..................................................................... 21

-Js,"';;- rrinidad and Tobago Optometry Students' Association (TTOSA).. 23

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How Not to be a Bitter Med Student - Nkese Charles ................... 24 Rotaract Club of Mount Hope (RCOMH) Pro;ect H.O.P.E ............... 25 Adrian Seecharan on The Untraditional Digital Industry and Believing in Yourself...........................................................................

Student Q&A....................................................................................... 28

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~ Student Corner .................................................................................. 29 -£~

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Student Health Tips ........................,.................................................... 30

@ Crossword ............................................................................................ 31

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Medicine is the sort of field where there is necessity for introspection and retrospection. We will be placed in situations which are beyond our emotions and what matters most in that time is our patient. Difficult, is it not? To have that ability to compartmentalise your feelings, your opinions and prioritise your patients'- this person who you have ontf.known for a short period of time. ,..,~(el Currently medicine, much less the studeQtS of medicine, arela~ ady culturally charas e~!sed by arrogance, asser:t_ iveness and a,sense~ofl.s, . entitlement. 10 ',- _; _; _ • We are taught to be assertive1to break clown i barrie~s between us and our-patient~ ,ind ·;1:· somewhere along the way it became,corrupted with hatJghtiness and pomposity. Importantly, in our adjustments, reflection is necessary; It helps us become hyper analytical of ourselves and our actions so that we can make appropriate changes in future situations. It has been three years of medical school and each year, so far, has been a different experience. Each year I underwent some change. Sometimes with simple reflections I could not have determined whether the change was good or bad. It took me around 6 months with some deep introspection, and retrospection of my personality and actions, that I have concluded this change was good- a 3 year evolution if you will. Yes, unfortunately there were lows of l!;)Y ~ctions; conversely there were also highs. I have learnt to accept the low points and use them as lessons of what not to be and use the high points as guidance to what I should do- key_b_e_n_ e fi!s of retrospection. In my second and third year I was much more subjected to comments of peers and colleagues in my executive role. There.were many complements; there were also many complaints and criticisms directed towards me. I was swayed frgmopinion to opinion on how I must speak, what I must do and who I should not be friends with. With such influx of comments, confusion arose, I was balancing pleasing everyone and being true to my moral. So, I thought to myself, I can perpetuate the qualities that have influenced positive opinions; and negative comments I can analyse whether the problem was with me or with a person of that negative comment.

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"Being amedical student is hard, threading the rope of pride or ego. Truly, the only person who can identify and justify your actions is You." I have realised the cause of some of the criticism and have made attempts to fix the qualities in me, I have also realised that some critiques are completely unrelated to me, so I made peace with the comments and moved on. I have allowed myself to make appropriate and necessary adjustments which puts me in control of my emotions and gives me immunity to wrong opinions of my person- key benefits of introspection. Being a medical student is hard, threading the rope of pride or ego. Truly, the only person who can identify and justify your actions is You. You have been_"pl_9cec:l.j,ll,_such a field which demands not only skill but tlie 'ability to mould yourself to suit each person you encounter. I hope in this publication of The Pulse you are able to see some depth of the people you encounter daily, including me, and seethe diversity of your peers. I also hope this edition prompts you to engage in activities which will make you a holistic medical practitioner.

The Pulse

I November 2019

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By: Viren Jai~ 'ungalsingh, President 2019/2020~- TTMSA (MBBS 2022) In September 2017 I entered the Faculty of Medical Sciences with a few friends, a lie I told myself that "I was smart" and a little ambition. I had only one goal in mind - to become a Doctor. Perhaps the biggest and most difficult transitional step for me was understanding that university life was no longer the brotherhood days I had shared at my Secondary School. Everything here was real, like a smaller version of the real world -a microcosm of society. Youthful, gullible, swell headed and eager was I to pave my way in the Faculty. It was just a few weeks into the semester when I became the TTMSA's Academic Representative. I had no clue about the TTMSA or what it stood for. I was accustomed to leading various initiatives at school clubs and I guess I thought this was the same thing. Needless to say, although I was dedicated to performing the job of Academic Representative, I did not place enough importance in the TTMSA. I would arrive at meetings late, accept all discussions at face value and generally go with the flow. Consider at this point in time, being an Academic Representative was prestigious to me because I met with my lecturers very often, frequently calling or even sending a WhatsApp message. To me, I thought I was a celebrity. On Friday 23rd February 2018, after returning home from writing the GIT Spotter, I received an email stating that I was to leave for Egypt four days later to attend the 67th March Meeting of the International Federation of Medical Student Associations, IFMSA. I cannot explain to you the exhilaration I felt; It was at this moment that I realized that TTMSA meant serious business. TTMSA, at the same time, was strengthening relations with the IFMSA. TTMSA had become a candidate member which basically meant that we had a free trial of the IFMSA and would eventually be eligible to become a Full Member. I had attended many international conferences in the past but this one was not simulated. This was serious business

The Pulse

I November 2019

When I returned, I was suddenly motivated to change TTMSA. IFMSA placed all the medical student associations like us in one area of the globe to teach each other how to be a medical student association. IFMSA changed my way of thinking; IFMSA changed my life. To what end? I had to return to TTMSA to let that vision manifest itself. As fate would have it, over the coming months I became Vice President for Internal Affairs and subsequently President of the TTMSA. In that time, I spent the greater part of a four-month vacation setting up automated financial accounting for TTMSA, building a website for the Association and even learning the constitution inside out. So much had changed in TTMSA and our free trial was nearing its end. A fire was burning inside me as I always compared this Association to any other big association: The Medical Association, the Contractors' Association and even the Manufacturers' Association. As fate would have it, I lead a delegation to Taiwan in August 2019 to the 68th August Meeting of the IFMSA. In my 15 hour flight over the Pacific I told myself, if I had to return without a full membership status, then I would have just wasted a lot of money to fly to Taiwan. I presented the Trinidad and Tobago Medical Students' Association to an audience of over 80+ countries. Standing to deliver this presentation, I had to pause- it occurred to me, that this was real. For the first time in my history of being a student leader, I realized that this was by no means simulated. The Head of Delegation of every medical student Association present was looking at me, and about to vote on TTMSA's Membership in the IFMSA. The TTMSA, on August 6th, 2019, became a Full Member of the IFMSA, welcomed by a lusty round of applause from delegates around the gl obe. The TTMSA to me, is more than just voicing complaints of leaky ceilings and lecturers we do not like. To me, that represents 10% of the function of the TTMSA because a greater part of our role in the lives of medical students is to uplift students. The sum total of your knowledge, experiences, thoughts, skills, words and deeds equates to your capacity, and our role is to provide students with the motivation to advance their individual capacities. Imagine, that one day TTMSA will be the leading organization that increases the capacity of our medical students. TTMSA can be the Association to show you what medical student life is in another part of the world. Many would be surprised to know, that so many of the delegates who attend IFMSA meetings have such an active role in their Associations. Many do not even have high positions but place greater emphasis on the value of the Association and what it means to them.

As President of the TTMSA, my vision far supersedes what face value is shown of the TTMSA. Effecting such a change is a mindset change and not merely a few simple decisions. If I am able to influence such a change while being President, then by a domino effect there will be a change in the mentality of the doctors who will graduate from this faculty. This is no easy task and I have received my fair share of criticism from those opposed. But ladies and gentlemen this is 2019, and in such a rapidly changing world, we need to step up our game.

The Pulse

I November 2019

TT~~~;A Tin,eline of I: ,, e 11 t ~; f <> 1· t 11 e 'I e a 1· <> f

January 2019 Best delegation, best participants SCOPH and SCORP at the IFMSA AmRm19, Ecuador

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May 2019 The Pulse Revival Edition

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August 2019

TTMSA became a full member of the IFMSA

- Best delegation at the AmRm19: Ecuador - Launch of the TTMSA Website - Launch of the TTMSA's App - TTMSA's Full lFMSA Membership

TTMSA acquired its server ttmsa.org

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2019

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Septe111ber -;1\j;;;,,,,, 2019 Orientation week display TTMSA Launched OneTTMSACenter website TTMSA hosted AMBOSS

TTMSA hosted "A Spotter Tea" - to treat year two students after spotter Launch of the TTMSA APP "Free Medical Spanish" initiative Launch of the Book Drive

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Dec:en1ber 2019 Pa rang By the Sea

The Pulse

I November 2019

The Trinidad and Tobago Medical Association Dr. Muhammad 1.0. Rahman1

I Dr. Damion Basdeo2

1Consultant Gastroenterologist, North West Regional Health Authority Public Relations Officer, Trinidad and Tobago Medical Association 2House Officer Accident and Emergency, Eastern Regional Health Authority Chairperson, Trinidad and Tobago Medical Association East Branch

What is the Trinidad and Tobago Medical Association?

The Trinidad and Tobago Medical Association (T&TMA) is a professional body of medical physicians and physicians in training, in Trinidad and Tobago. T&TMA has the responsibi lity of providing fellowship for all our doctors both those practicing locally and abroad. This is supported by Act 24 of the constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, passed in 1974 which states that T&TMA aims to "promote the medical and al lied sciences and to maintain the honour and interest of the medical profession".

With this in mind, the association's objectives are reflected in the watchwords 'Teach, Treat, Mentor and Advocate': • Teach by updating the fraternity of medical professionals and educating the general society • Provide medical treatment and care to our society to the best of our ability via volunteer physician led clinics across the country • Mentor young medical professionals • Advocate on behalf on the medical fraternity, including as it relates to Governmental health policies, the Ministry of Health, Medical Board and many more.

What do we do? Trinidad and Tobago Medical Association Branches The T&TMA has five branches across the two islands, each representing a region of the countrySouth, Central, North, East and Tobago. Each branch hosts monthly educational meetings, wh ich have been approved by the American Academy of Continuing Medical Education (AACME). These meetings are free to members and enable health professionals to remain up to date with current practice, using local and international guidelines, while earning credits.

The Pulse

I November 2019

What do we do? Communit involvement and Outreach T&TMA is a strong advocate for health education and empowerment of the genera l society. As such, T&TMA is actively involved in numerous outreach projects, supporting communities after natural disasters, bringing awareness and care to remote areas. T&TMA's community and outreach work is entirely voluntary, fueled by our compassionate health professiona ls. Over the years, T&TMA's involvement in outreach projects has served multiple communities and we look forward to conti nuing this work.

Conferences The T&TMA also hosts their Annua l Medical Research Conference which allows loca l and international professiona ls to share their knowledge, expertise and experience on a variety of topics.

Caribbean Medical ournal and Newsletter In the advancement of our health system, research is also essential. T&TMA promotes th is through the publication of the Caribbea n Medical Journal (CMJ). The Caribbea n Med ical Journa l publ ishes articles on a wide range of topics inclusive of areas beyond medicine. The journal publishes from across the Caribbean islands and encourages international collaboration. The T&TMA also publishes a monthly newsletter that highlights the activities from each T&TMA branch. The newsletter also provides educational material for both professionals and patients.

Medical Protection Societ T&TMA also offers legal security through the Medical Protection Society of the United Kingdom (UK). This is part of the holistic approach in security of our respected professional duties.

Networkin At each T&TMA meeting and event, a wid e spectrum of professionals is in attendance, affording the opportunity to interact with colleagues and make new professional connections which can be beneficial in personal and professional development. We encourage all our doctors (and future doctors) to become active members of the Trinidad and Tobago Medical Association.

For further information, please visit the following websites: http:lltntmedical.com http:llwww.caribbeanmedicaljournal.org/

Inmy Boo by Neval Ragoonath '-The harder one concentrates on hilting the ball, the less well one hits it." The game teaches one to have '-confidence, consistency and a clear mind". l!Di m,~ - ~ ~ i # M - \ • : . . . . ~,,_P!'l,•lm '"J 5 , □ L\..VI, anO • \.,;.C.H.

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However, his drive didn't stop there. After recovery, he continued his studies at The Membership of the Royal the Royal College of Pathologists where he completed his specialty. His determination and resilience inspire us to know that we can always recover and move forward once there is the will to do so! On a lighter note, Dr. Charles enjoys outdoor activities, such as golfing. He shared that the most im-portant aspect of the game is to clear the mind from all thoughts and considerations and simply fo-cus on playing. "The harder one concentrates on hitting the ball, the less well one hits it." The game teaches one to have "confidence, consistency and a clear mind" as well as to be relaxed and com-posed, helping us to focus and perform better. His advice for the upcoming health care professionals was to recognize your responsibilities in serv-ing people and to do so by communicating well without appearing condescending. In closing, Dr. Charles' story is one filled with true inspiration. It radiates throughout his character as he is empathic, professional and brilliant,- traits that all healthcare providers should aim to em-body.

The Pulse

I November 2019

STANDING COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEAL TH

Standing Committee on

MEDICAL EDUCATIO

Leaders in Public Health

Our National Ollieer IFMSA VISION ,\mrika Rohan of \1BBS

Medical students attain an optimal professional and personal development to reach their full potential as future doctors for better healthcare worldwide.

IFMSA MISSION Our mission is to be the frame in which medical students worldwide contribute to the development of medical education. Students convene in SCOME to share and learn about medical education in order to improve it as well as benefit the most from it on a personal and professional basis.

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Hl·r \ ision for SC:O\IE "As a second year medical student I have seen a monotonous approach to the academics. Be it from the teaching of the content or its revision; it seems as if our students are constantly regurgitating information with no real connection to its application. I believe with the standing committee on Medical Education (SCOME) we can breach the gap between the distribution and application of the academic content."

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Michelle Obama

PUBLIC HEAL TH AND YOU

WHAT'S PUBLIC HEALTH?

The Standmg Committee on Public He alth allows medical students to make a differe nce in a wide array of

public health issues such as diabetes, vaccinations, cancer screening and mental he alth. Public health is a

proact ive approach to diseases rathe r than reactive.

HeJlth Promotion 01seasC' Prevent1or

Preventing exposure to risk factors for diseases o r even

Community Protf'ct1on

screen ing for early detection can be more e ffective than treating diseases at their late stages SCOPHeroes perfor m different act1viues to raise

awareness, e duc ate and tram general population on several heal th issues to p revent from com municable to noncommunicable d1seases, t o adopt healthy lifest y les

Activities coming Soon!

addressing risk factors but also caring about the env ironment.

Email Us: scome@ttmsa.org

Enquire to find out more about our upcoming screenrng

pro1ect. Bring your ideas forward. Have your voice

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Standing Committee c-f Research Exchange

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Research is essential for the development of medicine an d fortunately. SCORE provides medical students from around the world with the unique opportun i ty to participate in cl ini ca l or pre-clinical research, thus developing culturally sensitive studen t s who are skilled researche rs with the i ntent of shaping the world of medicine.

One TTMSACenter Full Member of the

Three upc1tmin9 SCOR£ Actir,ities : > Research Project with the theme ·climate change and the Role of the Physician· > SCORE Awareness Campaign > Resea rch Methodology Workshop

SCOME

song w h ic h rep resents thi s Sta ndin g Committ ee: Skinny Fabulous, Machel Montano, Bunji Garlin • Famalay. This SC is a family of medical students who support each other and are eager to assist in the development of medicine. 'We like ah army!' In te ri m nOR t Ria D unc an Interesting fact Ultimate goals include becoming a distinguished surgeon & living a life dedicated to the service of others. especially those in underserved areas.

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@ exchanges@ttmsa.org

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The Pulse

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I November 2019

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What is SCORA?

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HIV and AIDS This was a necessity as the stigma behind HIV was rampant The SCORAngels made rt their

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WELCOME TD THE TRINIDAD & TOBAGO MEDICAL STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION Calendar of Events

What is SCOPE? The Standing Committee on Professional Exchange is currently the largest student-run exchange program In the world with over 100 SCOPE Active NMOs and over 13000 medical students participating m exchanges yearly. SCOPE exchanges offer medical students worldwide the opportunity to experience and appreciate the differences in medicine in various healthcare systems and cultures across the globe.

Our Vision To guide student development through international experiences for lifelong global engagement and impact. TTMSA seeks to develop a variety of pre-cl1mcal and clinical programs, educational activities and training programs that provide every student with meaningful opportunities for academic and personal growth. We strive to ensure that the student exchange programme will be cost-effective, safe and accessible to all medical students.

National Exchange Officer• Incoming Melissa Jack National Exchange OfficerOutgoing Daniella Dwarica

Report an Issue or Lodge a Complaint

TTMSA BOOK DRIVE COLLECTIONS NOW OPEN 1 CLICK 1::lfRf

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Contact: exchanges@ttmsa.org

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r rhe Five Years at \1J Medical School '

By Dr. Jonatha~ E_dyvards, MBBS 2019, Vice President for External Affairs 2018/2019, President of TTMSA 2017/2018

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l ' .\ You'd always hear the higher years tell you to drop out of medical school. Often you might think it's a big joke however, I would argue that half of them are serious. That begs the question though, what led them to that opinion. Is not the destination worth the journey? It's almost impossible to have that personal realization when you are there in the moment, going through the emotions - trying to pass ,~ what seems to be never-ending phases of exams. Retrospection is a hell of a thing. It certainly is not an easy road but believe me, if I could somehow manage to get through, anyone can. Let's take it one year ...,.... at a time.

Year 1. Bright-eyed and full of optimism. You have made your loved ones proud; you are one step closer to your goal; you are going to be a doctor in the near future. You meander through the parallel corridors, trying to figure out what biochemistry has to do with anything and gander at those clinical year students decked out in their white coats and fitted shirt jacks. They're a representation of yourself in a few years: knowledgeable; diligent and humble. You somehow muster up the courage and approach one of them and ask them to detail their time spent in med school. The prouder ones may boast on how they have resuscitated many patients, some may relate to a lighter or fulfilling interaction with a patient. Pretty frequently, however, you'd find those who W_<?.uld implore you to rethink your life choices and choose a different career path. You laugh it off, take a pump in HAP and Carpe, watch some art in the Art Gala, strut around in your white coat on a skills day and of course, go tbro~gh)all'f he\ex~ms. Th~ spotters are unique, some might even be enjoyable to do, but the lectures that you did not read started to pile up because you thought this med thing was a breeze. The work is not necessarily difficult it is just a lot of information. One way or the other you manage to pass everything and it's on to the next year.

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Year 2 rolls around. By now you have found some people that you can call friends (or at least tolerate being around), you have become involved in the workings of Mt. Hope or concluded that you are not the "I wanna get involved with everything" type of person. You know which lecturers work for you and .. those which would only seek to repay your sleep debt if you enter the Amphitheater. You have sort of found your footing in terms of your study pattern or just completely lucl<ect 'out ,through your first year, who can know for sure? You are comfortable but not yet complacent. You see new year ones all full of hope and try your best to help them out in whatever way you can. However, you might pull out the ole' classic med student narrative and tell them to reconsider their career path. You wonder to yourself, was it really a joke or do I truly feel this way? You don't have the time to think in::between telling the world you are a med student, trying to learn all 18490 muscles, bones and joints·of the body and making sure you are the only one that sees yourself in that defeated mood when the workload piles up. ., " Aga1n, you ~~:~,~..:~~~ .! ~~,~~t~r~ugh, and you are in the infamous year 3.

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I November 2019

' â&#x20AC;˘ Year 3. Oh, Year.3. Can we even call it a year? Sure, you are finally going to learn ~ometh;rig Âˇtangi~e something that can maybe relate to the degree you signed up for (aside from 10B of course). But the ' amount of knowledge they expect you to cram down in a short time is hilarious. From day one you feel like you are already behind and every day you are trying to play catch up. You feel guilty for even sleeping because that was time that you could have been studying. Before, you flirted with the premise that you are slowly losing your sanity, but now you are questioning the very existence of such. It is time to write PDQ and you have more or less studied every single topic, they could not possibly bring anything you don't know in the exam. Needless to say, that one topic that "coulda neva come" dominates your PDQ paper and you are lucky to even pass your course work. The other PDQs are more or less the same. You start to become scarce from your family and friends and become sort of drone-like with your days with studying taking up the majority of your time. I would honestly recommend committing to a healthy coping mechanism for this year (gym, yoga, etc) because it can really get overwhelming at times. You finally understand why people have emphasized for you to drop out. After what seems like a bottomless trench of information, you write your exams and semester 2- if we can call it that- starts and finishes without you even knowing what happened. The worst part is finally over. On to the real fun now... Year 4. What you have been waiting for since you saw that acceptance letter, now you are the one wearing all white. You are the one that can say that you have touched a patient's life. On top of that, you finally get to find out what this "murmur" really sounds like. The first few rotations are excellent; everything starts to make sense for a while. Sure, you might encounter some seniors that either expect way too much from you or don't take you on at all, but there is a good handful that would really consolidate what you have read in the book. Really nothing too negative to say to be quite honest. Well except the whole staying on call till midnight thing and maybe struggling to see (and when you do get to see, comprehend) what's going on during an operation, but does that ever really get better? You lose touch with the world that is Mt. Hope. Forget that we even have a Fun day or For The Love of Charity auction. It gives you a gli mpse of your future life, a peek into the working world. Some might say studying is easier in this year, some might disagree. You will hear every UWI consultant preach that the wards are your libraries, the patients are the chapters in the book. Rotation after rotation you hear it and you start to believe it a little more. At the end of it all you will have that one elective, a chance to explore the specialty for your choice, so choose wisely. Finish that off and you enter final year. Year 5. All through year 4 you have been hearing that MBBS is right around the corner. Some of your seniors might ever so graciously point out how many months are left, some of your peers already know how many days. The year 5 specific rotations are either a hit or a miss to whether you care to absorb all \ the knowledge. The ones you have had in year 4 previously for some reason expect that you retained all that knowledge from a year ago. At this point, you have accepted what your GPA is and you really could not care to ace the last few rotations cause you have that daunting final to worry about. Those final few weeks leading up to that exam are intense, to say the least. I can honestly tell you, that I spent nearly 80 hours a week studying and still did not feel prepared. Those exams ... Well I won't spoil everything you will - find out for yourself one day. And just like that it's over. You are a doctor now, it's great. You will have your taxing days, you will have those outright horrible days but at the end of every day, you will know that you are actually having a pivotal, tangible impact on the life of another human being. You will be helping prolong the human connection between families and that is a priceless thing to witness. Would I do m edsctlbol over again? Sure as hell not! Did I feel like dropping out? Only once every few weeks. But was it worth it in the end? I can truly say that it was. Would I encourage people to study medicine? Only if the person is aware that they'd undergo an immeasurable amount of hardships for a potentially fulfilling life because, not going to lie here, it's not for everyone. The worst part of it all is that you would never know if it's the right fit for you until you are there on the frontlines. Doing after midnight shifts, 24 - hour calls, its physically and emotionally taxing. If your passion and drive are enough to overcome the burden which will certainly befall you, then you ~ill definitely gain something transcendent in the life of a doctor.

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If you have not heard or seen us around campus, we would like to take this opportunity to formally introduce ourselves. We are the Veterinary Students Association of Trinidad and Tobago aka VSATT. We are an elected group of veterinary students. Our aim is to support veterinary students as much as possible, in as many ways as possible; whether by providing food options, hosting activities or simply providing a comfortable and safe environment for our fellow students. While most of our activities are aimed at DVM students, ... ~, . they are open to the entire faculty and we encourage you to participate. We have a lot more events and activities in store for the future. ~"

For the calendar year 2019-2020, VSATT has already accomplished a lot such as our foo~ de-stressing activities and many more to come. ,. . :;,~ave also launched our very own virtual merchandise

VSATT cares deeply about the environment and with reference to the global issue, it's increasingly important for us to do our part in saving our planet. Pollution is a major factor in the degradation of waterways, landscaP-es and the death/destruction of flora and fauna . PlastiG materials which have entered into to the seas and ocea ns have had profoundly negative impacts on marine life. In an effort to reduce the amount of plastic consumed, VSATT has taken the initiative to now have available for sale water bottles made from 100% recyclable materials. They can be purchased from the VSATT store. By purchasing one of these bottles, not only are you receiving a premium quality water bottle, but you will also be helping to reduce, reuse and recycle plastics from the environment, in turn saving lives.

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We encourage you to support our future sales and activities and please note that "unlike our patients, we don't bite!" Can't wait to see you at our next event!

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,Dr© aryam Mohammed B. Sc (2010), M.B.B.S (2012) Dr Vishi Be harry B. Sc. (2009), M.B.B.S (2011 ), Dip. EM (2018)

1) How did you meet? Was it love at first sight?

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Maryam: It was not particularly a romantic first meeting but we definitely had a shared interest. We first met in Am phi Bat an MSCC (Medical Sciences Concerts for Charity} meeting in 2007. Vishi was the Assistant Treasurer of MSCC and spoke about reviving TTMSA. I went up to him after to express I also had that intention. I knew he felt flattered that th is beautiful young lady came to speak to him, little did he know I was unaware he was single, regardless... I had no interest in him .

The conversation continued into the foyer. To this day we remember that meeting, down to what we were each wearing. We exchanged numbers and soon became friends, then we revamped TTMSA in 2010, shortly after Vishi returned from his elective in India. Vishi: We were actually only close friends for most of medical school and only got romantically involved in Maryam's 5th year and my Internship. We understood each other pretty well so it wasn't too difficult to handle the relationship, school and work. We knew sometimes we had to give each other space to study or work and tried to be supportive. At that time Maryam would study in Mt Hope between midnight and 3am (best study time) and I would join her if my on call was quiet. We began our relationship in 2012 and got married in 2019.

2) Was it difficult to balance your executive roles and friendship/relationship? Vishi served as President and Maryam VP, then Vishi as Immediate Past President and Maryam as President ofTTMSA. They stayed on the executive till the end of medical school. It was tricky being on the executive and balancing schoolwork, but honestly it gave us a whole different experience from other students. We met with lecturers ,faculty board members and got to be part of faculty committees and conversations including those about the students' quarters at SFGH, the library's extended hours and reading room, the concrete tables and chairs and even the student activity centre that came later. Vishi represented TTMSA at the turning Ceremonies for the SFGH student quarters and the Student Activity Centre and still has the programme booklet from both ceremonies- he considers them significant achievements of our t ime in TTMSA. We coordinated many student events and fund raisers for student activities. There weren't as many student activities then, it was an amazing experience to put the events together and see students enj oy themselves during the stress of medical school. We made a lot of friends with executive members, many of whom we are still close to. Honestly, all the long hours working so closely together on TTMSA really founded our relationship. We had reached the point of completing each other's sentences in meetings. This made many persons assume we were in a relationship but that was not the case, although mutual feelings for each other did exist.

3) Career and marriage for most medical students is a daunting concept to think about, what advice do you have to give regarding this? A. Find a partner who really understands the demands of your job and is willing to stick by you in spite of it. There will be time when you will have to miss fami ly events be it birthdays, anniversaries or Old Year's Night lime, you will need someone who ~ understands that although you want to be there, your patients need you too. B. Make the time for your family- it's easy to get caught up in work and just sleep in spare t ime. Quality family time is worth it. C. Remember, your spouse's goals and ambitions are also important, plan your careers together so you can have each other's """ • backs when needed. Sometimes your goals may be priority and then sometimes theirs. Don't take them for granted. D. Balance- do things outside of work to keep yourself centred. Burnout at work starts to affect your relationships at home. We've only been married for a short time, the best advice we can give was advice we received in that, Marriage is a choice that you have to continue to make through the good times and the bad.

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4) Traditionally, women take the last names of their husband after marriage, what is your take on this? Especially since "Doct or'' before any graduate's last name is something worked for, for 5 years M: Every woman is different; some see it as a way of solidifying their relationship, others as joining a new family. I've decided at this stage I want to keep my last name. All my certificates have this name and it feels like part of my identity. I worked hard to see the "Dr" in front of Mohammed. I don't judge those who decided to change theirs, I'm just not there yet. However, I'm not unique! There is another Dr Maryam Mohammed! We've managed to completely confuse the operators at SFGH. V: If I were in Maryam's shoes, I wouldn't want to change my surname either. I don't need to make her feel like she is losing her identity. Many friends and relatives have referred to her as Mrs./ Dr. Maryam Beharry, probably with some expectation she will change her name, but this doesn't change our position. When we have kids, they will take Beharry. If we need to prove to authorities that we are married to each other we have the marriage certificate to show it.

Also, I beg to differ about her not being unique. I could not find anyone better suited to me. There is no other more unique than my wife Maryam.

5) Do you both enjoy being involved in the T&TMA now, and how does your relationship's dynamics assist you in your work and association's involvement? We love being part of T&TMA! It's difficult to maintain social circle when you're starting your medical career but T&TMA has helped us meet so many wonderful, fun and passionate doctors from different generation who also have this genuine love for medicine and wan to transform medical practice in T&T. We've also been part of significant conversations, we both believe in order to make any change you must participate. We know our T&TMA family was long awaiting our marriage- many have said that we complement each other so well. It may very well be that our ability to work with and support each other's ideas since TTMSA days is the foundation of our work and involvement in T&TMA now. This doesn't mean t hat we don't disagree on T&TMA matters however, at the end of the day in our marriage, we have found ways to put aside different opinions. Likewise, there are many things we agree on and of course that makes it much easier to complete a project.

6) What are goals you have in common for your career? Maryam is current ly pursuing a DM in Psychiatry and hopes to sub-specialize in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Vishi practices privately in Emergency Medicine and General Practice but has an interest in Health Adm inistration and Palliative Care, both of which he hopes to pursue further. Our subspecialties/interests are different but will still allow us to do what we are both passionate about i.e. doing good, helping people and contributing towards the development of medicine and improving our healthcare system in whatever small way we

7) What are some challenges you have faced whilst in medical school and based on your interaction with TTMSA are they still problems today? M: The major challenge was communication with students, faculty and amongst the students themselves. I felt there wasn't much emphasis on extracurricular activities which are so very important for mental health in Med School. It seems, there has been a huge improvement since then. I really hope that as the group has strengthened, the student body is more engaged. I know TTMSA is making huge strides to improve the social/extracurricular environment.

V: This one requires me to dig deep in memory. What I can say is that guidance was lacking due to limited resources and opportunities; one of things we wanted TTMSA to fix and tried to restore our affiliation with the IFMSA. At that time funding to update our membership was unavailable. We then put more emphasis on the facu lty's infrastructure and recreational activities. We are proud of the current TTMSA, for bringing fru ition to our visions when we first met each other 12 years ago. We would also like to see more transition from TTMSA to T&TMA members in the future, as we did- we will continue to support . TTMSA to achieve this.

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STUDENT.~ VISUAL ARTS

CDANEA •~• • • • by Kevin Ramjattan (MBBS 2023)

1. Dhuku Ephelides 2. Christina (freckles) 3. Yaya (afro) 4. Demi-Pointe 5. Kaine (Heterochromia, Freckles) 6. Musique De L'ame

STUDENT.~ VISUAL ARTS CDANEA •• • ••by Shekeela Stroude (MBBS 2023) \~

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1. Pink Lilly 2. Self portrait 3. Calla Lilies 4. Rose

TTOPS, THE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ORGANIZATION 01' PHARMACY STUDENTS "-aims to unite all pharmacy students whether past, current or future to set a foundation to follow a righteous, ethical and moral path."

The Trinidad and Tobago Organization of Pharmacy Students (TTOPS) is a non-profit representative body that aims to unite all pharmacy students whether past, current or future to set a foundation to follow a righteous, ethical and moral path. Our organisation seeks and fosters good relations between Pharmacy students, the larger body of The University of the West Indies (U.W.I.) Guild of Students and the various pharmacy organisations and societies both national and international. TTOPS's ideal mission is to encourage and promote the idea of improving and assisting the community via various initiatives and events our organisation hosts and supports. Key events we have planned for U.W.l.'s academic year of 2019/2020 include outreach programs to health clinics and hospitals on World Health Days such as World Cancer Day. This is done to bring awareness and disperse relevant health information to the general public. Also, our annual banquet is held to honor the graduating class with tokens and trophies highlighting their academic triumphs throughout their studies.

TTOPS's ideal mission is to encourage and promote the idea ofimproving and assisting the c:ommunityvia various initiatives and events our organisation hosts and supports.

From the right shows TTOPS treasurer, Sarvesh Maharaj, President, Matthew Lochan, Secretary, Vasudeva Sookram, PRO, Jaheel Phillips and Centre front TTOPS Assistant Secretary, Kiana Gajadhar patronizing the Rotaract club of Mount Hope boot h at Mount Hope's Guild celebrations.

Shows Pharmacy School's Football team having a heart to heart at half time,after the team was one down against Dentistry after the first touch of the match. Pharmacy went on to win this match by 4 goals to 2. Great come back guys!!

DSATT's Annual Charity Banquet & After Party 2019: 007 CASINO ROYALE In collaboration with the Audrey Jeffer's School for the Deaf. The dental Students' Association of Trinidad and Tobago (DSATT) hosted their biggest ever annual charity event this year with many guest artistes, speakers and of course unlimited food and drinks. 007 casino Royale was the theme for this year's banquet and judging from the black and white suits, dresses and decor the theme was successfully portrayed. The event kicked off with a formal ceremony recognizing the newly graduated dentists of UWl's Dental school as well as short speeches from well-known faces such as our beloved Deputy dean of the faculty of medical sciences Dr Kenneth Charles and the Minster of Health, the honorable Terrance Deyalsingh. Even Mr. Akash Samaroo took a night off from CNC 3 to be our Master of Ceremonies for the event and entertained everyone with his unique humor. Of course the fun didn't end there, with DSATT's highly anticipated after party starting right after the scrumptious dinner was served. Dental students rea lly know how to throw a party!

The current DSATT executive, from left to right standing: Estevan Olliviera (President), Alexa Diaz, Geetavali Persad, Kelsi Koylass, Alyna Ali,Shanya Narine, Cassandra Ali, Samiyah Suliman, Lavnya Ramsaran,Joshua Beraza Sitting : from left to right: Anir Chackan, Joshua Manickchand

"The dental Students' Association of Trinidad and Tobago (DSATT) hosted their biggest ever annual charity event this year, " Class of 2024

Class of 2023

Class of 2022

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Ale!Juut 1) Tofu preparation: Open the package of tofu and drain it completely. Layer the tofu with clean paper towels on a large p late and place another plate on top of the block. Place a heavy object on the plate e.g. a book (preferably Guyton and Hall's Medical Physiology), to press out excess liqu id. Let it press for at least one hour (up to 3 hours) 2) Oat flour preparation: Place 1 ½ cups of rolled oats into a food processor or high speed blender. Pu lse the oats until they are ground into a fine powder-l ike consistency. This process shou ld take approximately 1-2 minutes. Measure out 1 cup of oat flour for t he recipe. The unused portion can be stored in an airtight container. 3) Preheat oven to 350 degrees for 10 minutes. 4) Using you r hands, cr umble the tofu in a large bowl. Add the oat flour, salt, paprika, chi li powder and black pepper. 5) Ro ll t he tofu into approximately 2 inch sized balls. 6) Coat the t ofu balls in b read crumbs. 7) Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes until the outside becomes golden brown. 8) In a saute pan, add olive oil and gar lic and stir for 30 seconds on medium heat 9) Add ket chup, sweet and sou r sauce, sesame oil and 3 tbsp of water to the pa n and stir. 1O) Add tofu balls and stir to coat t hem with the sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes and serve.

1) It is import ant t o use the ext ra firm variety of tofu as it holds its shape well and the texture is well suited t o t his recipe over other varieties. 2) Pressing t he tof u is a very important step that must not be skipped, as it ensures the t ext ure is perfect and the balls hold their shape. Since pressing takes a long time, it can be done earlier in t he day so the block will be ready to use lat er. 3) The oat f lour acts as a binder to help the tofu balls hold their shape, how ever, it can be omitted if the balls are rolled into a smaller size. 4) Seasonings can be adjusted to your personal taste p nee.

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I follow a plant-based lifestyle as an extension of my compassion towards animals and the environment. I have a passion for creating delicious veggie recipes and my mission is to show individuals that plant food is not boring or limited. I wish to share with you a simple yet satisfying recipe that will hopefully inspire you to embrace more plant-based foods in your diet without feeling the least bit deprived.

UWI OPTOMETRY ATTHE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL AGAIN by Kenrick Voison President of TTOSA ~

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ORLANDO 3rd World Congress of Optometry

"IT HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS HONORAND PRIVILEGE TO REPRESENT UWI OPTOMETRY ON A GLOBAL SCALE SUCH AS THIS."

"It has been a tremendous honor and privilege to represent UWI Optometry on a global scale such as this." My name is Kenrick Voison, I am the President of the Trinidad and Tobago Optometry Students' Association, a Final Year Optometry Student and previous ERASMUS+ Student. From the 23rd to the 27th of October, I had the opportunity to attend Academy 2019 Orlando and 3rd World Congress of Optometry, which is one of the largest gatherings of Optometrist from all over the world. In attendance, there were many international optometry students, top researchers within the optometric field and many of the 'eye care giants,' in terms of eye care products and technology. At this convention, besides networking, socializing and attending various CE lectures, I presented a scientific paper entitled "Quantitative Measurement of Perceptual Distortion in Keratoconus." that I co-investigate along with Mr. Niall Farnon, Dr. Mahesh Joshi, Dr. Marianne Coleman and Dr. Peter Bex. In layman terms, we are measuring the distortion experienced by individuals with Keratoconus and seeking various applications it could have to clinical optometry. In the future, we hope to possibly detect early Keratoconus as well as monitor its progression.

The Pulse

I November 2019

■iP.S

oa Bow NOT to be a Bitter

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For most of us, our experience of med school is not at all what we thought it would be before we got here. The heavy workload and demanding schedule are initially shocking and the picture from the outside is a lot more glamorous than the reality. Med school is intense, and it can literally make you forget why you even wanted to be here in the first place. It's tough ... but it's worth it. We must dig deep ever-so-often to rediscover our "why". Why did I choose medicine? (Why did I decide to become a doctor?). Our "why'' sustains us through the difficult times when we contemplate doubles vending as an alternative career. It reminds us of the reason we are fighting to become the best doctors we can be, everyday. Our "why" gives us the strength and motivation to keep going when we reallyyy don't want to. Take time to write down your "why".

There is an underlying aura of bitterness and combativeness among some med students that is not only toxic, but potentially destructive. Until this cutthroat mentality changes, it makes it nearly impossible for you (and those around you) to actually enjoy the 5 years of medical school we share together. There is no need to compare yourself to anyone else in your class. We all have unique journeys and abilities that make us different and excel in different ways. Medicine is not about clawing your way to the top at the expense of others. It's about becoming the type of doctor your future patients deserve. One who is knowledgeable, skilful, and compassionate. Yes, always aim high. But don't be a snake. Remember being a good doctor is not about grades. It's about perseverance, character, and the ability to treat persons with humility and care; starting with your colleagues. The day you find peace in yourself and focus your attention on becoming a better doctor, is the day you will truly be free of all the unnecessary stress and anxiety of competition.

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Don't compare yourself to · ~(Jt,h e·rs.

The Pulse

I November 2019

eciding ive us and a o reality. _y___,,,li-:-i fe•, -a few of the many obstacl d 'to overcome; r in~t..,........,._.•o"'l<•or.f,-m eriences. t,.until one day I ears old, I started eating healthier, or at least so I t . altogether. I will never forget the day I had to be taken to the"fiospita l where ange forever. I can still remember how the tear~ ~amed•down my face; I diagnosed with an eating disorder and my first NG tube was inserted; it t confusing times of . . ~ rs.were lost to this demise. A few years later I was diagnosed with depression. tnere were months ~ here I barely spoke, ~barely looked at anyone, I was suffering in silence, trapped within the chains of life, fighting ijustto survive. My life became defined by hospital and health centre visits, I did 'riot have t he '.opportunity to be a child, to be carefree, to be happy- I did not know ~hat _thisfeej ~g_ d . happiness was. Soon, I found a way to cope with it all- self-harm. This became my only peace • :.until my body became decorated with ... layered with scars, scars which remind me of e·w y . ban_ ·_ I~.. ~ ery obstacle I have overcome. My self- arm led to multiple suicide'J attem p~ ~ es, Doctors said I would die, out somehow I survived and they didn't1 know l i~~, or,why. . I would never forget the day those who were supp.9seo to love and care for me turneo their backs on me; being abandoned the time I needed them the most. To liave no one truly love me, how hard could it be to love me? To be alone in this unforgiving life. The truth is,that you can't make anyone care for you or even love even if t hat's ~hat they .?Se su1:n2osed to do. This is one of the hardest things I have ever hac,J to accept. As I grew older I was desperate to find myself, I did not know who I was. I was searching for the only thing I ever wanted in this life- to be truly loved. Eventually I found people who I thought were my friends, who I thought cared about me. Instead they drugged and abused me. Perpetual moments of people taking from me what wasn't theirs to take; over and over and over again. My self-worth became negligible, I began to believe that there was something wrong with me, and that's why people kept hurting me. I could never trust anyone. And then almost four years ago my struggle with trauma and PTSD began. A man attempted to break into my home with the sole intention to hurt me; he would stop at nothing to take from me, what was not his to take but I would not let him. I was left with 2 stab wounds;I hours later I finally awoke to the reality of where I was and what had happened. I was alone, just like I always was. There was no one to tell me I would be okay, there was no one to comfort me; there never was. A year later this man refused to face persecution, instead decided to threaten me. Two ,men, both armed came to my home to take the life of the only person who means the world to me, and mine. My life would again change, forever. I was forced to flee the on ly place that ever felt like home. There is never any clear cut reason as to why dying would seem to be the only way, to someone, to end their pain and suffering. In that moment there seems to be no end to the pain, and all we want is for the pain to stop. But there is an end to suffering, there is an end to pain if you just hold on a little longer. There are so many people who are suffering in silence, desperate for someone, anyone to reach out to them, desperate for someone to care. We are so caught up in our own lives that we forget those around us; I plead with you, start the conversation, every life matters. I may not know who you are, but I want you to know that I do care for you; I want you to know that you are loved, you can make it, pain ends and you are not alone. Please, just hold on.

you,

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The Pulse

I November 2019

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lephone: 800lf you are a U.W.I Student, you can call " CAPS (Student Counselling and Psychological Services) Telephone: 662-2002 ext 82491

Rotaract~.,.. Club of Mt Hope

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The Pulse

I November 2019

1 ' 9""'

~drian Seecharan aka Drii on

The Untraditional Digital Industry and Believing in Yourself ._1stumbled across Adrian Seecharan who was proudly on a unique path and oozed of confidence in himself and his art. I decided to find out more about this Adrian who made quirky lnstagram stories, epic dance videos and brilliant graphic designs.

Drii Concepts' soon after became an external business affiliate of The Pulse. Tuning into Drii we found that he currently runs a local YouTube channel, with 3.26K subscribers.

Wliat prompts a young 22-year-old to break the pattern of traditional schooling and trek onto tliis new roaa of the digital industry? Couva West secondary being his alma mater, Adrian was amused by C~ mistry, . following w hich he set out to the University of Trinidad and Tobago and attempted Chemi which he, hen realise•~~.,_....._sics' , and left for Trinizuela Technical and Vocation realised he had an· rawing; leading to his skills in graphic design. Adrian has accomR advertisements sue and many other outs,,, . Adrian expressed that in ttie digit without selfish bias- somethingf

his independent path; he has made it to popul Chicken (KFC), performed on the Chutney S

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,#I try it is difficult to find people who are truly i struggled with in the beginning of his own c

Adrian currently collaborates with 'Devon X Scott' who has thought him new skills in his journey ana has displayed genuine support to new persons coming onto the path of social media. More than just a collaoorator 'Devon X Scott' has become a close friend of Adrian, making his work much more enjoyable. Asking Adrian to give ,advice to people of his OIJ'.'.n age seemed ba.fflirJg to him , as he said, "I neve~ tlioJJght someone 11,yvould asl< me that,' he continuea, "ifliinl< oefore you take l'advice.' He further explainea tliat even though persons are older or seem to have more experience, sometimes their guidance may not be properly suited for you.

-·-·

Adrian lastly pointed out that a traditional educ necessarily for everyone; Yes, it started out e

difficult for him and "still is rell hard for me," yo • • believe in yourself and take opportunities that what you love every day.

Follow him on IG @officialdrii Subscribe https://www.youtube.com/user/adrianseectiar.a n

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Interview ana article by Amril<a Ronan

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Ravi Maharaj, MBBS 2022, ''To be honest I would just give my mother, I too financia lly incompetent to manage all that money"

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SEG<MENT! If you had 1,000,000 TTD$

Idris Segulam, MBBS 2024, "Pay off med school tuition and use the leftover to buy one beer."

w- a w-ou you spend it on?

Nikkiel Rennie, MBBS 2024, "A benz soi wouldn't have to take the shuttle and i could pick up smallies on my commute"

Nirvana Dipnarine, MBBS 2024, "Build an apartment complex for uwi children and vybez with the rent money."

Andrea Francis, MBBS 2024, "I'd purchase my first vehicle and put the rest in a growth fund until I'm ready to build a house."

Kadeem ali MBBS 2023, "I'd pay off my credit card debt, and use the last 60 dollars for a Starbucks"

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See what our young medical professionals have to say!

The Pulse

I November 2019

STUDENT •~ CORNEA British vs American

MEME MACHINE Rajiv Singh @singhlingaling Tutor: so who would like to be leader for this pbl?

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10 Student Health Tips ~ - -

Drink water. Drinking enough water can help boost your concentration. Make sure to keep hyd rated as you go through your day by bringing water with you.

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Take vitamins. If you feel like you aren't getting the nutrition you need from your diet, don't hesitate to supplement it with some multi-vitamins to stay healthy and illness free. Take advantage of open spaces. At our facu lty we are equipped w ith large grassy fields and a huge com plex. Take advantage of t hese spaces to t ake hikes, play frisbee/cricket/footba ll or just walk around.

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Take a nap. If you have the time during the day, a short nap can do wonders for your energy levels. Just make sure not to nap too close to bedtime or for too long. Don't work in bed. Worki ng in bed can make gett ing to sleep harder. Keep your work space sepa rate from your sleep space to keep insomnia at bay.

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Wash your hands. Studies have shown that simple hand washing can help prevent a large 0 ❖• number of illnesses. So wash your hands, especially any time you'll be touching your nose, ❖rn mouth or eyes or if you've been around others who are sick. 0

Spend time with friends. There are few thi ngs that can cheer you up like being around the people you like most. Eat dinner with friends or just hang out and watch TV or take a wa lk to get away from the stress of medical school. Don't let yourself get run down. With so much to do, it's easy to get run down. If you feel yourself getting stretched too thin, take a step back and evaluate everything you've got going on to determine what's really important. Don't drink and drive. If you drink, make sure not to get behind the wheel. Call a taxi or get a sober friend to take you home.

Get involved in the faculty. Joining clubs and social groups on campus can help you to meet new friends and keep you from feeling lonely or isolated, - the TTMSA always has something new for you to join in on!

(868) 718 -3231

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The Pulse

I November 2019

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