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Saint James Student News
December 2015
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MD4 Samarth Patel Shares Advice for Current andFuture SJSM StudentsAnguilla MD4 Samarth Patel, who will be moving on to the 5th semester Advanced Introductionto Clinical Medicine in Chicago, IL starting January 2016, pens a letter about his positiveexperience in Basic Sciences.
My motivation to attend Saint James was hearing from a former student how he had justfinished the Basic Sciences program, and felt 100% comfortable in moving on to the next step.He told me the school prepares you very well across the board, and that was all I needed toknow. I have not taken the USMLE quite yet, but from taking the classes throughout mysemesters, I can certainly say the school prepares you well, and is fully invested in your futuresuccess.
Saint James prepares us for AICM, USMLE step 1, clinical rotations, residency and whereverour futures may take us in the field. Everything in the curriculum is integrated, especially whenyou take the CCBS course (Clinical Correlations of Basic Sciences). Dr. Scannell teaches thatclass; she is phenomenal! The class requires you to think back to your previous courses andlearn how to integrate that information altogether from a clinical perspective. That is definitelyone solid way to prepare for AICM and clinicals!
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Diabetes Awareness Daywith SJSMASMA Chapter& Diabetes Association ofSVGThe SJSMAMSA chapter in collaboration withthe Diabetic Association of St. Vincent jointlyorganized a free health service and diabeticawareness drive for the residents of downtownKingstown on Saturday, November 7th.
A large number of people took part in thediabetes screening. Students of SJSMscreened the students for diabetes bychecking blood sugar with glucometers. Theresults were noted on registers by organizersfrom a local church. Those with high bloodsugar were educated about associated risks,and were advised to go to the Health Clinic fora followup.
Men, women, and even teens were eager toknow and learn about diabetes and why this isso rampant among the islanders. Theylistened to the students' suggestions forhealthy diets and exercise, and were happy toreceive the educational pamphlets on lifestylemodifications for a healthier quality of life.Some even asked us when we would be back"for more checkups!"
Students Participate in theWorld Pediatric Project atSVGThe World Pediatric Project (WPP) is anorganization mandated to provide pro bonosurgical service for pediatric patients. Eachmonth, WPP sends brilliant surgeons and theirhighly trained teams from the U.S. to ourisland to volunteer their time and help thechildren on St. Vincent and the Grenadineswho have been flown in. The WPP, throughtheir generous consideration for our support,hosted a CME on November 13 that wasattended by SJSM students and those fromother universities.
The CME was able to draw the attendance ofmore than 60 medical students, a majoritybeing from SJSM. The high turnout of theCME shows the students' vast interest andeagerness to learn from the surgeons thatcome to St. Vincent on their mission. We havesecured an invitation from the WPP to theirfuture CMEs in order to have the opportunityto learn about pediatric pathology from topU.S. surgeons! MD2 and MD3 studentsSamantha, Helena Steffen, Ndidi, MehranMortazavi, Hari Nandakumar, Ahsan Jalil andPete Haftkowycz took the lead in the WPPdeliberations.
Doctors of Tomorrow (DOT) Club at St. Vincent* Fall 2015 EBoard pictured above: Public Affairs Officer Melissa Lindsay (MD4); Vice President Sumaiya
Sykes (MD4); President Larissa Jean (MD4); Secretary Aabha Shakya; Treasurer Peter Ng (MD4)
Our MissionPrepare today's students to be tomorrow's doctors and leaders.
Provide students the opportunity to build leadership through medical andcommunity stewardship.
Provide tomorrow’s doctors the best possible environment to create and buildconnections within the community through community service.
Semester Activities
Blood Pressure Clinic
DOT held a blood pressure clinic teaching the basics
of blood pressure readings on a patient. It was quite
an informative session, followed by a practical session
where students got the ability to practice, mentored by
upper classmates and faculty.
Electrocardiogram (EKG 101 Workshop)
DOT held an EKG clinic in collaboration with AMSA
about learning all aspects of the electrocardiogram
(12lead). The session was conducted by MD4
Bradley Starkey.
Spirit Week
Students participate in different themes and show their
school spirit! Those who show the most win gift
certificates. This semester’s themes included: St.
Vincent Flag Day, Breast Cancer Awareness Day,
Twin Day, Professional Day and Cultural Day.
Seminar: Clinical Empathy with Dr. Jain
In this intimate and highly beneficial seminar, students
got to learn about how to break bad news to a patient,
learning how to do it in an empathetic approach. This
is a valuable professional skill as it will be very
important for the USMLE Step 2 CS.
Welcome Spring 2016 EBoard!
From left to right: Vice President Simran Gill (MD2) President Krystel ElliottTheberge ( MD2) Treasurer James Renteria (MD2) Secretary Alison Foor (MD2)
Campus ExpansionContinues at SVGTo accommodate the faculty, staff, and largerstudent body, the St. Vincent campus isundergoing a serious makeover in preparation
Saint James CampusUpdatesAll Campuses
Recently we have received several
for the Spring 2016 semester. The followingimprovements have taken place this fall:
Overall square footage increasedfrom 10,300 to just over 17,000.
The SVG campus is now set toaccommodate 295 students.
We have 4 classrooms: 100, 95,55 and 45 student capacity.
We expanded the Histo Lab andPDI labs, with additional materialsto arrive by the end of this year.
We now have two studentlounges: one on the first floor andone on the third.
We now have 5 group studyrooms that can be reserved foradditional quiet study space.
We have expanded the washroomfacilities to accommodate themaximum capacity.
We have recently upgraded ourinternet service through Digicel toa dedicated fiber optic line withenough bandwidth to support themaximum capacity.
We expanded office space toaccommodate more faculty andsupport staff.
We are ecstatic to be able to combine Bonairewith SVG and have everyone be a part of thenew and improved SJSM experience!
inquiries from students aboutaccessing grades and financialsonline. As you know, earlier this yearschool decided to move its portal tothe MySJSM (Moodle) platform. Thisis where you can find recentannouncements and useful links.However, if you are looking toaccess your grades and to see yourfinancial ledger, you can go to TopSchool.
In the event you do not rememberyour login credentials, you cancontact our Helpdesk.
Anguilla
Veteran benefits are now acceptedat Anguilla! If you are a currentAnguilla student or would beinterested in taking advantage of thecampus VA program, contact ouradmissions advisors.
Starting Spring 2016 semester,certain courses will undergo anapproved test of using NBMEexam database to administerblock and final exams. The schoolis planning to administer theseexams to a few courses over thenext two semesters and thenevaluate whether the results andthe outcomes have improved, andif so, expand it to more courses.
The reasoning behind addingmore NBME services into ourprogram is to give students betterexposure to USMLE stylequestions in anticipation that thiswill result in a better integratedknowledge of Basic Sciences and
consequently a betterperformance on those exams inthe future.
Bonaire
Remember: Campus transitioninformation can all be found inMySJSM and the Student Portal.
All Bonaire students should nowhave some housing and landlordinformation for the transition to SVG.If you do not have the directory orneed help navigating, please [email protected].
There will be no immigrationdocuments required to transition tothe SVG campus. Easy peasy!
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
The food shack in front of thecampus is now open for business!Enjoy a delicious lunch inbetweenclasses for $5.
G.I.V.E. Completes First Semester as anOrganizationWe at G.I.V.E. have extended our efforts in the community by recently helping out with The St.Benedict Children’s Home in Georgetown. Over the past couple of months, we have madeseveral trips to the home run by the Corpus Christi Carmelites (sisters), which is home to 14children. During each trip, a group of 27 volunteers helped out with everything fromgroundskeeping to activities and crafts. The jubilant children greatly enjoyed the events andspread the joy to our members with their infectious laughter. From the abundant smiles to thewinter toy drive we plan for later this month, the events are positive and humbling reminders ofwhy we began the sojourn into medicine.
Further, we have the special opportunity to partner with the Special Olympics St. Vincent andthe Grenadines planning team. Being one of the world’s largest sport organizations, we havethe joy to interact with competing children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The NationalGames 2016 will take place on the island of St. Vincent on February 4th and 5th. We arehonored to be hosting the Healthy Athletes Program during the games. Our ecstatic cheeringand support at this year’s swimming competition only foreshadows a ring in our hearts for the
National Games.
We are committed to fostering active community involvement including numerous projects andvolunteer opportunities. Over the last semester we had several fundraising events aimed at notonly garnering financial support but also bringing the student body together in a fun andinteractive manner. Some of our events have included a Bollywood Movie Night, sports eventsthroughout the community, holiday events, and a Winter Toy Drive for the children of St.Benedict Children’s Home. We have benefited from the altruism of the students, faculty andstaff, which has allowed us to create sustainable volunteer opportunities within the localcommunity.
Radiology Grand RoundsEach month, Dr. Iliou posts a radiology case
Dream Comes True:Student Visit to SVG Clinic
that includes a short pertinent clinical historyalong with the radiological images. The casewill be posted for approximately 1 month.There will be roughly 10 cases postedthroughout the year. Any SJSM Anguilla BasicSciences student in good standing canparticipate by submitting one (1) diagnosis inthe answer box provided using a standardform.
Students may use any source at their disposal(except professors) to arrive at the diagnosis.A list of correct answers will be kept with Dr.Iliou. At the beginning of the following month,the answer will be provided for the previousmonth’s case plus a new case will be posted.
The person or persons who have the greatestnumber of correct diagnoses each year will beeligible for a reward which may include one ormore of the following:
1. Gift certificate
2. Radiology rotation spot in Key West
3. Name published in the SJSMnewsletter
4. Certificate from sponsoringinstitutions
by Dr. Amwarul Siddiqui, M.D. Associate Professor of Neuroscience &Psychiatry, Dean Admin, SJSM SVG Consultant Neurologist, Milton CatoMemorial Hospital Kingstown, SVG
I remember my first experience seeingpatients in the clinics in the 1970s, andobserving how the doctor performed theirduties in helping patients. It was a lifetimememory that I still hold today, as the field hasbecome more of an industry and less of thatgenuine oneonone experience.
Here, in St. Vincent, MD3 and MD4 studentsare attending the specialty neurology clinic inMilton Cato Memorial Hospital in Kingstownevery week. I'm able to see that impactful firstexperience of students with their patients, aswell as those inpatients admitted into thewards.
Students are very enthusiastic about thisopportunity, as it is a great learningexperience what with discussions on casescombined with that practical experience. Theyare entering a new world, the real medicalworld that they will be a part of for the rest oftheir lives.
A 20minute interview about our times at thehospital has aired several times on local TV,also supported by the Ministry of Health. In St.Vincent, people desperately need ourspecialty service. More importantly, they needour compassion, and it's an honor to see thecommunity as a whole benefit from theseefforts.
NBME Approval forSt. VincentOur St. Vincent campus was
recently visited by representatives
of the National Board of Medical
Examiners (NBME) to assess
whether the campus is ready to be
approved as an official NBME
testing center. We are glad to
announce that this is now the case
and that both SJSM campuses are
now officially testing centers for
NBME exams.
Within next few months, SJSM St.
Vincent will be equipped with a
brandnew testing lab with
computer stations where NBME
and other school exams are going
to be administered.
New Clinical SitesIn an effort to improve quality and
give students better exposure in
clinical sciences, the school has
entered into an official affiliation
agreement with the West
Suburban and West Lake
Hospitals in Illinois. Students will
be allowed to do all core and many
elective rotations in these
hospitals. Faculty in these
hospitals as well as the
administration are excited to have
SJSM students rotate in their
hospitals. Rotations are available
New FamilyPractice CoreClerkship ExamExam Committees of both
campuses have approved the
introduction of the clerkship exam
for Family Practice core clerkship.
Further, Exam Committee agreed
that instead of the internal exam,
Family Practice exam will be an
NBME exam to be taken at a
Prometric Center. Any students
starting this rotation after January
1, 2016 will be required to take this
exam upon completion of the
clerkship.
New ClinicalSoftwareSJSM is happy to announce a
launch of the new software to
streamline its operations and
academic oversight in Clinical
Sciences. The software is called
New Innovations and it is used by
many U.S. and Caribbean Medical
Schools as a tool to deliver
Syllabus, handle logbook content,
communicate with preceptors and
students and expedite grading.
Students starting core rotations on
or after January 1, 2016 will be
required to use this software for
logbook content as well as to
communicate with their preceptors
New PreQualification ExamProcessAs you already know, in order to
be approved for USMLE Step 1
exam each student has to pass a
prequalifying exam. Starting
January 1, this process is
changing. After January 1,
students will be allowed to take
and pass either our internal exam
that was administered thus far, or
an NBME comprehensive exam at
a Prometric Center. The cost to
student for both will be $75. Each
of these exams will be
administered every 5 weeks, on
the same week.
The NBME exam will be allowed to
be taken any day during the week
(to allow for scheduling at a
Prometric Center), while our
internal exam will continue to be
proctored only on Thursdays. First
week of exams will be the week of
January 19 (any day during this
week students will be allowed to
take NBME at a Prometric Center),
and January 21 as a set date for
an internal exam.
It is very important to note that the
signup process for either of these
exams is to be completed
online and that the deadline for
signing up is three weeks before
immediately in all core disciplines.
In addition to this, the school
continues to expand its affiliation
with hospitals and its preceptors in
Virginia. In days to come we
expect to see more slots available
with our Virginia partners, allowing
us to diversify the offerings and
experiences to our students.
and the school. More information
on this will be given in the next few
weeks.
AcademicCounselingSJSM is currently revising its
academic counseling procedures
which should result in better
understanding of student needs as
well as better assistance to those
students who are facing academic
difficulties. As such, over the next
few weeks we hope to announce a
new process of academic
counseling for both Basic Sciences
and Clinical Sciences. This will be
a part of the new Student Catalog
that is expected to be published in
early 2016.
the beginning of the exam week. In
the case of the January exams, the
signup deadline for either will be
noon on December 28, 2015.
EMAIL: [email protected] / CALL 800 542 1553
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