On Thursday, November 21, 2013, the Washington University of Health and Science (Belize) in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, held its White Coat Ceremony at the Paradise Theater where 28 of their medical students made the transition from their preclinical studies to that of clinical health sciences.
The symbolical ceremony marked another step in the medical students’ studies towards their medical profession of choice. Dean of Students, Dr. Giovanni Solorzano, was first to address the gathering and he congratulated the medical students on all the great accomplishments in their studies they had attained to this point.
Members of the medical school’s Student Government Association (SGA) also had the opportunity to address the gathering, including the SGA Vice President Omar Solis-Sigala who gave a great speech on how he came to San Pedro, struggled to adapt to the medical school and how he managed to persevere and overcome his obstacles. His inspiring words to his fellow classmates called for them to push forward and embrace their surroundings.
President and CEO of Washington University of Health and Science, Dr. Malik J. Soudah, commented how pleased he was with his choice to open the medical school on the island and how the community and government has embraced them. There is even another branch already open in Belize City and he expects more great things to come for both the medical school and its students.
The short ceremony concluded with the symbolical reading of the Oath of Hippocrates by the WUHS Medical Students. Receiving their white coats from the medical school were students from around the world, including three Belizeans who are taking advantage of the schools convenient location in Belize to further their careers in medicine; they include:
Bridget Akoto-Adusei – MD4
Foued Aguilar – MD3
Hamza Ali – MD1
Yusuf Ali – MD4
Rasiki Alwis – MD 1
Erik Bachynsky – MD4
Natalia Fuller – MD4
Benjamin Scott Goldberg – MD4
Emily Harriage – MD3
Vjay Harripaulsing – MD1
Tara Hendrickson – MD1
Megan Holton – MD1
Lissandra Jimenez – MD3
Victoria Johnson – MD4
Daud Khan – MD3
Kristin Lovvorn – MD1
Miriam McCoy – MD2
Falen Miles – MD2
Ketsia V. Occident – MD4
Dorian Perez – MD1
Jerramesha Reed – MD4
Aisha Shoukat – MD3
Shemele Smith – MD4
Omar Solis-Sigala – MD1
Sara Thompson – MD5
David Wade – MD1
Gowsika Yogeswaran – MD4
Meriland Dillard – MD2
The Washington University of Health and Science was founded in San Pedro, Belize in 2012 and in just one short year a major expansion/relocation of the campus brought increased privacy and added convenience to the medical school. The grand opening was held on January 14, 2013. This expansion and update to the facility’s clinical components increased student convenience, privacy, safety and comfort, making the already highly teaching campus even better.
The new academic and research facility for the School of Medicine added clinical simulation, learning labs, classrooms, and research laboratories as well as student activity and administrative office space. Bringing together medical students, residents and alumni, the state-of-the-art training hub now houses a transformed curriculum that will set a new standard in medical education for the university here in San Pedro.
The WUHS (Belize) was among the first of a growing number of International medical schools to adopt a competency-based curriculum, one that provides students with excellent clinical training balanced by the development of strong interpersonal and professional skills. Visit their website at http://www.wuhs.org/
WUHS medical student Yusuf Ali receives his white coat from Dr. Giovanni Solorzano
WUHS medical student Foued Aguilar receives his white coat from Dr. Giovanni Solorzano
San Pedro Mayor, Daniel Guerrero, congratulates medical student Tara Hendrickson
WUHS Medical Students recite the Oath of Hippocrates
