Local News

An Exceptional Summer

Thursday 30th July, 2009:   The Med/Vet Summer Academy hosted annually by St. George’s University was a hit for both high schoolers and college students who participated in the ten-day program, which ran from June 22 – July 1 and June 8 – 17, 2009 respectively.

Judged a “great success” by Director Heather Brathwaite, participants spent five days steeped in intense medical and veterinary training geared at giving the students a taste of the medical field. These academic activities included medical herbs, gastrointestinal, cardiopulmonary and reproduction lectures; clinical case research; visits to the farm and Small Animal Hospital; and training in suturing and CPR. The other five days provided opportunity for a variety of leisure activities including a trip to Annandale Waterfall, a rainforest hike, a scavenger hunt, and scuba diving, snorkelling and dolphin watching excursions.

16 year old Michael Turner from Virginia Beach who hopes to be a surgeon or an educator for future doctors had rave reviews for the Med/Vet Summer Academy.

“Everything was so much better than I thought it would be. Anyone who wants to go into medicine should DEFINITELY come to the Academy. There is so much opportunity here.”

Also participating in this year’s St. George’s University Med/Vet Summer Academy was the youngest participant to ever attend – 11 year old Courtney Oliver from Olympia, Washington. Courtney accepted the invitation to attend the Summer Academy by an SGU representative whom she met at the Central Veterinary Conference (CVC) in Kansas City where she was one of the speakers.

The bright, bouncy and rather gifted homeschooler is already a certified Veterinary Assistant, a qualification she began pursuing at the tender age of 9 and acquired in a mere eight months. Her portfolio also includes making a presentation at AVMA’s FutureVet Camp, being featured in DVM magazine, guest appearance on the Ellen Show and her own website – courtneyscritters.com.  Already receiving numerous grants and scholarships towards her education, Courtney is of the opinion “They should keep camp just the way it is”.

Topping this Med/Vet Summer Academy of exception are 16 year old Callista Calliste from L’Esterre and 15 year old Janel Thomas from Hillsborough – the first two students from Carriacou to be a part of the camp.  

Callista, whose hobbies are reading and drawing, aspires to become a paediatrician and part-time teacher since she loves working with children. She described camp as a “wonderful experience…I wouldn’t change anything.”

Janel, whose favourite pastime is listening to music, hopes to become an OB/GYN. She deemed the Summer Academy program very interesting and enlightening and says her

“experience has opened her eyes to the wonderful opportunities available at the St. George’s University. I am now considering enrolling… and will certainly recommend the University and Academy to her friends.”

The organisation responsible for making the girls’ participation in the 2009 Summer Academy possible is the Ashby Windward Foundation (AWF) founded by its Chair Dr. Cristofer Ashby “to improve the medical healthcare system in Carriacou and Petite Martinique.” The organisation’s mission is to “serve those individuals without the means to pay for necessary medical treatment”.

By assisting with medical procedures for the benefit of the people of Carriacou and Petite Martinique and granting scholarships for persons interested in the medical field who will return and serve in the islands.

As is the case with the numerous other participants of this years’ Med/Vet Summer Academy Callista, Janel and Michael took their first critical step towards fulfilling their dreams this summer which has led to the serious consideration of enrolling at St. George’s University after high school.  Other’s like Courtney have been afforded a once in a lifetime opportunity and experience – truly an exceptional 10 days filled with exceptional people and experiences.

St. George’s University congratulates the Med/Vet Summer Academy administration and all who played a part in making the camp a success for a job very well done.

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