THE AUA CAMPUS UPDATE
DECEMBER 2018
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Message from the Provost To our students; Thank you for your commitment to your education. Thank you for demanding excellence of us. Thank you for your patience as we continually try to improve the educational programs we offer. Thank you for your loyalty to our College.
CONTENTS BY
Message from the Provost .........................1 From the Editor......................................... 2
When dealing with the complexities of a medical school, it is easy to get discouraged by the challenges we face. I am reminded though that the vast majority of our students, faculty and staff are working hard at their jobs in a professional way. I want to thank all of you for that. When I get discouraged, I often watch the video of the most recent graduation ceremony. Watching the 300 or so students that graduate as new physicians each year, most of whom are moving on to residency training is an awesome sight that inspires all of us to work harder and smarter for the coming year.
2018 Highlights ..........................................3 The Fall 2018 White Coat Ceremony........ 10 Antigua and Barbuda National Dress Day11 AUA Contributes to Launch of the 2018 Christmas Kettle ...................................... 12 Our Success Stories; Dr. Eddie Copelin II . 13 Our Success Stories; Dr. Kevin Brown ..... 14 Outstanding Students Honored .............. 15 Fall 2018 Research Day ............................ 16 AUA Healthy Perspectives ....................... 17
Colleagues, Co-workers, Students, I am in the US for Thanksgiving for the first time in the last 4 years and I am reminded that it is not a holiday in Antigua. I want to express a few thoughts of gratitude for everyone who is a part our institution. Some general comments first; a very wise man once told me that gratitude is an action word. He said, if you want to know how grateful you are, look at what you have done for others lately. That’s the measure of true gratitude. When I take that inventory, I always seem to fall short of where I think I should be.
AUA is one school separated by a large body of water, and the length and breadth of an entire nation. We work on a campus in Antigua, and in offices in NYC, as well as in over 40 hospitals across the United States. Despite this we are joined together by a mission statement that we are working together to achieve. We are successfully achieving that mission statement one medical student to physician at a time. Each of you has a critical role in that success. Thanks again for everything you do. That wise man I spoke of earlier always finished our discussion about gratitude with this charge, which I now share with you. Go out and do something nice for someone, AND DON’T GET CAUGHT! Happy holidays everyone.
To the most important persons in our organization. The people without whom we cannot run this institution. The Antigua local staff, and the NY office staff; Thank you for everything you do. Your hard work and professionalism allow us to have a place to work, and make it possible for us to do our jobs. To our faculty in Antigua, and across the United States; Thank you for your commitment to our students and each other. Thank you for the hard work of teaching and assessing our students, and doing the endless paperwork that such an endeavor requires. I have never worked with a faculty who are more committed to the development of men and women into competent, caring physicians. You have my respect and admiration.
Robert Mallin, MD University Provost Phone: (212) 661-8899 ext. 273 rmallin@auamed.org American University of Antigua College of Medicine One Battery Park Plaza 33rd Floor New York, New York 10004 www.auamed.org
Recent Student Club Activities ................ 18 Faculty Publications................................. 19 Student Publications .............................. 20 Coach’s Classic American Football Camp 21 Community Outreach Update ................ 22 What’s on in Antigua .............................. 24 The AUA Way ...........................................25 Fashion Insider ........................................ 26 A Farewell Message from Ms. Tulip ......... 27
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From the Editor medical assistance and voluntary service whenever necessary. (See page 26 for recent disbursements). In some instances, community entities are provided with equipment and furniture as well as manpower to set up and coordinate huge events. Kudos to the staff members who work with our community partners sometimes on weekends, way before the sun is up or long after the end of the regular work day. I salute you for your dedication and hard work.
Hello again! As usual I am excited to share another issue of the Campus Update with you. Fist, I’d like to express my sincere appreciation for the contributors who despite their other more important duties always honor their commitment to submit articles. Thank you! Without your worthwhile contributions this newsletter would be a collection of my (I admit) sometimes skewed views. It is my hope that those of you who are aspiring writers would take it upon yourselves to submit intellectually stimulating articles which would be of interest to the AUA community. Since this is the final issue of the year, I have attempted to create a photographic chronicle of the more noteworthy events that occurred during the year. Though it is impossible to recount every moment, I trust that my efforts would be appreciated. Unfortunately, some have requested that their photos not be published which limits the options quite a bit. Since they asked nicely, I will humor them this once but in the future I would advise them to avoid the camera at all cost! I myself cannot boast of being very talented when it comes to photography but if I capture an image that is pleasing to the eye I will most naturally want everyone else to see and enjoy it as much as I do. Throughout its existence, AUA has always been a model corporate citizen and this year has been no different. During this quarter, AUA has continued to support the Antiguan community by giving monetary donations, medical and other supplies and providing
On occasion, community events are hosted on campus thereby allowing visitors a rare look inside our state of the art facility. Though we may have grown oblivious to the beauty of our surroundings, I never tire of hearing visitors comment on how lovely the campus grounds are or how well kept the buildings are. We have our Grounds, Maintenance and Housekeeping staff to thank for keeping our surroundings beautiful. Please join me in sending them a big shout out for the wonderful job they do. As the year comes to a close we invariably begin to look toward the coming year in anticipation of new beginnings, new experiences, new opportunities, and new relationships we hope to forge. These are all components of our natural evolution and regrettably, sometimes in order to evolve it becomes necessary to leave some relationships that no longer serve us behind. It can be difficult for those left behind but in the words of Mr. Tom Jones ‘Memories don’t leave like people do’. I say all this to say that regrettably, our beloved Ms. Tulip will be retiring at the end of the year. Ms. Tulip Cools-Lartigue has served in a variety of capacities during her long career with AUA. Although some have known her only as the front desk receptionist, it is important to note that she was among the core campus staff at AUA’s inception and has witnessed this institution’s rapid growth from an idea into the prestigious medical school it is today. I’m more than a bit sad that Ms. Tulip is leaving us. To my mind Ms. T is a permanent and necessary fixture; always cheerful, smiling and pleasant, always kind and helpful and always doling out lavish compliments to everyone. Please join me in wishing Ms. Tulip a happy and peaceful retirement filled with a lifetime of blissful sunrises, beautiful sunsets and every conceivable thing that brings her joy. The cover page pays tribute to this much loved founding staff member. See page 27 for a personal message from Ms. Tulip.
So tis the season of goodwill! Of course not everyone celebrates Christmas but there comes a time when we should all do something to warm someone else’s heart and I think Christmas is as good a time as any. Modern technology has succeeded in making giving back very easy and convenient to cross off your to-do list. It’s possible to make a charitable donation by simply swiping your credit card and voila! you’ve done your duty but don’t you think that this in itself makes it a bit too impersonal and somehow nullifies the good deed? I quite enjoy that thrill of satisfaction I get from doing a good turn and the little gasp of pleasure from the receiver when I present a giftwrapped token - I won’t want it any other way. If you are still contemplating how best to do your bit here is an idea; if you’re a good cook (or know how to follow a good recipe) you can prepare a hot meal for a family in need and invite them over. Another great way to give back is to spend some quality time with an elderly person, read their favorite book aloud or maybe just listen. In a lot of cases the physical needs of the elderly are attended to but nobody really listens to those stories they keep telling over and over again. If none of those suggestions grabbed you, then how about picking up a toy for the Club Peds toy drive?
Whatever you do, do it with sincerity and genuine kindness and enjoy that little thrill of satisfaction that comes with doing a good deed. Have a very blessed and peaceful Christmas and may the new year greet you with promises of a bright and happy future.
Sharon Brusch Editor
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2018 Highlights JANUARY The AUA EMTC hosts the first Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PTLSC) training programme in the OECS
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FEBRUARY The 6th Edition of the AUA RohrMan
MARCH AUA joins the #LightItUpGreen Glaucoma Awareness Campaign
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APRIL The AUA & Integrated Health Outreach (IHO) first Pediatric Health Fair at the Villa Primary School
MAY The University Park Health Centre’s Cinco De Mayo 5k fundraiser for the CARE Project
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JUNE World CPR Awareness Day
JULY Launch of The AUA Graduate Teaching Fellowship Program
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AUGUST The student arrivals Meet & Greet team at Mandalay
SEPTEMBER The Launch of the Sickle Cell Book Project
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OCTOBER The Wellness Committee’s #WearItPink Day
NOVEMBER The EMIG Blood Drive
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DECEMBER The Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Launch
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The Fall 2018 White Coat Ceremony
Dr. Leslie Walwyn looks on as keynote speaker Dr. Paul R. G. Cunningham does the honors for Med 1 student Samuel Morris
The Fall 2018 White Coat ceremony took place on Friday September 28th. The keynote speaker, Dr. Paul R. G. Cunningham who is outgoing Dean and Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, spoke eloquently about clarity of purpose and motivation. Clarity of purpose he explained, is the best way to achieve our ultimate life goals. In defining the motivation required to practice medicine, Dr. Cunningham noted that “Waking up from sleep to a 24-hour in-house trauma call to manage a patient at 3am requires motivation. The motivation is in no way related to my paycheck. There are more lucrative and easier ways to make a living.” In concluding his address, Dr. Cunningham reminded the students that “The White Coat Ceremony is a tradition that presents an opportunity for the conscious and willing
acceptance of the obligations that are the collateral of our professional responsibly. In these commitments are the embedded truths and obligations that lead to the professional freedoms and autonomy that create resilience.” He added that “The ultimate outcome of this rite of passage is that we are bound together within what I define as The conversation. One set of truths, in concept, one set of beliefs and values in practice.” Dr. Cunningham is a proponent of utilizing innovations in computer technologies for the benefit of patient care with special interest in the mentoring and career development of minority students in all specialties.
l-r Dr. Roy Russ, Dr. James Rice, Dr. P. G. Cunningham and Dr. Hani Morcos during the White Coat procession
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Antigua and Barbuda National Dress Day
l-r Fazal Surijpaul AKA Bashir, Nichola Cedric-Brown, Stanley Jean Louis, Wendy Roberts, Lisa Francis, Kelia Constant and Roxanne Martin
A Campus-wide Antiguan national dress day in celebration of Antigua & Barbuda’s Independence was hosted by the AUA Social Committee on Tuesday October 30th. Staff,faculty and a handful of students gathered for a short program which included poetry reading by Mrs. Janet Murphy. A parade of beautiful outfits made of colourful madras followed by an absolute feast of traditional Antiguan food and drink made for a fun occasion which was enjoyed by all. Kudos to the Social Committee for organizing and hosting this event which will hopefully become an annual AUA tradition.
l-r Dr. Trevor Ngorosha, Dr. Jovita Herrera and Marlon Destin
A display of artifacts in the front lobby
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AUA Contributes to Launch of the 2018 Christmas Kettle Each year the Salvation Army’s National Advisory Board invites corporate Antigua to support the official launch of the Christmas Kettles by making a sizeable donation. This year AUA was among the few corporate entities who pledged support of this worthy cause during a press launch at the Epicurean Supermarket on November 16th. During his brief remarks Mr. Marlon Destin thanked the Salvation Army for allowing AUA the opportunity to join forces in an effort to assist the needy. Divisional leader Major Brenda Greenidge thanked AUA profusely for the generous donation and expressed her hope that the relationship between the Salvation Army and AUA will be a lasting one.
l-r Secretary of the Salvation Army National Advisory Board Valerie Gonsalves-Barreiro, Marlon Destin and Major Raymond Pierre during the press launch
The kettles and accompanying bill ringing at supermarkets across the island during the prelude to Christmas is to some a welcome reminder of the reason for the season. The Salvation Army utilizes the funds received to provide hot meals as well as food items and other necessities to the less fortunate.
Urique Hall, Registrar’s Assistant presents the cheque to Chairman of the Salvation Army National Advisory Board, Hollis Francis
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Our Success Stories; Dr. Eddie Copelin II Commenting on his plans for the future, Dr. Copelin proudly announced his upcoming nuptials to the lovely Linda in March 2019. Career-wise he plans to do a one-year advanced Fellowship once his current Fellowship at NYU Winthrop Hospital is completed. In addition, he intends to re-enlist in the military, possibly as an Air Force or Navy Reserve Medical Officer.
Dr. Eddie Copelin II during his presentation to Global MD students
We are always happy to welcome AUA graduates back to the AUA campus where their long journey toward becoming an MD started. On September 18th we were especially proud to welcome Class of 2015’s Eddie Copelin II, MD, MHA, current Gastroenterology Fellow at NYU Winthrop Hospital in Mineola, New York and a decorated U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Dr. Copelin is a former Internal Medicine Resident at Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence, Rhode Island and the 2018 Commencement Ceremony Alumni Speaker. He began his health care career as a volunteer EMT in Long Island, New York and majored in Biology at New York Institute of Technology. During his military career, he received National Defense Service, Navy, and USMC Achievement medal, as well as the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, and the Navy Presidential Unit Citation and Sea Service ribbons. Accompanied by his fiancé Linda Soriano, Dr. Copelin was enjoying a well-deserved vacation and opted to visit his Alma Mater during a scheduled cruise stop. After a well-received presentation on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) to Global MD students, he graciously took the time to meet students, answer questions and share his knowledge and advice on how to stay motivated. During my conversation with Dr. Copelin, his enthusiasm for medicine and learning was obvious as he reminisced about his experiences at AUA and the solid foundation he was able to
build here. He was pleased to see evidence of the continued growth and success of the institution as evidenced by campus expansion, technological advances and improved curriculum. Dr. Copelin was especially effusive in his praise of the Global MD program, noting that it provides much needed insight and knowledge of ethnic and social determinants of health which are extremely relevant for today’s physician.
In the long term, Dr. Copelin plans to hone his skills as a motivational speaker and book author since he feels that his story should be shared as a way of encouraging and inspiring others to succeed. He noted that The Cosby Show’s Dr. Cliff Huxtable was a positive role model for him as a youngster and added that young black men need inspiration to strive for success. He explained that, as a Marine, there is absolutely no excuse for failure and he attributes much of his success as a medical student to the core principles of the Marine Corps; these principles will forever form the basis of his motivational message.
Dr. Copelin responds to questions following his presentation
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Our Success Stories; Dr. Kevin Brown always available and willing to listen, provide useful advice and support. Is there a magic formula? Dr. Brown says there is no magic, you need to ensure your foundational knowledge is sound and that you study hard for the Boards since medicine is a very competitive field. Research is also necessary because evidence based medicine is an integral part of the medical landscape and your ability to knowledgably advocate for your patient is of utmost importance. Above all, be an honorable and personable human being, be present and let your voice be heard. What’s next for Dr. Brown? He is hesitant to say at the moment but he confesses to a certain leaning toward bariatric surgery and surgical endoscopy.
Dr. Kevin Brown (r) shares the podium with Associate Dean of Research Dr. Rick Millis
One of the guest speakers at the Fall 2018 Research Day on November 9th was none other than outstanding graduate, Dr. Kevin Brown. Dr. Brown hails from Princeton New Jersey and is the product of Jamaican born parents. Given that his dad is a general surgeon and his mom a nurse, it is hardly surprising that Dr. Brown always knew he wanted to become a surgeon, he credits his success to his parent’s unwavering support throughout the years. Throughout school his determination never wavered and he worked hard towards his career goal. Dr. Brown completed the premed program at the University of Maryland prior to taking time off to focus on liver, prostate and thyroid cancer research at Georgetown University before matriculating to the American University of Antigua (AUA). Dr. Brown successfully matched with the Mayo Clinic after achieving his Doctor of Medicine from AUA. He subsequently accepted a surgical resident position at Cleveland Clinic after which he was offered a permanent position and the rest is history! Currently a Categorical General Surgery Resident at Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Dr. Brown is living his dream, he regularly experiences mind-blowing technological advancements and innovative surgical techniques. He spends approximately 65-80 hours per week working with some of the most outstanding surgeons on the planet. His advice to current med students – keep working hard, do well on the Boards and make the
connections that can help propel your medical career. Dr. Brown says the Intercession Enhancement program he participated in at AUA was a good clinical experience for him and the Cardiologist he shadowed was able to provide valuable clinical and practical advice as well as important contacts. What about work/life balance? Dr. Brown says he was fortunate enough to be mentored by some of the very best at Cleveland Clinic including Dr. Ajita Prabhu and Dr. Guilherme Costa who both taught him that success involves hours of hard work but in order to rise to the pinnacle of your career, be an excellent surgeon and have a good family life; work/life balance is key. As a result, Dr. Brown has succeeded in striking this desirable balance, he enjoys camping, hiking and cycling and even finds time to run a few half marathons with his staff each year! Who is his role model? Dr. Prabhu, she’s one of the best in her field, a brilliant Abdominal Wall Reconstructive Surgeon who has worked closely with him, offering invaluable advice, guidance and support. Dr. Athol Morgan, a cardiologist in Baltimore remains an instrumental mentor before, during and after medical school, he is a great teacher and has become a lifelong friend. He mentions Dr. Hassan Amiralli as one of the professors who mentored him at AUA and expresses his appreciation for the strong foundational knowledge of anatomy he helped him build. He also mentions Dr. Reza Sanii who he says was
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Outstanding Students Honored Twenty outstanding students were hosted at the traditional Honors Breakfast on Friday November 9th at the Bayhouse Restaurant. Specially invited guests and Reasearch Day speakers Dr. Ronald DeMeersman and Dr. Kevin Brown were also in attendance. Heartiest congratulaltions to all of the honourees listed below: 1. Yujin Jeong 2. Dragos Besliu 3. Jacqueline Shimamoto 4. Muhammad Durrani 5. Kaley Coffey 6. Mary O. Egbunike 7. Jawad Shabani 8. Duc-Huy Nguyen 9. Brandon S. Zarnoth 10. Jonathan Hall 11. Josselyn Solis 12. Megan Brooker 13. Molly Mefford 14. Eloim Morales Rosado 15. Regina McPherson 16. Mylaun Griffith 17. Chaveen Luckshitha-Amarasinghe 18. Efe Oni 19. Tom Vang 20. Joseph Mitchell
University Provost Dr. Robert Mallin makes a point during his address at the Honors Breakfast
Associate Dean of Research Dr. Richard Millis made brief opening remarks before inviting University Provost Dr. Robert Mallin to address the gathering. Following the Provost’s address, students took the opportunity to chat with Dr. Brown asking a variety of questions including how best to prepare for Steps as well as advice on how to navigate a sucessful medical career. In keeping with the AUA tradition, the Honors Breakfast was followed by Research Day. Keynote speaker Dr. Ronald DeMeersman Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Columbia University and current AUA Professor, delivered a very entertaining presentation entitled ‘When in Vagus, Stay in Vagus - A Professional Journey of Change and Opportunities 1980-2018 ’ . Quoting Galileo, Dr. DeMeersman noted that “ The challenge of any change has been the struggle between those advocating fundamental changes — with new content, methods, and structure — and those resisting the changes” Galileo Galilei,1564-1642 “Geocentric to Heliocentric”
Dr. Kevin Brown responds to questions
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Fall 2018 Research Day By Dr. Richard Millis
Keynote Speaker Dr. Ronald DeMeersman
Research Day is a biannual event at AUACOM, held in both the Fall and the Spring semesters. The Fall 2018 event was convened by the Associate Dean for Research, Dr. Millis, and Associate Dean for Academic Matters, Dr. Nandini Rao who co-hosted the traditional "Scholars Breakfast" honoring the top five performers in each of the four semester classes represented on the Antigua campus. It is also traditional to invite an advanced fourth-year student or a former student who is currently in a medical residency program to Research Day; this year, the specially invited guest was Kevin C. Brown, MD who is currently a second-year resident in surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. During the breakfast program at the Bay House Restaurant, University Provost, Dr. Robert Mallin, congratulated the students, urging them to strive for leadership positions in the future and maintain their high academic performance to improve their chances of acceptance into their "first-choice" medical residency program. The scholar honorees were each given the opportunity to ask questions and participate in a lively discussion about how to prepare themselves and what to expect at the next level of their training beyond the basic sciences, namely clinical rotations and residency programs.
About an hour was spent handing the microphone around the breakfast table with thought-provoking questions from the student scholars and answers provided by Dr. Brown. After breakfast, Dr. Brown graciously hosted two similar question-and-answer sessions open to the entire student body and faculty. The sessions were held in Classroom 5 in the morning and in Conference Room A in the afternoon. The turnout was modest, but those who took advantage of the opportunity reported that they gained invaluable knowledge and insight into how to translate their unique experiences in Curriculum Next into improving their USMLE Step 1 scores, clinical rotations and applications to medical residency programs. The formal Research Day program hosted in the Flex Room commenced with greetings from University Provost, Dr. Mallin, followed by a brief address by Associate Dean for Research, Dr. Millis about the usefulness of research to medical students in developing their skills for information discovery and interpretation. Keynote speaker was Dr. Ronald DeMeersman, Professor of Physiology at AUACOM and Professor Emeritus at Columbia University and former Professor of Physiology at a premier medical school in Saudi Arabia.
Dr. DeMeersman's presentation entitled, "When in Vagus, Stay in Vagus" was extremely creative and informative. He traced his early life molded by his grandparents in Belgium, his travels to the US to study physiology at Indiana University where he earned his doctoral degree (Ph.D.) and four decades of career teaching and physiological research mainly at Columbia University in New York. Dr. DeMeersman cleverly wove a story based in part on his unsuccessful research of the vagus nerve because of various unforeseen adverse circumstances and obstacles that befell him. He recounted how at each stage of his life, he reinvented himself with new insight or technology which he employed to "Stay in Vagus" and realize his lifelong dream of serving as a medical school professor in physiology, along the way unraveling some of the great mysteries of the human body's autonomic nervous system. Dr. De Meersman's lively presentation was followed by the surgical treatment of bowel obstruction by AUA graduate, Dr. Brown who demonstrated how to successfully incorporate research into a burgeoning medical career. The Research Day Program culminated with the serving of a light tasty dinner to the second-semester class who attended the event.
Med 2 students pay rapt attention
University Provost Dr. Robert applauds the speaker
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AUA Healthy Perspectives Co-host Linda Sawka speaks with Dr. Andre Winter, Obstetrician and Gynecologist, on the topic of ovarian cancer in an upcoming 2019 episode. This episode promises to explore not only the symptoms and possible causes of the disease but will also allow the viewer a rare glimpse of the Linda Sawka who is herself an ovarian cancer survivor, retired Registered Nurse and Health Coach. Linda is also the bestselling author of Starry Jones Kicks Cancer's Butt a chronicle of her experiences with ovarian cancer which is currently available on Amazon. Remember to like and share the AUA Healthy Perspectives Facebook page! watch out for other interesting episodes in the upcoming 2019 season as we continue to focus on educating our viewers about health matters in our effort to promote healthy lifestyle habits for overall health and wellbeing.
Dr. Nicola Bird of Integrated Health Outreach (IHO) being prepped for the show
he current season of AUA Healthy Perspectives continues to be impactful with interesting topics inclusive of ovarian cancer, breast feeding for healthy babies and the importance of proper nutrition and physical activity for optimal health and wellbeing. The possibility that sedentary lifestyles can be linked to childhood obesity and the subsequent rise in non-communicable diseases in adults is cause for concern and a common thread within the series. Two of the episodes previously aired, focused on the topic of breast feeding and its positive impacts on both mother and infant. Co-Host Linda Sawka spoke with Dr. Janelle Charles Williams, member of the national Breast Feeding committee along with Ms. Samantha Moitt, Chief Nutrition Officer and Demetria Daley, breast feeding mom and Registered Nurse. In a recent episode, Co-host Dr. Leslie Walwyn spoke with STRONG by Zumba senior fitness instructor Danielle Walwyn about the importance of physical activity and its impact on human health. She also asked the important question: What can be done to improve the overall health of children in Antigua and Barbuda? Ms. Walwyn who is also a Zumba Kids certified coach, is currently writing the thesis for her master’s degree of Science and Health Promotion at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Her research explores the physical activity opportunities for adolescent secondary school students in Antigua, using
qualitative and quantitative methods. She hopes to capture an image of the current physical activity context in schools and highlight the role that schools can play in developing healthy habits for life.
Co-host Linda Sawka on set
In another interesting episode, Co-host Linda Sawka interviews Psychologist Dr. Nicola Bird of Integrated Health Outreach (IHO) about their recently introduced Mother-Care Program for young mothers in Antigua and Barbuda. The program which is supported by the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives is the newest addition to the series of programs offered by IHO. IHO was developed by Family Physician, Dr. Leslie Walwyn, and Psychologist, Dr. Nicola Bird, and is a social impact initiative that teaches adults and children practical ways of sustaining mental and emotional health. In an upcoming episode, Co-host Dr. Leslie Walwyn will speak with Dr. Cherie Tulloch on the topic of Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health. The discussion will focus on the detrimental effects of early sexual activity, social issues that adolescents face and the healthcare services available for the sexual and reproductive health care needs of adolescent youths in Antigua & Barbuda.
Chief Nutrition Officer Samantha Moitt speaks with co-host Dr. Richard Millis
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Recent Student Club Activities organizing another very successful blood drive to replenish the Mt. St. John’s Medical Centre’s blood bank in November and to the Fit Club for the innumerous burpees they did to raise funds for the Cedar Grove Primary School. Kudos to the Phi DE for the reading program at Cedar Grove Primary and to the Club Peds for their volunteer efforts; the AUA Ambassadors for hosting fund raisers for PAAWS and other charities and to all of the other clubs not mentioned here for the amazing work they do each semester to assist communities here and abroad.
Med 3 student Rachel Donaldson donates to The EMIG & Club Lyfe Blood Drive on November 15th
Despite crammed schedules, continuous exam prep and all of the other stressors common to med students, the student clubs still managed to get caught doing good deeds this semester. From organizing bake sales and other fundraisers for charity to volunteering at the Mt. St. John’s Medical Centre pediatric unit and the CARE Project, reading to children, and a
variety of other activities, the clubs have done an amazing amount of good deeds.
The Ambassadors bake sale on October 4th raised funds for PAAWS
Special thanks to the Doctor’s for Christ (DFC) student club for the kind words, drinks, baked goodies and hi-fives which were distributed on campus during their ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ in October. Congratulations to the EMIG for
DFC club members share goodwill and goodies During their Random Acts of Kindness on October 30th
Fit Club members do burpees to raise funds for the Cedar Grove Primary School on October 9th
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Faculty Publications
Joy A. Cox, PhD, M.Ed. 1. Cox, J. A. & Phillip, T. (2018). Does LASSI predict academic performance in firstsemester at risk medical students? In LASSI in Action, H&H Publishing. Retrieved from http://www.hhpublishing.com/ap/_assess ments/LASSI-in-Action-Articles/LASSI-InAction-Fall-2018.pdf
Noha Hussien, MD, MSc, PhD 1. Attia N, Mashal M, et al. “Gene transfer to rat cerebral cortex mediated by polysorbate 80 and poloxamer 188 non-ionic surfactant vesicles”. Drug Design, Development and Therapy 2018, 12: 3937—3949. 2. Mashal M, Attia N, et al. “Non-viral vectors based on cationic niosomes as efficient gene delivery vehicles to central nervous system cells into the brain”. International journal of pharmaceutics. 2018. 3. Differential Susceptibility to T Cell-Induced Colitis in Mice: Role of the Intestinal Microbiota. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. 24: 361-379
Sabyasachi Maity, M.Sc. PhD 1. Nat Neurosci. 2018 Nov 19. doi: 10.1038/s41593-018-0268-0. [Epub ahead of print] SYNGAP1 heterozygosity disrupts sensory processing by reducing touchrelated activity within somatosensory cortex circuits.Michaelson SD1, Ozkan ED1, Aceti M1,2, Maity S1, Llamosas N1, Weldon M3, Mizrachi E1, Vaissiere T1, Gaffield MA4, Christie JM4, Holder JL Jr5, Miller CA1,6, Rumbaugh G7,8.
Arun Kumar Agnihotri, MD 1. Agnihotri AK, Ngorosha T. Small group teaching and learning. Internet J Medical Update. 2018 January;13(1):1-2. doi: 10.4314/ijmu.v13i1.1 2. Agnihotri AK, Tangman Y. Estimating Stature from the Measurements of Upper Limbs in the Indo-Mauritian Population. J For Identification. 2018;68(2):23455.Agnihotri AK, Ngorasha T, Rao N, 3. Agnihotri S, et al (Editors), Internet Journal of Medical Update, Vol 13 (1&2), AUA College of Medicine, Antigua. 2018. Available at: https://www.akspublication.com/Archives. htm
Adekunle E. Omole, MBChB, PGDE, MSc 1. Fakoya AOJ, Otohinoyi DA., Omole AE., et al. Correlating possible predisposing demographics and systemic conditions with the aortic root. Ann Afr Med. 2018 Jul-Sep; 17(3): 133-139.
Samuel Allwyn Joshua, PhD 1. Joshua SA, D’ Costa S, Johal R, et al. A rare bilateral variant branching pattern of the axillary artery. Int J Anat Var. Sep 2018;11(3):101-102.
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Student Publications 6.
Kameswara Rao Kottapalli 1. Li X, Rensing C, Taylor WL, Costelle C, Brejnrod AD, Ferry RJ Jr, Higgins PB, Folli F, Kottapalli KR, Hubbard GB, Dick EJ Jr, Yooseph S, Nelson KE, SchlabritzLoutsevitch N (2018) Papio spp. Colon microbiome and its link to obesity in pregnancy. J Med Primatol. doi: 10.1111/jmp.12366. 2. Zhang W, Molehin AJ, Rojo JU, Sudduth J, Ganapathy PK, Kim E, Siddiqui AJ, Freeborn J, Sennoune SR, May J, Lazarus S, Nguyen C, Redman WK, Ahmad G, Torben W, Karmakar S, Le L, Kottapalli KR, Kottapalli P, Wolf RF, Papin JF, Carey D, Gray SA, Bergthold JD, Damian RT, Mayer BT, Marks F, Reed SG, Carter D, Siddiqui AA (2018) Sm-p80-based schistosomiasis vaccine: double-blind preclinical trial in baboons demonstrates comprehensive prophylactic and parasite transmission-blocking efficacy. Ann. N Y Acad. Sci. 1425(1):38-51. 3. Siddiqui AJ, Molehin AJ, Zhang W, Ganapathy PK, Kim E, Rojo JU, Redman WK, Sennoune S, Sudduth J, Freeborn J, Kottapalli KR, Kottapalli P, Wettashinghe R, van Dam GJ, Corstjens PLAM, Papin JF, Carey D, Ahmad G, Torben W, and Siddiqui AA (2018) Efficacy of Sm-p80based schistosomiasis vaccine in nonhuman primates: Mimicking natural conditions of chronic disease, praziquantel therapy, immunization, and re-encounter with Schistosoma mansoni. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. Ann. N Y Acad. Sci. 11. doi: 10.1111/nyas.13866. 4. Ayala DI, Chen J, Bugarel M, Loneragan GH, den Bakker HC, Kottapalli KR, Brashears MM, Nightingale KK (2018) Molecular detection and quantification of viable probiotic strains in animal feedstuffs using the commercial direct fed microbial Lactobacillus animalis NP51 as a model. J Microbiol Methods. 2018 Apr 16. pii: S0167-7012(18)30043-5. 5. Wijayatunga NN, Pahlavani M, Kalupahana NS, Kottapalli KR, Gunaratne PH, Coarfa C, Ramalingam L, MoustaidMoussa N (2018) An integrative transcriptomic approach to identify depot
differences in genes and microRNAs in adipose tissues from high fat fed mice. Oncotarget. 9:9246-9261. Cynthia Reinoso Webb, Hendrik den Bakker, Iurii Koboziev, Yava Jones-Hall, Kottapalli KR, Dmitry Ostanin, Kathryn L. Furr, Qinghui Mu, Xin M. Luo, Matthew B. Grisham (2018) Differential Susceptibility to T Cell-Induced Colitis in Mice: Role of the Intestinal Microbiota. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. 24: 361-379
Sapna Prasad 1. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Brentuximab Vedotin with Chemotherapy in Newly Diagnosed Stage III and IV Hodgkin Lymphoma.Scott F. Huntington, Gottfried von Keudell, Amy J. Davidoff, Cary P. Gross, and Sapna A. Prasad.Journal of Clinical Oncology 2018 36:33, 3307-3314
Tara Knisely, MPH 1. Lange M, Lee CW, Knisely T, Perla S, Barber K, Kia M. Efficacy of Intravenous Acetaminophen in Length of Stay and Postoperative Pain Control in Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypss Surgery Patients. Bariatr Surg Pract and Patient Care. 2018 Sept1;13(3):103-108. doi:10.1089/bari.2018.0005
AUA ROHRMAN Returns March 9-10 2019!
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Coach’s Classic American Football Camp AUA hosted the ‘Coach’s Classic American Football Camp’ on Saturday September 15th. The camp was organized by Stevan ‘Coach’ Lynn of Deeds Driven Dads, a NY based non-profit in collaboration with AUA and the Ministry of Social Transformation. The camp was part of the Antiguan male mentorship program ‘The Future Father’s Club’ which is the brainchild of Coach Lynn.
Participants listen keenly to Coach Lynn
Participants consisted of fathers along with their sons or daughters. The participants were coached on American football basics as well as Hands Only CPR before being invited to partake of hotdogs and burgers specially prepared by Coach Lynn himself. Coach Lynn intends to utilize The Future Father’s Club as a pilot to mentor men who are not involved in their children’s lives for a variety of reasons. According to Coach, he himself was once in the unenviable position of not being able to adequately provide for his son and was prevented from having any interaction with his son as a result of this. The program aims to teach men how to navigate the legal system for joint or full custody of their children if necessary, build self-confidence, develop vocational skills, and become a positive influence in their children’s lives.
Hands only CPR Training
Housekeeping staff Dianne Williams assist with lunch preparation
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Community Outreach Update By Joy A. Cox, PhD, M.Ed.
The community outreach committee would like to thank the health fair organizers and AUA volunteers for supporting this health fair; special thanks to all the graduate fellows for their support at the blood testing station. The Breast Friends – Women in Touch Annual Breast Cancer screening occurred at the Mount St. John’s Medical Center (MSJMC) on Saturday October 27th. Twenty students, one staff and three faculty members volunteered at this event. The students were responsible for history taking and recording of BMI of 289 patients, prior to breast screening. One student Victor Okoro is to be commended for staying late to ensure that all patients were assisted. Student, Gloria Torres commented, “I enjoyed participating in today’s Breast Cancer Health Fair. Thank you for getting AUA students involved. I learned from the patients and had the opportunity to practice my interview skills. Thanks also to the hospital MSJMC and the physician in charge”. Med 3 students report for duty at the Mt. St. John’s Medical Centre during the breast cancer screening event on October 27th
The Community Outreach Committee continues to thrive, aiding the local community through volunteer efforts of our students, faculty and staff while fostering service-learning opportunities for students. As such, in Fall 2018, the committee hosted three health fairs to provide servicelearning opportunities for all semester three (3) students. The annual Pediatric Health Village, a yearly event organized by the Rotary Club of Antigua Sundown, took place on Saturday August 25th at the TN Kirnon Primary School. The event was sponsored by AUA in collaboration with various community partners including the Eye Mobile Vision Care Inc., Dental Care Clinic- Dr. Derek Marshall and Associates, Williams & Associates Dental Ltd., The Medical Benefits Scheme, Staff of the Ministry of Health, the Breastfeeding Association, Signs and Impressions, A.S. Bryden, Yao, Frank B. Armstrong, The Principal and Staff of TN Kirnon Primary, Ultimate Playground, Digicel, Antigua Commercial Bank and Rotaractors of Antigua. Approximately 189 children were screened with the assistance of 78 AUA students, 14 faculty and 3 staff members. The Emergency Medical Training Centre (EMTC) staff were on hand to provide CPR demonstrations and 4 members of the Asthma League, an AUA student group organization, delivered an informative presentation on the treatment of Asthma.
President of the Rotary Club Sundown Mr. Jonah Ormond expressed his deep appreciation for the collaboration with AUA and added, “though there is room for improvement, we are most certain that the recipients are very grateful. We look forward to a long and healthy relationship with you”. During the month of October, the community outreach committee sponsored two health fairs. On Saturday the 13th, AUA in partnership with the Lutheran Church hosted an event which provided an opportunity for the semester three students to learn about basic pediatric screening procedures, such as anthropometric measurement, BMI growth chart interpretation, blood pressure recording skills and its interpretation, as well as interpreting the Snellen’s chart test result for defective vision, and the clinical significance of the HEENT examination, about 200 participants, ages 5 to 75 years were screened during this event. The men’s health screening station allowed students to assess the Framingham risk score for cardiovascular disease and detect osteoarthritis disorders and provided students an opportunity to learn about musculoskeletal examination and physiotherapy counseling by observing local doctors and physiotherapists. AUA students gained experience in assessing menstrual and sexual disorders and students at the women’s health screening station and observed the gynecologist at the pelvic examination station.
A student measures a child during the Lutheran Church Health Day on October 13th
The Clarehall SDA Church invited AUA to their Education Food Fair on August 26th to speak with youths interested in the field of medicine as a career path. The committee expresses their gratitude to semester three student, Richard Mitchell, Mr. Jeremias Samuel and Mr. John Bakker of the EMTC, and Ms. Sharon Brusch for volunteering and doing such an amazing job at this event.
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Back on campus, the Phi Delta Epsilon organization and the Fit Club continues to support the Cedar Grove Primary School project. On October 9th, the Fit Club e-board hosted a fundraising event in honor of the primary school. Faculty, staff and students paid the Fit Club members “$5 for 5 reps” of burpees and/or pushups. The club also sold pudding cups on campus. The funds will be used to purchase books, jump ropes, balls and other equipment the school requires. On Friday afternoons, the Phi De student group visit the primary school to read interesting and novel stories to the young students. These efforts by the two student groups have been well received and greatly appreciated by the community outreach committee and the principal of the Cedar Grove Primary School.
Did You Know? World AIDS Day commemorated its 30year-anniversary on Dec. 1, 2018. “Know Your Status” is this year’s theme. Understanding the importance of knowing one’s status is of the utmost importance.
Some of the Asthma League student club members during their presentation on the treatment of Asthma at the Pediatric Health Fair on August 25th
Since its inception at the 1988 World Summit of Ministers of Health on Programmes for AIDS Prevention, United Nations agencies along with governments and civil organizations worldwide set aside this day to focus on awareness and education. Each year World AIDS Day has a different theme but the basic tenet remains the same; awareness. Nonetheless, barriers to education and testing remain a problem in many countries. Stereotypical prejudices cause some to avoid knowing their status. That stigma is one hurdle that keeps people self-care. Embarrassment or denial might be other causes for avoidance. Perhaps, the latter two are the most harmful since they are self-sabotaging behavior. Obtaining the correct information can overcome and help elevate these pressures. World AIDS Day is designed to increase awareness about the disease. Their intent is to provide information and offer education. http://guardianlv.com/2018/12/2018-world-aids-day-themeknow-your-status/
EMTC Supervisor Jeremias Samuel and Med 3 student Richard Mitchell man the information booth during the Clarehall Church career fair on August 26th
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What’s on in Antigua Thursday 20, December 2018
Get together with loved ones and enjoy the most delicious Christmas Eve Dinner on the Beach at Ana's.
Saturday 22, December 2018
Enjoy 5 races - 3 days of racing at Budget Marine High Tide Series on Thursday, December 20th, Saturday 22nd and Wednesday 26th
Tuesday 25, December 2018, 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Christmas Feast in the Dockyard!
Sunday 23, December 2018, 5:00 pm until Start your Sunday off with a delicious brunch at 11:30am, then sip on refreshing cocktails or other beverages and dance to great music by DJ Tanny from 5pm until at Cloggy's Cafe.
Enjoy an evening with family and friends over a Special Menu and Stolichnaya Cocktails & Jell-O Shots while listening to great tunes by DJ Quixx on Thursdays from 7pm at the larder.
Monday 31, December 2018 New Year’s Eve at Sugar Ridge
Friday 21, December 2018.
Take the kids to enjoy the fun Christmas activities with bounce castle, Christmas cookie decorating and more on Friday, December 21st from 12:30pm at Antigua Yacht Club.
Monday 24, December 2018
Christmas Eve at the Pillars Restaurant
Nocturnal 9 - Into The Wild
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The AUA Way In keeping with our community outreach mandate, AUA sponsors events, offers assistance to community partners, NGOs and individuals whenever the need arises. On September 28th an adjustable bed was donated to Ms. Tiarrah Clarke, the victim of a hit and run vehicular accident on June 24, 2018. It is hoped that the bed will improve her quality of life, mental health, and chances for a speedy recovery. “Recovery from physical trauma is often tied to emotional health and the ability to remain positive and we believe that providing her with this medical necessity will enable Ms. Clarke to be more comfortable and focused on her rehabilitation and recovery. In this sense, this gift goes well beyond the practical benefit of providing someone with a modified place to sleep: It's a direct investment in her emotional and mental well-being.” Said EMTC Supervisor, Mr. Jeremias Samuel during the handover. On December 4th Associate Director of Administration Mr. Avery Jonas, presented a cheque to Ms. Salma Crump, Head of Marketing and Communications at the Mount St. John’s Medical Centre (MSJMC). The funds assisted in providing gifts and activities for the annual Family and Social Services children’s party which was hosted at the MSJMC pediatric unit on December 14th. Similar donations were also made to the following entities:
The Sunnyside Tutorial School The Rotary Club Antigua Sundown The Barbuda Rising Homecoming Committee The Mount St. John’s Medical Centre (For Mr. Alphonso Richardson) The Mount St. John’s Medical Centre (For Breast Cancer Screening) The Antigua Girls High School The Harpers Office Depot The Antigua and Barbuda Sickle Cell Association The Cedar Grove Clinic Milestone Academy Caribbean Development Centre The Salvation Army
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DECEMBER 2018
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Perhaps it does feel like summer all year round in the Caribbean especially when it comes to fashion. Let’s face it, the trends are always hot. Our past articles focused on seasons and inspired trends but in this issue we want to take a look at some of the local and regional designers behind the scenes.
Fashion Insider By Indra Walker
As we look to close 2018 we see that we had a number of trends that will more than likely spill over into the new year – things like bold colors, prints and grand statement pieces. Have you heard of Chen Burkett? When thinking of prints, this designer based in Antigua & Barbuda and New York comes to mind. Her vibrant Caribbean inspired clothing line promises to display this, season after season, through color in unexpected prints. In one of our issues we took a look at how athleisure wear and fanny packs were making a strong comeback. Designer, Jeremy Payne from St. Vincent & the Grenadines, branded as “Fashion Is Payne” notes this and brought a bit to his collection. Designer, Nadia Winter of the Duo Collection - British Virgin Islands is gifted in merging unpredicted fabrics and colors. She uses her designs to display a bit of her heritage. Her collection is filled with florals and bold, bright colors depicting the Caribbean and also includes shoes and a swimwear line. For over 20 years, Jamaican designer - Briget Brown of Bridget Sandals has managed to develop and sustain a quality brand that is wellknown internationally. Sandals, an all-year round trend for us in this region is available in many colors and styles from this designer. Believe it or not, there are so many designers in the Caribbean. Selecting the above four was difficult but here’s one more for good measure. From the beautiful island of St. Kitts, these young designers (teenagers) – Keeanna and Shavaniece of Iridescent as the name implies brings just this to their collection. Think sequins, embroidery; glitter even! The iridescent trend has been and is here to stay both locally and internationally. These designers and many more may be Caribbean based but are by no means Caribbean limited. All have a strong presence on social media, pop up shops and online storefronts – be sure to check them out! 2018 was indeed a noteworthy trendy year but just wait for it – 2019 is practically here!
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A Farewell Message from Ms. Tulip
Dear AUA Family, Wow! 14 years of service; time has certainly flown by! I am truly blessed to have had a job that I enjoyed. The best part was being able to meet so many people and having amazing coworkers who I will NEVER forget. You are my second family and I will miss you all! I am however looking forward to having more time to spend with my family and friends, and who knows, maybe a little adventure here or there. Thank you for all the kind words and wishes. As AUA continues to grow and prosper, I wish you – my AUA family, continued prosperity in the upcoming year and beyond. Once again, thanks for everything, I shall miss you. Sincerely, Tulip Cools-Lartigue
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