First group of hospital fellows complete research
Research fellow Brandon DaCosta
(CNS Local Life): A group of Caymanian university students recently completed an inaugural research programme at Health City Cayman Islands (HCCI). The 18 young people who participated in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) were chosen through a competitive application process and finished their work in June and July.
“We were very pleased by the diversity of students,” said Richard Parchment, SURF programme organiser and HCCI education coordinator. “The students are attending universities in Canada, the United States, the UK and the Cayman Islands and all performed remarkably well.”
Charles D. Bush, also a program organiser, added that the hospital was impressed with the calibre of the group. “These young Caymanians give us great hope for the future of destination healthcare in the Cayman Islands.’
Each fellow was asked to develop a written plan of care on a case study, based on Health City’s healthcare model.
SURF fellow Brandon DaCosta, a UCCI graduate who intends to become a neurosurgeon, said of the programme: “Where else in the Cayman Islands would a college student be given the opportunity to be mentored by a world-class surgeon like Dr Susheel Wadhwa and view complex surgeries on a weekly basis?
“When I enter the University of Massachusetts in the spring, I will be well ahead of my peers.”
DaCosta’s paper on left posterior frontal tumours received the highest score of the SURF cohort.
Research fellow Alexandra Anglin
Fellow Alexandra Anglin is studying for her pre-med master’s of science degree at Brunel University London in order to become a cardiologist. “I was treated like a part of the team,“ she said. “Dr Raghu Prassad and Dr Pankaj Gundad included me in their rounds with patients and even allowed me to shadow during consultations. I have definitely grown professionally and I look forward to returning next summer.”
HCCI project director Gene Thompson said, “The outcome of the SURF programme is further evidence that we are accomplishing a big part of Dr Devi Shetty’s vision, which is for our Caymanian people to develop and take over the leading roles at Health City Cayman Islands.”
Education Minister Tara Rivers spoke about the ministry’s partnership with the hospital. “The education and training partnership established with Health City Cayman Islands has grown tremendously since 2014. The SURF programme is one of several programmes established to raise the level of awareness, interest and skills of our students, exposing them to one of the fastest growing industries.
“I am delighted to hear of the success of our students through their participation in the SURF programme, and will continue to support such efforts which provide our students with the opportunity to develop the technical and vocational skills required to be successful in their medical studies and careers thereafter.”
Applications for next year’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship will be accepted beginning in March 2017.
For more information on educational opportunites for secondary school and university students, email Health City or call 640-4195
Category: Education, Medical and Health
