Medical schools and veterinary medicine school support healthcare, education, and well-being.
Two medical schools and the veterinary medicine school operated in the Caribbean by Adtalem Global Education are leading a dedicated community investment program to support the island nations in which they teach. These community programs include a variety of activities and volunteer support, as well as financial contributions and the donation of computer equipment and other assets to community organizations whose missions align with Adtalem’s focus on healthcare, education, and well-being. Adtalem is a global educator and workforce solutions provider that operates with a sense of purpose focused on academic quality and making a tangible impact on the global community.
Adtalem institutions include American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) in Sint Maarten, Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) in Barbados and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
AUC
AUC has a robust and established network of community partners on the island and medical students and faculty regularly participate in Community Action Days, where they volunteer at various community organizations. Today, AUC presents its annual Community Commitment grants to 11 foundations: Artcraft Café Foundation/The Waste Factory, Community Outreach Mentorship & Empowerment Foundation (C.O.M.E.), Diabetes Foundation of Sint Maarten, I Can Foundation, K1 Britannia Foundation, Mental Health Foundation – St. Maarten, Positive Foundation, Safe Haven Foundation, St. Maarten AIDS Foundation, St. Maarten Nature Foundation and Windward Island Emergency Medical Services. Checks were presented in a ceremony on campus by AUC leaders, including Heidi Chumley, MD, MBA and Executive Dean of AUC.
“We are pleased to continue our support for these valuable organizations, who, in addition to serving the people of Sint Maarten, also contribute to the education of aspiring physicians through their partnerships with AUC,” said Dr. Chumley. “At AUC, we believe a key skill for any physician is the ability to engage the community as a partner, and we are proud of the experiences that shape our students, which are made possible because of our community partnerships.”
“American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine’s contributions to the advancement of tertiary education on Sint Maarten is commendable. The school has extended its resources to other institutions as well, unselfishly building up the overall caliber of the Sint Maarten medical and care training programmes,” said Honourable Wycliffe Smith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport.
RUSM
RUSM established its campus in Barbados in January of 2019 and is pleased to grant funds to 11 organizations that are dedicated to health and medical care, research and youth education: Barbados Cancer Society, The Barbados Breast Screening Program, Caribbean Ophthalmology Research Alliance, The Diabetes Association of Barbados, Eden Lodge Youth Charitable Trust, The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados, K9 Friends, Precious Touch Foundation, Sir George Alleyne Chronic Disease Research Center, Step by Step Diabetes Foot Care Program and The Type 1 Diabetes Registry. RUSM has a history of supporting education, culture and healthcare organizations in the Caribbean with both financial contributions and volunteer commitments.
“An important component of the medical education experience is to engage with the community to further develop each student’s awareness of the interrelation between a person’s environment and their health,” said William Owen, MD, FACP, and Dean and Chancellor for RUSM. “As a diverse medical school, there are intrinsic benefits to both our students and the community because of these connections and activities.”
“Ross University School of Medicine continues to demonstrate that its commitment to Barbados is not only financial but also an investment in the island’s social capital. Each of these non-governmental organizations plays a pivotal role in educating and caring for our citizens, and these donations will no doubt go a long way toward supporting their efforts as well as supplementing the work of the Government of Barbados,” said Honourable Santia Bradshaw, Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training.
RUSVM
In the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, RUSVM has been a long-standing community partner with organizations fostering education, healthcare and security and safety. Additionally, RUSVM students and faculty are active in an assortment of projects to support animal, marine and environmental health in the region. On May 8, the veterinary medicine school will donate computers and other equipment to ten primary schools, to enhance the learning of young students. In partnership with the government and civic-minded actors, RUSVM is refurbishing and rehabilitating information technology laboratories at the following primary schools: Joshua Obadiah Williams Primary, Cayon Primary, Deane Glasford Primary, Edgar T. Morris Primary, Violet Petty Primary, Estridge Primary, Sandy Point Primary, Newton Ground Primary, Dieppe Bay Primary and Bronte Welsh Primary.
“We are proud to have once again partnered with the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis as it continues to encourage young people in our community to embrace technology as they pursue excellence in education,” said Sean Callanan MVB, MRCVS, CertVR, PhD, DipECVP, FRCPath and Dean of RUSVM.” The use of technology is prominent on our campus at RUSVM. As we prepare our students to be globally competitive veterinarians, we want to encourage young students to embrace their education in science and technology.”
“The Ministry of Education is pleased to collaborate with the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in the upgrade of primary school information technology spaces. This partnership aligns well with the Ministry’s strategies to integrate information and communication technologies in teaching and learning to enhance student success and equip learners with key 21st century competencies,” said Honourable Shawn Richards, Minister of Education.
AUC, RUSM and RUSVM are part of Adtalem Global Education, which also includes Chamberlain University, the largest nursing school in the United States. Adtalem is active with corporate charitable contributions and volunteer activities in locations around the United States and globally, including donations made by the Adtalem Global Education Foundation.
