The Pulse AAIMS Newsletter

Volume II Issue 10

On Saturday, July 5,

2013, seven (7) students,

along with Ms. McIntyre

visited the Santa Cruz

Infirmary to make a

small contribution to the

infirmary, as well as

spend some time with

the residents. During the

visit, we met a United

States missions group, from the Church of Christ, who

informed us that they normally visit the infirmary twice a

year. After introductions were made, we joined them in

order to get the most

from our visit. We

both engaged the

residents with a praise

and worship session.

We then spent time

interacting with the

residents, listening keenly, while they shared their stories

and assisting them when and where

possible. Later we

embarked on playing a

very competitive

game of dominoes

with some of the

male residents, which

was great fun.

Overall, we had a great day and for the students who were

visiting for the for first time, all indications suggest that

they had a humbling and enjoyable experience.

A few of the items donated by our group:

Toiletries

Cleaning Agents

Adult Pampers

September 30, 2013

Two weekends after, on

September 14, 2013, an

orientation trip to YS Falls

was conducted.

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AAIMS embarks on

a New Semester

The Guild’s Successful visit

to the Santa Cruz Infirmary

Contributed by Joanna Pascal - MD 4 Student

66 High St, Black River, St. Elizabeth Tel: 876- 634- 4068 www.AAIMS.edu.jm

Guild Leaders, Mr. Ogini & Ms. Pascal present The Matron with their donation

The AAIMS visiting group with the Matron

The AAIMS Administration WELCOMES

all new and returning students

to the Fall 2013 Semester.

On September 2, 2013, AAIMS welcomed

thirty-one new students, as well as returning students for orientation

and registration exercises.

September 30, 2013 Volume II, Issue 10

The Council of the Guild of

Students on August 8,

2013, hosted their end of

semester meeting in the

form of a banquet. This in

partnership with the

AAIMS administration

served as the Guild’s final

social activity before end of

semester exams. It was a celebration of all the successes, the

Guild achieved, during the summer 2013 semester. It also served

to honour the cohort four (4) students, who have embarked on

the next phase of their medical journey, in preparation to take

their USMLE exams and later begin their clinical rotations. The

event, which was scheduled for 5:00pm, unfortunately had a late

start, in order to accommodate students who had a class

presentation. Despite this minor setback, the event proved to be

a great success.

One by one, students and staff filled the dining room and were

greeted by the encouraging and humorous words by the master of

ceremonies, Mr Desmond Samuels. Other encouraging words

followed through the messages given by the Dean, Dr Owen

James, the Associate Dean of Administration, Mrs Lois Robinson

and the Student’s Services Director, Dr Randolph Watson.

Soon after the speeches were given, a meal of rosemary chicken,

rice, pasta and vegetable was served. While we dined, the disc

jockey Mr Stefan Lue-Lim, provided a soothing musical selection.

After the main course, the programme continued with reports

made from each Guild leader. Here, we heard accounts of all the

Guild achievements and possible plans, going forward. The

leaders also distributed thank you cards and certificates to those

who continuously supported the Guild’s activities. The banquet

later ended after the vote of thanks was read and dessert of cake,

ice cream and jello was served.

66 High St, Black River, St. Elizabeth Tel: 876- 634- 4068 www.AAIMS.edu.jm

Brain Teasers The first AAIMS student, to submit correct answers to the

following five questions, will receive a prize. GOOD LUCK!!!

1. Who was the first AAIMS Guild President and where is he/she

from?

2. What is the term for the study of cells?

3. Fill in the blanks: ____________ is the balance that is maintained

in the body. { Metabolism, Homeostasis, Anabolism }

4. Which of the following is NOT one of the four main types of

tissues? {Basement, Epithelial, Connective, Muscle}

5. TRUE or FALSE - Approximately 20% of the entire body’s blood

is in the heart.

Please email your answers to shelley.mcintyre@aaims.edu.jm

FOR FUN - UNSCRAMBLE THESE WORDS

CMOTCLYEO

Hint: Excision of the colon

BOGAEMHONLI

Hint: Contained in red blood cells

MESPIHERYES

Hint: Excessive vomiting

AAIMS in partnership with a local credit union has now established a way for

Jamaican students, pursuing the AAIMS medical program, to get access to a loan.

This will enable them to receive up to 6 million Jamaican dollars to fund their

education, over the four (4) or five point four (5.4) year period.

What makes this facility different from many other loans offered by other financial

institutions, is the opportunity for students to start repaying the loan six months

after they have completed their degree. In addition, the interest rate is 14% per

Annum. If you are interested in learning more about this please speak with the

Student Services Coordinator, Ms. Shelley McIntyre .

Loan Facility Secured

for Jamaican Students

The Guild Council holds Banquet For Students

September 30, 2013 Volume II, Issue 10

On Saturday, July 13, 2013 at 6:00 pm, the AAIMS library was transformed into a musical stage, for the first play, ever to be performed on campus. The musical entitled ‘Hidden Secrets’, was written by Ms Alaine Ainsley and represented the collective ideas from the executive members of the Christian Fellowship at AAIMS, Mrs Zayniah Delchot, Mr Chibueze Ezeibe, Ms. Amelia Cunningham, Ms Allyson Williams, Ms Alaine Ainsley and Mr. Donald Jones (Student Advisor). This unforgettable and thought-provoking musical followed the lives of three unique young women, Monica Daniels, Shelly Andrews and Angela Francis, who unknowingly shared one thing in common; a secret that could change their lives forever. MONICA DANIELS, played by Mrs Zayniah Delchot, attends the local church Bethel Praise where she met JUSTIN DANIELS (Anthony Ogini) the Pastor’s son and Youth Pastor at church and after dating for 3 years, they were married. Despite the loving and a questionably honest relationship that she has with her husband, she has kept her discreditable past a secret. Will their marriage survive? Will they be able to trust GOD for a breakthrough? ANGELA FRANCIS, played by Ms Amelia Cunningham, grew up in a troubled home where her mother died of breast cancer when she was 15 years old and a virtually non-existent relationship with her father. She is currently enrolled in university and lives

on campus with her childhood best friend SHELLY and also attends Bethel Praise where she is paired up with MONICA in a mentorship program. Will she be able to stand strong or will she crash and burn in the process? Will MONICA be able to help her, will she be able to trust her? SHELLY ANDREWS, played by Ms Alaine Ainsley, is ANGELA’s best friend, growing up in a Christian family she was brought up to have a firm confidence in her faith but upon attending university that very same faith is tested. A seemingly loving relationship soon turns sour as her boyfriend CHRIS WHITE (Mr Jerome Townsend) begins to show his true colours and real intentions; discussions became arguments and their love became war. Throughout all of this, it’s her friendship with TREY THOMAS (Leon Reid) that keeps her encouraged as he tries to lead SHELLY back to her first love, Jesus Christ. Will she be able to regain her lost relationship with Christ? Will she stay with CHRIS? Will TREY still be her shoulder to cry on? Is it

too late to start again? Supporting actors and actresses included Joanna Pascal as ASHLEY TAYLOR, Natoya Wilmot as MONICA’S MOTHER/ MAXINE BROWN, Desmond Samuels as PASTOR DANIELS, Asheika Williams as NURSE BETTY and WAITRESS 1, Kemani Chambers as WAITRESS 2 and ANGEL DANCER, Ally-son Williams as ANGEL DANCER and Mr Donald Jones as DOCTOR SAMUELS. The play which included countless musical numbers including Tamela Mann’s Take me to the King, Mary Mary’s I can’t give up now and Tasha Cobbs Break every chain, ended with indescribable gladness, unspeakable joy and most importantly with individuals accepting Jesus Christ. The musical, which was free of cost, was well supported not only by students

but also staff, community members, family and friends and for that they are truly grateful. The AAIMS Christian Fellowship is currently selling commemorative Hidden Secret DVDs and would love to have your support. If you wish to preserve this once in a life time production, be sure to get a copy or maybe two from any member of the executive body. Thanks to every-one for your continued support, keep on watch for what the Christian Fellowship has in store next.

66 High St, Black River, St. Elizabeth Tel: 876- 634- 4068 www.AAIMS.edu.jm

Canadian Professor, Dr. Mitchell Abrams,

delivers Radiology Lecture

During a recent trip to Jamaica,

Dr Mitchell Abrams was invited

to lecture to a collective group

of MD

students.

As a

trained

radiologist,

Dr Abrams

is the Interim Chief of Diagnostic Imaging

at the Cambridge Memorial Hospital in

Ontario, Canada. He is also an assistant

professor at Michael G. DeGroote Medical

School.

On July 30, 2013, in a session that spanned three hours; Dr

Mitchell held our attention through his informative

presentation on Radiology. Through the aid of various scanned

examples, he discussed how CT & MRI scans could be

interpreted. This allowed the students to see how an

experienced doctor in the field would go about making certain

diagnosis.

Before leaving, he treated us to an

impromptu guitar

performance, of a

song he wrote,

inspired by Robert

‘Bob’ Marley. He

was later thanked

by the Dean, Dr.

Owen James and

was also presented

with a small token by the AAIMS

Guild Executive. It was indeed a

pleasure having him here and we look

forward to his next visit.

Christian Fellowship hosts their First Musical Contributed by Alaine Ainsley, MD 5 Student

September 30, 2013 Volume II, Issue 10

To do well in any field, one must be determined and dedicated.

For the field of medicine, it is no different. However, some would

recommend that medical students study for up to 10 hours per day

(which is inclusive of lecture time). It is for this reason; I implore

you students, to not be gripped by the hands’ of idleness. After all,

they are only twenty-four hours in a day.

From the first week of classes, hit the ground running, prepare

each day, read up on topics before the set lectures and read over

notes at the end of each day. Create a study schedule and begin

honing study skills, so that it becomes a habit, a natural part of

each day. It is also crucial for you to start practicing test questions,

even before an exam is insight.

Apart from this, as future doctors, it is important for you to be well

-rounded individuals. The field is more than just suture kits, wards

and surgeries. It is also about how you work with others and relate

to individuals on a one to one basis. As such, I call for you all to get

involved. Yes, the main reason for your education is to study and

maintain great grades but one must work to maintain a balance

between academic pursuits and extracurricular activities. Whether

it is taking a swim in the pool, batting a few tennis balls or just

engaging in an outreach activity, one will feel a sense of relief

before heading back to the books.

One must also remember that

you make up the AAIMS Guild of

Students and as such, it is

important that once free time

also include being involved in

Guild activities. The Guild

Executive plans many activities

over the course of the semester,

from playing a vital role through

community out- reach, raising

necessary funds through various

fundraisers, as well as taking a

break through leisure events.

You will find that maintaining

Guild involve- ment will ensure

you fulfil the most from your

AAIMS university experience.

In addition, besides Guild activities, they are a few clubs and

societies you can be involved in. These include the AAIMS

Christian Fellowship, USMLE club and the First Aid Medical

Emergency (F.A.M.E) club. Other clubs have recently been formed

this semester, such as the Foreign Language club. There are also

many opportunities for you to display your leadership abilities.

This is by finding others with similar interests, and forming clubs

that are not yet on campus. For more information on this, be sure

to visit the Student Services Coordinator, Ms Shelley McIntyre.

66 High St, Black River, St. Elizabeth Tel: 876- 634- 4068 www.AAIMS.edu.jm

International Coastal

Clean-up Day

Maintaining the Balance

between Work & Play

Meet Joanna Pascal - Outgoing Guild Vice President Joanna is a 2nd year medical student from the beautiful Spice Isle Grenada, most recently known for its 400m Olympic Gold Medalist Kirani James. Joanna received her Bsc in Life Science at St. George’s University in Grenada and later joined the world of teaching where she taught Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics for 2 years at Secondary School level. She then began teaching at The Higher Marks Educational Centre where she taught for 4 years and is still considered a part of the teaching faculty there.

She has a passion for volunteerism and has a long history of involvement in several voluntary

organizations such as Girl Guides, Red Cross, Caribbean Youth Volunteer Services, All4Christ

Evangelism Group among others. She is a natural hair enthusiast and is doing her bit to impact the

natural hair community in Grenada by hosting natural hair events to educate and empower others.

In her spare time she enjoys travelling, sharing my faith, reading, hashing, meeting new people,

learning about new cultures. One of her goals is to get involved in medical missions, which she is

getting more excited about as she gets closer to completing her medical studies. Joanna Pascal - AAIMS Student

Guild, Outgoing Vice President

& MD4 Student

International Coastal Clean-up

Day was celebrated on the 21st

of September this year. In

honour of this annual outreach

activity, AAIMS partnered

once again with the Rotary

Club of Black River, in order to

clean up the coastal area of the

town.

AAIMS was represented by twenty-two students (22) and at around

7:30 am joined the group which also consisted of Interact club

members from the Black River High School. The group was further

divided into smaller groups in order to facilitate the data collection

process, of documenting the garbage collected. This activity lasted

for a minimum of three hours.

Dr. Stanhope

Maxwell

stands in

front of the

soon to be

opened

AAIMS

Medical

Centre

September 30, 2013 Volume II, Issue 10

Education has long been

recognized as a driving

force for change and

development. Educational

tourism is one of the ways

in which education can be

used to influence develop-

ment and investment in

the Jamaican economy. So

says Dr Ram Chalasani,

United States-based exec-

utive director of the All

American Institute of Medical Sciences (AAIMS), an offshore

medical school in Black River, St Elizabeth.

Educational tourism is a concept of tourism motivated by the

desire to learn. The tourist experience is only secondary to the

educational aspect, which becomes the main feature of the

experience.

"Knowledge services is the main key I'm looking at in the

future. In most of the countries like Canada or Singapore or

Dubai or even the US, they take it (education) as a big income-

generating [activity], and that's how they increase their

economy," said Chalasani.

Increased visitor arrivals

Chalasani believes that an investment in institutions of higher

learning in the country could increase visitor arrivals to the is-

land. He said this is so as individuals are constantly seeking to

advance their education and may have the desire or need to

study overseas. He said those who may not be able to afford at-

tending a tertiary institution in the United States, Europe, or

other countries may consider the island as an option if we have

the facilities to offer a high quality of tertiary-level education.

The doctor said when compared to the length of stay of a visitor

who comes for leisure and business purposes, a student who

spends years in Jamaica is continually contributing to the

economy of the country.

He also said that there needs to be added emphasis on

increasing educational opportunities in rural Jamaica as this

would not only draw in foreign revenue, but would cause a

redistribution of the economy from the urban areas to rural

areas, which need development as well.

"AAIMS is looking at what we could do for Black River and St.

Elizabeth - something they could benefit from. We need to have

the economy moving, flowing, and when the students come in,

they're going to stay for two years minimum. We have students

who are going to stay for two years rather than a visitor that

comes in for three nights. Every overseas student that we have,

their parents have visited; their friends have come to visit.

"Even if the students aren't coming from abroad - our thing is

to get more students from abroad eventually - even students

not from overseas, when they were living in Kingston, they

were contributing to Kingston. Now, there is a shift of economy

from one place of Jamaica to another, a redistribution to a

place that needs it," he added.

AAIMS, which started in January 2011, is an offshore medical

school where foreign students train before returning overseas.

It was started with about six students. Dean of the school, Dr

Owen James, said the school has been growing and there have

been some changes since the school's establishment. The school

offers a pre-med programme as well as a medical degree

programme.

66 High St, Black River, St. Elizabeth Tel: 876- 634- 4068 www.AAIMS.edu.jm

Medical school director urges investment

in tertiary institutions Written by Launtia Cuff (Gleaner Writer)

This article was originally published in (Jamaica) on Saturday, September 14, 2013

See the virtual link for the article HERE

MD 4 student,

Xesubel Hernández

does a blood

pressure check.

From left: US-based Executive Director of AAIMS, Dr Ram Chalasani; AAIMS Associate Dean of Administration, Lois Robinson; Minister of

Health, Dr Fenton Ferguson; AAIMS' Dean, Dr Owen James

Premed students in the lab

September 30, 2013 Volume II, Issue 10

66 High St, Black River, St. Elizabeth Tel: 876- 634- 4068 www.AAIMS.edu.jm

Campus Snippet

Jerome, Leon & Edgar in a heated domino game with one of the male residents

Visiting professor, Dr. Mitchell Abrams poses for a quick picture with AAIMS senior lecturer,

Dr. Stanhope Maxwell

Amelia, Alison and, Kemani performing a dance, during ’

Hidden Secrets’

The cast of the musical ‘Hidden Secrets’

Alaine, Joanna & Anthony poses with a member of the mission group

AAIMS students a part of the Black River Parade

Mr. Russell assists Mrs. Welsh, in cutting her birthday cake

Attentive students, during the Radiology presentation with Dr. Abrams

The cast of ‘Hidden Secrets’, shared

space with the

audience, for a

section of their play

Bon Voyage Mrs. Falconer & Ms. Smart

Pre-med students, stop to capture banquet memories

Joanna cuts birthday cake with classmates Cleaning up after the banquet

Ms. Chevelle Wincester

Medical supplies

donated to the clinic by AAIMS

students, Joanna

Pascal, Tashaine Campbell and Basit Salou.

September 30, 2013 Volume II, Issue 10

66 High St, Black River, St. Elizabeth Tel: 876- 634- 4068 www.AAIMS.edu.jm

Accounts Department:

Students with outstanding balances are being reminded that their

accounts must be settled by Mid Term Examinations.

Students are being reminded that the cafeteria caters to you and

not the general public; therefore its viability depends on your full

support.

Student Services:

All students who have not shown proof of personal insurance are

required to sign up for the school’s health insurance policy. The

DEADLINE for doing so is October 4, 2013.

Registry:

All new and returning students are being reminded to ensure that

all outstanding documents are submitted before Mid Term

Examination.

Library:

STUDENTS are being asked to return library books that have

been found missing from the library.

FYI for your Information

Retake Exam Fees

MD Program $300 per subject

Pre-Med Program $200 per subject

Retake Course Fees

MD Program $250 per credit

Pre-Med Program $187 per credit

Other Fees

Late Registration $300

ID/Access control Card $30

Graduation Fee $650

Transcript Request $10 (per request)

Late Tuition fee payment $150 (applied when past

due date)

Loan Processing fee $100 (per application)

Status letter $5

Library Deposit $200 (refundable)

All appointments to see the Dean, the Associate

Dean, the Registrar & Director of Student Services

and Admissions, should be made through Ms.

Tiffany Gillespie or Ms. Shelley McIntyre

at the Front Desk.

Office Of The Registrar

STATUS LETTERS

During your studies, you may be asked to provide information to

confirm your student status. A Status Letter can be requested

from the Office of the Registrar which will confirm your enroll-

ment status. Status letters are prepared for a wide variety of pur-

poses, including:

• work permits • visa applications • health insurance • financial / lending institutions · and much more.

Students who wish to request a Status Letter should complete the

Status Letter Request Form

available from the Registry. The Form includes detailed instruc-

tions on completing and submitting the request.

There is a Processing Fee of US$5.00, which should be paid in ad-

vance to the Bursary. Letters are usually processed and ready for

collection (or mailing) within five (5) business days.

Please contact the Office of the Registrar for further information.

Like success, failure is many things to many people. With a Positive Mental Attitude, failure is a learning experience, a rung on the ladder, a plateau at which to get your thoughts in order and prepare to try again.

~W. Clement Stone

A n n o u n c e m e n t s

INFORMATION CORNER