[UPDATED] UWI medical graduates urged to 'put patients before profits'

VALEDICTORIAN of the Faculty of Medical Sciences 2024, Selena Deochand says the world needs more than just brilliant minds, it needs compassionate hearts.

Speaking at the UWI St Augustine 2024 graduation ceremony of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the UWI Sport and Physical Education Centre on October 26, Deochand said kindness, empathy and care were necessary for those in the medical profession.

She said the covid19 pandemic forced them to understand what it really meant to be in the medical sciences and she believed the challenges ahead would test all they had learned. She said resilience might carry them through difficulties but compassion would shape their legacy.

“It would have been easier, perhaps understandable, to choose a different path – one with less risk, fewer demands and more predictability. But we didn’t take that route. Instead, we chose to stay. Why?

“We chose to stay because we knew this profession isn’t about what we gain, but rather what we give.”

The pharmacist said what mattered was the lives they touched, the people or animals they helped and the impact they made. She said they had to be “champions for equity” as it was not enough for health care to exist but it had to be ethical, patient-centred and accessible to all.

“Let us remember that our light is strongest when it shines for others, when it serves, uplifts and heals. The world needs us now more than ever, so remain committed to putting patients before profits, innovation over complacency and integrity above all else.”

In his address, honorary graduate Dr Maniram Ragbir told the graduands whatever medical path they choose to take, it should be one they liked, and in which they could work hard and leave the world in a slightly better condition than they found it. Ragbir was given an honorary doctor of science degree for his work as a plastic/ reconstructive surgeon.

He had been recognised for his pioneering work in spare-part surgery. He was the chair of the Specialist Advisory Committee for UK Plastic Surgery, the executive in charge of national selection for plastic surgical training and was the first Caribbean person to be president of the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons.

Even as he thanked his family and former teachers, he said they could not achieve anything significant by themselves and encouraged them to thank their friends, families, communities, those who inspired them, teachers and UWI staff for helping them get to the point they were at.

Ragbir also encouraged them to think about their next step and told them to continue learning, getting experience, being inquisitive, open-minded and persistent. He told them not to accept things as the status quo and to not let the fear of making mistakes stop them from pushing their boundaries.

“I have been involved in some great developments in my time. I have seen changes in micro-vascular construction. I have seen changes in robotic surgery. But I am most excited to see what you, the graduates of 2024, can and will achieve.

“And if you continue to work hard, you will do things that will make the present generation look like they have not achieved anything at all.”

Speaking at the ceremony, UWI St Augustine chancellor Dodridge D Miller said UWI was pursuing a global strategy even while there were local problems to address, because it was necessary to view the world as a large interconnected global space.

“The UWI, even with its limited resources, cannot afford to view the world only as a local or regional construct. To do so would fail its graduates and ultimately fail the region.

“We must continue to engage the rest of the world and participate in important research and conversation of matters of global consequence.

“By doing so we will continue to produce graduates wit the academic competence and the critical and strategic thinking to operate in any environment of their choosing.”

Miller added that new academic regalia was introduced for UWI officers to wear at formal ceremonies. He said it was first introduced in the 1960s but was redesigned to “better represent our Caribbean identity and symbolise yet another break from colonial ties.”

He hoped it showed them they were part of a “vibrant heritage” that refused to accept the status quo.

“So I urge you, class of 2024, embrace this moment, stand tall in your achievements and let your resilience and success light the path for future generations.”

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

VALEDICTORIAN of the Faculty of Medical Sciences 2024, Selena Deochand says the world needs more than just brilliant minds, it needs compassionate hearts.

Speaking at the UWI St Augustine 2024 graduation ceremony of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the UWI Sport and Physical Education Centre on October 26, Deochand said kindness, empathy and care were necessary for those in the medical profession.

She said the covid19 pandemic forced them to understand what it really meant to be in the medical sciences and she believed the challenges ahead would test all they had learned. She said resilience might carry them through difficulties but compassion would shape their legacy.

“It would have been easier, perhaps understandable, to choose a different path – one with less risk, fewer demands and more predictability. But we didn’t take that route. Instead, we chose to stay. Why?

“We chose to stay because we knew this profession isn’t about what we gain, but rather what we give.”

The pharmacist said what mattered was the lives they touched, the people or animals they helped and the impact they made. She said they had to be “champions for equity” as it was not enough for health care to exist but it had to be ethical, patient-centred and accessible to all.

“Let us remember that our light is strongest when it shines for others, when it serves, uplifts and heals. The world needs us now more than ever, so remain committed to putting patients before profits, innovation over complacency and integrity above all else.”