Free Public Lecture on "Health Effects of Air Pollution"
Saturday, Nov 15, 2008 at 4.00pm, Amphitheatre A, Mount Hope

In recognition of World COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Day, Professor Parameswaran Nair of McMaster University will deliver a free public lecture at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. Lots of free giveaways!

Professorial Inaugural Lecture: Professor Paluri Murti
"I Love Tobacco. Is it Harmful to my Mouth?"
Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008 at 5.30pm, Amphitheatre A, Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex

Whilst a layman in the modern era knows tobacco use is pleasurable, perhaps even harmful in a general sense, not many users are aware of the adverse oral health impact to a user. Professor Murti has worked on these aspects extensively for over two decades. His presentation will outline evidence from his research on what harm it can do to the mouth and whether such deleterious effects could be minimised or even eliminated with suitably devised strategies. All staff, students and the public are invited.

School of Advanced Nursing hosts Symposium celebrating launch of Nursing Oncology Programme
Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 at 1.00pm, Amphitheatre A, Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex.
The School of Advanced Nursing Education, Faculty of Medical Sciences will host a special symposium celebrating the launch of their new Nursing Oncology Programme. Professor Sandra Millon-Underwood PhD, RN of the University of Wisconsin will make a presentation titled “Current Management of Cancer in Women”, while Dr. Terry Mason, Commissioner Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPGH), Illinois will make a presentation on “Current Management of Prostate Cancer”.

Welcome Function & Workshops for New and Returning Graduate Students
Welcome to our new graduate students and to our returning students – welcome back! This is an exciting time as we work towards our strategic goal of expanding and improving graduate studies.
This year we have organized a welcome function where you can meet the people who will guide and assist you during your studies. We will also provide opportunities for you to further develop your academic and research skills through a series of workshops that will cover topics ranging from "developing a conceptual framework" to "how to manage your supervisor".

We want to keep you updated on news and developments, so be sure to activate your UWI email account at mysta.uwi.edu and check our research webpage for updates on research in the Faculty and information on scholarships and research funding.

Best wishes for a successful year!

Visit to the University of Texas Medical Branch

Dr. N Thompson, M Phil student of the SVM, UWI, St. Augustine visited the university of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas, USA from January 26 to February 25, 2008 where she received training in various arboviral diagnostic techniques. The tests included the Haemagglutination Inhibition Assay (HIA), Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISAs) and Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT). She also received training in various cell culture and plaque assay techniques.

Thanks to the Campus Research and Publications Fund (grant no. CRP.5.NOV07.5) and the staff and students of the UTMB, Texas, for their support. 

Project title: Seroepidemiology of Selected Zoonotic Arboviral Infections in Horses, Livestock and Wildlife in Trinidad and Tobago.

Nadin Thompson, M Phil Student in Veterinary Public Health, SVM, UWI, St. Augustine and Professor Scott Weaver of the Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Texas, USA.	Nadin Thompson in the Center for Tropical Diseases, Keiller Pathology Building, UTMB	Nadin Thompson of  SVM, UWI, St. Augustine at work in the Keiller Pathology Lab, UTMB.

Medical and Counselling Mobile Unit for Medical Sciences Students
The UWI Health Services Unit has made a Medical and Counselling Mobile Unit available for the students of the Faculty of Medical Sciences on Thursdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p. m. at the General Practice Clinic, Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mount Hope beginning from Thursday 5th June, 2008.

To make medical appointments please call Ext. 2149 and to make counselling appointments please call Ext. 2491 or email counsellor@sta.uwi.edu

UWI Schools of Medicine and Dentistry take the Oath
The University of the West Indies (UWI) Faculty of Medical Sciences will host an Oath Taking Ceremony for the Schools of Human Medicine and Dentistry on Sunday 15th June, 2008 at Amphitheatre A, Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex from 3:45 p.m. This year the Oath Taking ceremony coincides with the 60th Anniversary celebrations of the Faculty of Medical Sciences and the University of the West Indies.

Professor Paluri Murti, Director of the Dentistry School will lead the taking of the Dentistry Oath, while Dr. Premchand Ratan, Senior Lecturer, School of Medicine, will lead the Medicine Oath. Prizes will be given to students who have received exceptional examination results in the areas of Anaesthetics, Surgery, Community Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Medicine, Orthopedics, Child Dental Health, Oral Diseases, as well as for Best Overall Performance.

The Honourable Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Social Development, will be the Feature Speaker at this event, while the Honourable Dr. Fitzgerald Jeffrey, of the Ministry of Tertiary Education, will present a special opening address. Pro Vice Chancellor and Campus Principal Professor Clement Sankat, Professor Samuel Ramsewak, Dean Faculty of Medical Sciences will also be key speakers at the ceremony.

This event is open to staff, graduating students, parents and alumni of the Medical and Dental School by invitation only. A cocktail reception will follow the ceremony.

Full Accreditation for Medical School
The Medical School of the University of the West Indies on all four campuses has been certified as fully accredited. The accreditation exercise was completed in July 2006 and is the first full accreditation exercise for the Medical School since 1983. [more]

Innovations in Medicine
Everyday, across the globe, countless new discoveries are made which have the potential to benefit our lives in ways too numerous to count. It would be easy to take for granted that these discoveries are exclusive to the more developed nations of the world. But what a misconception that would be. In our very own Caribbean corner, scholars and researchers attached to The University of the West Indies too, either working independently or in partnership with cross University teams or external institutions, are unearthing new knowledge and pioneering innovative solutions to some of the most challenging issues threatening our very existence. [more]

UWI Telehealth Programme
The UWI Telehealth programme ushers in a new era in health care in Trinidad and Tobago and is provided by the Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS), St. Augustine Campus of The University of the West Indies (UWI) in collaboration with the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto Canada. [more]