Trinity Medical Students Join World Pediatrics Ophthalmology and Plastic Surgery Mission

For medical students, there is no greater teacher than hands-on experience. At Trinity, students have the unique opportunity to engage in early clinical exposure through partnerships with esteemed organizations like World Pediatrics (WP). This collaboration provides a rare and invaluable experience—allowing students to shadow seasoned physicians, observe intricate procedures, and witness firsthand the life-changing impact of specialized pediatric care.

Through WP missions, Trinity medical students step beyond the classroom and into a real-world clinical environment, interacting with patients who travel from across the Caribbean for critical medical treatment. These experiences deepen their medical knowledge, reinforce their passion for medicine, and shape the kind of compassionate physicians they aspire to become.

Firsthand Experiences: Students Reflect on Their Journey

Understanding Pediatric Challenges in the Caribbean

Trinity students participating in WP missions gain direct exposure to the unique healthcare challenges faced by pediatric patients in the Caribbean. For Term 4 student Thejan Welgama, this experience provided a wealth of clinical insight:

“Attending this clinic, I was able to gain first-hand knowledge of some of the widely prevalent pediatric concerns of the Caribbean population. The doctors we shadowed were as compassionate in teaching as they were in treating their patients, especially Dr. Nadia Blanchet, the Plastic Surgeon. I observed a high number of Gynecomastia cases among teenagers, some of which were follow-ups from surgeries from previous years and some new ones.”

Beyond surgical cases, Thejan had the chance to observe rare genetic conditions such as Turner Syndrome and Treacher-Collins Syndrome, further broadening his understanding of pediatric medicine. The experience, he notes, was “immensely valuable” to his medical education.

The Human Side of Medicine: Seeing the Impact on Patients

For Term 3 student Spencer Potter, volunteering with WP was not just about medical exposure but about witnessing the transformative power of compassionate care:

“This project gave me the opportunity to be introduced to non-profit healthcare early on in my medicine journey while showing me the positive impact physicians have on patients. Dr. Blanchet showed me the impact plastic surgery has on a patient's confidence... I will never forget the radiating smiles each patient had while in the treatment room.”

Spencer was particularly inspired by Dr. Brown’s work in pediatric ophthalmology, which gave children a chance to regain confidence in their appearance and social interactions. Seeing how children’s lives were dramatically improved through surgical interventions solidified her desire to follow in the footsteps of these dedicated physicians.

A Passion for Medical Outreach

For Leonie Ramkaran, Term 4, the WP mission strengthened her commitment to serving underserved communities.

“We had the opportunity to learn about some rare genetic cases that we would never have expected to see... Seeing a person living with said condition, getting help to improve their condition, and seeing the result of that directly is nothing short of a miracle.”

Leonie described the experience as “heartwarming”, reinforcing her desire to one day return as a physician offering her own services through medical outreach.

A Reinforced Commitment to Pediatric Care

For Term 4 student Seth Alsagoff, observing pediatric plastic surgery and ophthalmology cases cemented his passion for medicine:

“It was truly inspiring to witness their dedication as they worked to transform the lives of children in need. Many of these young patients faced congenital conditions, trauma-related injuries, or vision impairments that affected not just their health, but their confidence and ability to experience the world fully.”

Seth saw firsthand that medicine is not just about treating conditions—it’s about restoring hope and improving quality of life. His experience with WP broadened his appreciation for specialized pediatric care and the profound impact of skilled, compassionate healthcare.

A Unique Opportunity for Trinity Medical Students

Trinity’s partnership with World Pediatrics offers an unmatched clinical experience early in medical training. Students don’t just observe medicine in action—they become part of a global effort to provide essential care to children in need. Through hands-on learning, direct patient interaction, and mentorship from experienced physicians, Trinity students gain a deeper understanding of both medicine and humanity.

For aspiring doctors, these moments serve as powerful reminders of why they chose this path—to heal, to serve, and to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.

What the WP Is About 

Since 2001, World Pediatrics has provided thousands of children with access to lifesaving and life-changing care, facilitated training for hundreds of local healthcare workers across disciplines, and worked with governments and hospitals to develop system capacity, and resources and advocate for health policies. 

World Pediatrics conducts ten medical missions in St. Vincent and the Grenadines every year.  The list includes general surgery and neo-natal clinics in January; ophthalmology and plastic surgery in February; physical therapy between February and March; cardiology in March; orthopedics in April; neurosurgery in June; and urology in September or October. The final mission is a second orthopedic trip specifically to address scoliosis and spinal fusion.   

In recent news, the WP acquired Atlanta-based Childspring International, another nonprofit organization that is dedicated to providing medical care to children in developing countries. 

Giving Back with World Pediatrics

Trinity School of Medicine and World Pediatrics (WP) have a long-standing partnership. Their mission of building a brighter future for local, regional, and international children affords our medical students exceptional training before residency and the opportunity to help and give back to our local community by providing them with healthcare services. 

“It is a pleasure for us at WP to partner with Trinity Medical Sciences University to give much care to our children and more so to have the students participate in these very exciting and knowledgeable clinics that allow them the opportunity to gain meaningful experience and knowledge,” said Sigmund A.D. Wiggins, the WP SVG Program Director.

The students and faculty alike enjoy the breadth of knowledge, experience, and specialties that visit the island. Students frequently remark on the benefit of exposure to areas they hadn’t previously considered for elective rotations or residency, broadening their experience and sense of opportunity post-graduation. 

Check out these videos from past WP collaborations! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN2tAkxwTaU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuL_Cgfygvo
https://studio.youtube.com/video/4EjlViRoBmo/edit