Trinity Medical Students Join World Pediatrics Surgery Mission

At Trinity School of Medicine, the journey toward becoming competent and compassionate physicians is enriched not only by classroom education but also by the invaluable real-world experiences gained along the way. One of the most profound and rewarding opportunities students engage with is through our collaboration with World Pediatrics (WP). This initiative has allowed students to volunteer and observe various clinics, gaining early clinical experience working with children facing diverse medical challenges.

For many, this hands-on experience has been an eye-opening extension of their medical education. Students Ann Abraham, Nailah Samuel, Brandi Garner, and Sabrina Deonarain represented Trinity at this valuable clinic, working under the supervision of general surgery physicians from the United States.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Doctors

Sabrina Deonarain, a second-year medical student, recently observed a World Pediatrics clinic in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. 

Sabrina shares her thoughts on this transformative experience: “I would like to note how personable the doctors were and how they guided each patient and their families effortlessly through their unique situations and circumstances. A variety of cases seen were follow-ups from previous years, and the team remembered each case, despite the multitude of cases they see on a daily basis. It just goes to show how patient care and comfort are pillars of this organization and are traits that I admire and aspire to practice.”

Sabrina’s reflections speak to the essence of what makes the WP clinic experience so meaningful: the ability to see patient care as more than a task to be completed, but as a relationship to be nurtured. It’s a reminder of the importance of not only medical expertise but also emotional intelligence when treating patients, especially children. 

Fostering a Deeper Connection

Another Trinity medical student, Nailah Samuel, along with her classmate Ann, had the opportunity to volunteer and observe the WP clinic at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital in Kingstown, St. Vincent. For Nailah, this experience held both professional and personal significance. 

She shares: “We were able to see a variety of pathologies and patients from across the Caribbean including St. Lucia, Martinique, and St. Kitts. Some cases that we observed included undescended testes, Hirschsprung disease, microcephaly, and diaphragmatic hernia. Dr. Lucas was very willing to teach and answered all and any questions that we had in a way that was easy for us to digest as young medical students. This experience provided an opportunity for me to integrate classroom learning with real-life patients and provided a whole new perspective for me that I really appreciate. It is one thing to learn about diseases and pathologies theoretically, but seeing for myself, in person, has really helped me to make connections. It was also interesting for me, as a Vincentian, to see how many of our Caribbean neighbors rely on this project for healthcare.” 

Also, working along with Dr. Lucas was a Vincentian doctor, Dr. Ellis-Davy, which made the experience even more special for Nailah.

Nailah’s perspective highlights the power of integrating classroom learning with real-life experiences. She particularly emphasizes how the experience offered an entirely new dimension to her understanding of various medical conditions, fostering deeper connections between theory and practice. For Nailah, the opportunity to see how WP is making a tangible impact in the Caribbean—particularly in her home country—was an emotionally fulfilling part of the experience.

For Trinity medical students, these early clinical experiences with World Pediatrics provide invaluable learning opportunities. Not only do they gain exposure to rare and diverse cases, but they also witness the profound impact of compassionate, patient-centered care. These experiences allow students to understand the immense value of collaboration between local healthcare providers and international medical teams. The ability to witness this in action, especially in resource-limited settings, is shaping them into not only more skilled clinicians but also more empathetic and socially conscious individuals.

By working alongside experienced professionals like Dr. Lucas and Dr. Ellis-Davy, and seeing the difference organizations like World Pediatrics can make, students are learning how to approach medicine with an open heart. They are learning that being a great physician isn’t just about diagnosing and treating—it’s about connecting, educating, and most importantly, caring.

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

Giving Back with the 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