Menu
Trinity is recognized by the government of Canada as a Designated Educational Institution, meaning students can obtain Canadian Student Loans (federal and provincial) to help cover the cost of tuition. Trinity is more than competitive in terms of affordability. We know making the decision to come to a Caribbean medical school is challenging, so we make it our priority to help you succeed.
Scholarships are another crucial component of medical school affordability, both internationally and in North America. Before applying to medical school in the Caribbean, discuss all financial options with your admissions counselor and confirm which scholarships and grants may be available to Canadian applicants. We offer a number of scholarships and grants to Canadian students to help offset the costs of med school. Providing transparent financial information and resources helps students feel confident in their medical school decision; for more information on Trinity’s tuition and fees, read more here or reach out to an admissions counselor
When students consider attending medical school in another country, the first question they have is often “Will I be able to practice medicine back home when I graduate?” At Trinity School of Medicine, the answer is “Yes!”
Trinity’s accreditation with CAAM-HP, the leading accrediting authority for Caribbean medical schools, qualifies our graduates to enter the U.S. and Canadian residency match processes and to become licensed to practice in any U.S. state or Canadian province. Furthermore, the curriculum is based on Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) standards and earns recognition from the World Federation of Medical Education (WFME). Best of all, Trinity meets all standards put forth by the Education Committee for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) 2024 Rule that puts additional restrictions on foreign medical school graduates.
Yes, Canadian students can be eligible for residency and licensing in their home country after graduation from a Caribbean med school. The most important consideration here is whether or not the medical school is accredited by the appropriate governing body and adheres to international standards.
At Trinity, we are accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and Other Health Professions (CAAM-HP), the leading accrediting authority for Caribbean medical schools, which qualifies our graduates to enter residency and become licensed to practice medicine in any Canadian province.
Upon graduating, our students are eligible to take both the MCCQE (Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Exams) and USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Exam) and apply to residency programs in Canada or the United States.
Additionally, Trinity meets all standards put forth by the Education Committee for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) 2024 Rule that puts additional restrictions on foreign medical school graduates.
Canada is home to 17 medical schools and, as of 2020, over 10,000 medical school applicants. Much like the United States, Canada has also seen an increased demand for physicians due to shortages in key medical specialties such as family medicine.
However, Canadian medical school applicants may find it difficult to gain admission due to the limited number of available spots in Canada’s medical schools. Canadian schools further complicate the process by reserving matriculant spaces for in-province students, making cross-country admissions even more unlikely. This is where Caribbean medical schools offer a potential solution by providing an opportunity for aspiring physicians to receive their Doctor of Medicine degree and become licensed to practice medicine in North America.
Caribbean medical schools can offer a variety of programs and concentrations tailored to the needs of Canadian applicants. These include basic medical sciences, clinical rotations in North America, public health courses, research opportunities, electives, and more.
When researching Caribbean medical schools, look for accredited institutions that offer a curriculum that is comparable to North American schools. You’ll also want to make sure that your medical school of choice provides early, frequent clinical training opportunities to prepare you for residency and beyond. Canadian students at Trinity are eligible to do “away electives” in Canada to gain direct experience working in Canadian hospitals. This type of clinical training will not only help students as they apply for residencies back home, but also prepare them for working as full-time Canadian physicians following their residencies.
Caribbean medical schools are not all identical. The advantages that Caribbean schools might offer for Canadian applicants will vary based on the quality of the school, its faculty and staff, and the opportunities the school provides.
At Trinity, we offer a variety of unique benefits to Canadian applicants. Our Caribbean medical school offers a more intimate learning environment than many North American schools. In addition, we offer several “away electives” in Canada, allowing you to further your education in your own backyard.
The curriculum of Caribbean medical schools is in many ways similar to those of North American universities. For example, the curriculum at Trinity School of Medicine is modeled on the U.S. medical school educational standards and focuses heavily on early clinical exposure as well as traditional lectures and seminars.
The transfer of credits from a Caribbean medical school to a Canadian medical school depends on the type of program and institution. In general, most universities will accept course credits from accredited Caribbean medical schools as long as they meet their academic standards. Additionally, many institutions offer special transfer programs that allow students to apply credits earned in one school toward a degree at another. It is important to check with your prospective school for details about their transfer policy before enrolling in a Caribbean medical school, particularly if you plan to transfer at some point.
All students planning to enter residency in Canada or the United States should first make sure that their Caribbean medical school of choice is appropriately accredited by the CAAM-HP.
However, the best Caribbean medical school for Canadian students depends on the applicant’s individual needs and goals. There are no official Caribbean medical school rankings, so applicants should conduct their own research, including asking Canadian alumni about their experience during and after med school.
At Trinity, we know that the Canadian medical student experience is unique. Our Canadian Advisory Board is here to help. Our Canadian Advisory board is headed by Dr. Paul Cooper who is a Neuro Professor in Western University School of Medicine. Together with other successful alumni, the board helps Canadians match into Canada by giving them an in-depth review and recommendations for their electives to help them match into a Canadian Residency.
The cost of tuition for Caribbean medical schools is generally lower than for other medical schools across Canada and the world. The exact amount depends on the school and program.
When considering your medical school financial plan, look for Caribbean medical schools that are considered Designated Educational Institutions by the Canadian government. This designation qualifies Canadian citizens to receive federal and provincial student loans to attend medical school, making the cost considerably more affordable for many students.
Scholarships are another crucial component of medical school affordability, both internationally and in North America. Before applying to medical school in the Caribbean, discuss all financial options with your admissions counselor and confirm which scholarships and grants may be available to Canadian applicants.
At Trinity, we offer a number of scholarships and grants to Canadian students to help offset the costs of med school. Providing transparent financial information and resources helps students feel confident in their medical school decision; for more information on Trinity’s tuition and fees, read more here or reach out to an admissions counselor.
When people think of the qualities that make an excellent physician, they may not think of artistic talent. Dr. Gbemisola Johnson reminds us that passion for art and for healing can coexist to produce an outstanding doctor.
This edition of our alumni spotlight shines a bright light on Dr. Andrea Bodale. Originally from Arizona, Andrea attended Baylor University, earning a B.S. in Biology. Constant family visits to the hospital coupled with her desire to help others feel heard, eventually led her to pursue a career in medicine. Dr. Bodale is now in her final year of residency as a Chief Family Medicine Resident at her top choice program
In this edition of our alumni spotlight, we are proud to showcase Dr. Allison Laffoon. Dr. Laffoon's desire for medicine was sparked when her younger brother was diagnosed with severe autism when he was just 5-years-old. She recalls the countless doctors' appointments, tests, and other factors that eventually led to her brother's diagnosis. Her interest in medicine stems from these experiences as a young child. Laffoon attended the University of Iowa and received her MD from Trinity in 2018. She is now a general surgery resident at the University of Texas Health - San Antonio.
According to a recent study in Sweden, being born into a family where one or both parents are physicians greatly increases the likelihood that the children will also become physicians. For doctors and sisters Maye and Nada Mohamed, that certainly rings true. Both Dr. Maye Mohamed and Dr. Nada Mohamed are graduates of Trinity and we recently had the pleasure of sitting down with them to talk about their experiences as students, graduates, and healthcare providers.
At a recent White Coat Ceremony, Dr. Humphrey gave a testament to how Trinity shaped him into the physician he is today, saying “I was able to achieve my dream career goals through Trinity. I went to a top internal medicine academic institution and one of the top infectious disease programs in the US, especially in tropical medicine research."
When we asked Dr. Brielle Cartwright what inspired her to go into medicine, she said the answer was simple: "Wanting to advocate for mental health patients who cannot advocate for themselves." Now, as a Psychiatrist, she works hard to help her patients maintain their mental and emotional stability and provide an underserved population with the care they deserve.
From an Insider – Balancing Med School and Family Life
Join us on Wednesday, October 9th at 8:30 pm EST as we talk to a current Trinity student who manages being both a full-time med student and mom to a toddler! Many parents put their dreams on hold when they have kids, but Trinity student Leah Bruce is a testament to the fact that you can have young kids and fulfill your dreams of becoming an MD at the same time. If you are considering med school but unsure of how it would affect your young family, please join us for this live Q&A event! Discussion topics will include admissions, moving to the island, housing, education opportunities, and how the experience of living abroad for a short period of time can give your little one a heightened sense of perspective and culture. Don’t miss your opportunity to hear how you can achieve your goal of becoming an MD while still balancing family life! Register here!
From an Insider – Dr. Misbha Anjum
Join us on Monday, October 21st at 8:30 pm EST for another “From an Insider” webinar as we speak with Trinity grad and General Surgery resident, Dr. Misbha Anjum. A Texas native, Dr. Anjum attended undergrad at the University of Houston and she is now completing her residency at Trident Medical Center in North Charleston, South Carolina. Dr. Anjum’s special interests include critical care/trauma. Don’t miss your opportunity to ask a Trinity grad your own questions! As someone with a background in the tech industry, Dr. Anjum will be able to speak about gathering the courage to change careers, family support, balancing relationships with med school, as well as the things that make Trinity different than any other Caribbean med school. So whether you’re interested in hearing about island life, housing, clinical facilities, or the match process, we hope you’ll join us for this enlightening conversation. Register here!
From an Insider – with Dr. Sean Dodenhoff
Join us on Wednesday, October 30th at 8:30 pm EST for our next “From an Insider” webinar as we speak with Trinity grad and family medicine physician, Dr. Sean Dodenhoff. Dr. Dodenhoff attended undergrad at the University of Nevada, Reno, and completed his family medicine residency at the University of Kansas/Wesley Family Medicine, where he served as Chief Resident. He is now practicing family medicine in Fair Oaks, California. Dr. Dodenhoff is excited to share the details of his time at Trinity and talk about how the school set him up for residency success. We hope you'll join us to hear Dr. Dodenhoff speak about the volunteer opportunities available to Trinity students, the tight-knit community, early clinical experience, rotations, and the residency match process. Attendees will also be able to ask their own questions and have them answered live! So whether you’re interested in hearing about island life, housing, clinical facilities, or practicing in California as an IMG, we hope you’ll join us for this informative conversation. Register here.
Study medicine in the Caribbean with supportive faculty, a low student-to-faculty ratio, warm weather, and early clinical experience. Get started on your path to becoming an MD and apply today!
Office of Admissions & Administration
Basic Science Campus, St. Vincent