Xavier University School of Medicine is a leader in medical education and is inspiring its student leaders to make an impact in the community. Through campus programs and international organizations, Xavier students are giving back to the community by making connections and embracing their publicly professed oath to “pledge their life to the service of humanity”.  This month, we sat down with Dr. Elizabeth C. Carey, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Professor of Behavioral Sciences to learn about the exciting community connections and the positive impact they are having on the residents of Aruba and the medical students.

 Connecting Community to the Classroom

Dr. Carey has dedicated her life to the education and service of others. For nearly 30 years, she has worked in higher education and inspired her students to work within their communities to address disparities in education and health care, and to empower students to make change. Her background in neuropsychology, research and testing is proving to be a winning combination for Xavier. Since joining Xavier, Dr. Carey has made an impact both on Xavier’s campus and in the surrounding community. “Not all learning happens in the classroom. Volunteering provides a connection between the classroom and real-life experiences. The students learn many valuable skills by interacting within the community.”

The value of giving back

Beyond the beauty of the island, Aruba has many underserved communities in need. Dr. Carey explains that community service raises students’ awareness to social justice issues and disparities in healthcare. The student organizations work with populations from pediatric to geriatric, as well as immigrants and other underserved populations. “Medical school is hard and through core studies and volunteer work, students are engaging in lifelong learning. They learn about themselves and in doing so, become capable and culturally competent doctors.” Read on to learn about the many student organizations and clubs at Xavier and the latest events that are taking the medical school experience to the next level.

Student Government Association (SGA)

• President: Kamal W. Khan
• Vice President: Racquelle Idlebird
• Secretary: Michelle Sherwin
• Treasurer: Maulik Vyas

The purpose of the Student Government Association is to govern all campus clubs and organizations, and to increase communication between the student body and the Xavier community. Here are some of their latest events:

• The ‘Spooktacular’ Halloween party—which was a huge success.
• The Mary Joan Foundation 5K Walk/Run, in collaboration with Family Medicine Interest Groups (FMIG). Students and faculty participated in a “wear pink day,” to raise money for the cause. Through donations and the selling of pink shirts and pink desserts—including pink cotton candy—the SGA raised over $5,000.
• A Thanksgiving lunch happened on November 24 where all members of the Xavier community got together to eat, catch up and create a “Thanks-Giving Tree” where students and faculty shared what they are grateful for.
• Xavier Day—a fun day of activities and sports for students to work on team building and health/wellness before taking their exams.

Student National Medical Association (SNMA)

• President: Fedny Agelus
• Vice President: Hloni Senoamadi
• Secretary: Kajal Sivia
• Treasurer and Social Media Coordinator: Dimple Mazumdar

The Student National Medical Association is committed to supporting minority medical students and increasing the number of culturally and socially conscious physicians. The SNMA addresses the needs of underserved communities which also include the geriatric and pediatric populations. Here are some of the upcoming events that the SNMA is planning:

• Online workshops to address disparities in health care.
• Guest speaker Dr. Nienke will give two lectures on dementia in February which will be followed by a volunteer day with residents at a local assisted living facility.

American Medical Students Association (AMSA)

• President: Shaon Deb
• Vice President: Farhan Ahmed
• Secretary: Luke Wilson
• Treasurer: Keitaro Hirano
• Event Coordinator: Rupinder Bains

Known as the largest and oldest independent association in the United States, the American Medical Students Association allows medical students to network, connect, and participate in events with over 30,000 students throughout the United States and globally. This is a valuable connection to help students build their résumés, network for residencies, and learn what they need to know in order to pursue their area of specialty. Here are their latest events:

• Fundraiser for Mary Joan
• Supporting Scrubble Bubbles—an organization in Aruba dedicated to engaging youth in oceanic conservation activities
  • Beach cleanup effort to foster an economic and ecological impact on the island.
  • The AMSA group will assist Scrubble Bubbles in their reef seeding program to help rebuild Aruba’s coral reefs and combat global warming.

Career-focused clubs

In addition to national and international organizations, medical students have the opportunity to join clubs that are career-focused and geared toward their area of medical specialty. Here is a list of the specialized clubs at Xavier, along with snapshots of what they are planning and learning:

Psychiatry and Neuroscience Group

This group explores mental health and wellness through discussion, guest speakers and practical applications. Students can learn to administer psychological and cognitive assessments and conduct patient intakes. There will be a guest speaker coming soon to discuss criminal psychopathology and substance abuse.

• President: Michelle Maware
• Vice President: Nate Krugliak
• Treasurer: Maulik Vyas
• Event Coordinators: Myra Popal, Nina Entcheva, Ojaswini Bhullar
• Secretary: Natalia Schettino
• Research Coordinators: Reilly Booker and Nate Krugliak

Here are the events this group has planned:

• Working on Mental Health Awareness Day and educational prevention pamphlets for the local hospital website.
• Learning how to administer cognitive assessments and intakes.
• The group is exploring opportunities to bring in a guest speaker from the U.S. to discuss addiction and psychopathology.

Surgical Interest Group (SIG)

• President: Shaon Deb
• Vice President: Nina Entcheva
• Secretary: Luke Wilson
• Treasurers: Michelle Maware and Asdrubal Marcano
• Event Coordinators: Priscilla Koolman and Dimple Mazumdar

The Surgical Interest Group supports likeminded individuals who wish to pursue the challenging career pathway of surgery. The group is putting together surgery-related workshops, guest lectures and conferences to share knowledge with the Xavier community. The group is currently practicing suturing under the instruction of faculty.

Pediatric Medicine Interest Group (PMIG)

• President: Aruna Misir
• Vice President: Chelsea Ndumu
• Treasurer: Shravani Manda
• Events Coordinator: Emad Asasfeh

The Pediatric Medicine Interest Group promotes awareness and education of health behaviors to the local community through health fairs and prevention campaigns. Topics the group has tackled include proper nutrition, health and fitness and combating obesity. Here are a few of the many activities that PMIG is involved with:

• Recently created Halloween decorations for children in the hospital.
• Planning a Thanksgiving activity at a local orphanage.
• Planning a secret Santa exchange with children at the local hospital.
• Assisting Dr. Busari with his ‘Jump 18 Program’ which addresses childhood obesity and diabetes.

Internal Medicine Group (IMG) – NEW

• President: Katherina Eldick
• Vice President: Neha Aqeel
• Secretary: Deepika Punshi
• Treasurer: Anthony Eldick
• Event Coordinators: Anthony Iskander and Simarjot Kandola

This group recently conducted a health fair at Aruba Pension Fund (APFA) where students performed blood pressure checks and measured cholesterol, glucose and body mass index (BMI) levels.

Sports Medicine Group (SMG)

• President: Hany Metwaly
• Vice President: Stephanie Chikvashvili
• Secretary: Gabriella David
• Treasurer: Asdrubal Marcano

The Sports Medicine Group provides students with exposure to the field of sports medicine and career guidance through workshops, presentations and participation in sporting events. Here is information about an event the group is planning:

• The SMG will be holding a Xavier Sports and Health Day in January. In collaboration with social services, the SMG will bring children to Xavier’s residential campus where they will play sports, go swimming and learn about health and nutrition. This fun-filled event will feature music, activities and several educational programs for child enrichment.

Obstetrics and Gynecology Group (OGG)

• President: Shravani Manda
• Vice President: Daler Kaur
• Secretary: Shereece Picotti
• Treasurer: Rupinder Bains
• Events Coordinators: Megan Kotsko and Priscilla Koolman
• Editor: Gabriella David

The Obstetrics and Gynecology Group provides students with career options in the healthcare field by holding interactive simulations and promoting women’s health through networking with our peers/alumni and doctors in our community. Here are some of the events that the OGG is planning:

• A women’s health fair on November 26, where more than 60 patients are expected to attend. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) will be present. This health fair—as well as all others—are conducted under the supervision of Dr. Davies.
• The OGG is working in conjunction with the psychiatry group to design pamphlets on post-partum depression.

Family Medicine Group (FMIG)

• President: Kamal W. Khan
• Vice President: Prabhleen Lakhanpal
• Secretary: Hiba AbuShawish
• Treasurer: Shravani Manda

The Family Medicine Group provides a platform to learn basic clinical skills to assist during clinical rotations. Students will learn prevailing disease patterns and preventive measures. The FMIG also assists the SGA with planning its events and supporting its mission. The health fairs of the FMIG promote teamwork, peer review, application of medical knowledge, and leadership:

• Two health fairs were held in October and November.
• The FMIG group sponsored and participated in the Mary Joan Foundation Walk/Run.

Emergency Medicine Group (EMG) – NEW

• President: Hiba Abu Shawish
• Vice President: Shannon McGovern
• Treasurer: Aaron Zakes
• Secretary: JP Lachat

This group ran a first-aid station for the Mary Joan Foundation Walk/Run and are supporting local events with emergency medical services. This group will also provide a training in Basic Life Support (BLS) in January.

Student/Faculty Research Group (SFR) – NEW

• President: Alan Adams
• Vice President: Kevin Ram

This group is still in its infancy but has big plans! Currently this group is planning an annual Research Day in January where students and faculty will be judged by doctors and community leaders on a presentation of their research. An awards ceremony will follow. This group displays award-winning research projects around campus, as well as faculty research.

Xavier offers a host of clubs and organizations that suit the many career interests of the students. These student-initiated organizations provide opportunities for the students to get involved in the community, practice their skills, and make an impact. The foundation of Dr. Carey’s passion for making community connections lies in fostering compassion, teamwork and altruism. “Volunteering helps develop key skills from Xavier’s integrated medical curriculum and fosters medical students’ resilience and helps guide with career choices.”

Are you ready to get involved? Take your medical school experience to the next level. Contact Dr. Carey at ecareyphd@xusom.com for more information.

Congratulations! You’ve decided to pursue a medical degree in the Caribbean. But now the bigger decision and question is: Where? With so many factors to consider—including the cost of tuition, location, accreditation, and the residency match rate (which are the big ones)—the process can be overwhelming.

The good news is that at Xavier University School of Medicine (XUSOM) in Aruba, we offer what some other medical schools don’t. If you’re looking for a fully accredited medical school with lower tuition costs, high pass rates, and a tropical location that is second to none, look no further than XUSOM. Do we have your attention yet? Get ready to learn why choosing XUSOM can set you on a path to making your dreams of becoming a doctor a reality.

More affordable than other Caribbean medical schools

Did you know that attending medical school at XUSOM can save you thousands of dollars in tuition costs when compared to that of other Caribbean medical schools that are accredited and approved by New York State? And the costs are even higher when you compare them to U.S. medical schools.

As you can see in the chart above, XUSOM’s entire MD program costs $189,100 per year versus other Caribbean medical schools which cost upwards of $250,000. As you can see, attending XUSOM is an affordable option for living your dream.

Scholarships, grants and loans

At XUSOM, we believe cost shouldn’t get in the way of pursuing a medical career. Our primary goal is to make quality medical education affordable to as many students as possible. That’s why we offer several flexible financial aid options to students and parents which will assist in meeting their financial needs. These include:

• Eleven different scholarships (which can cover up to 50% of tuition)
• Grants
• Student loans (available for the full cost of attendance)
• Veterans can access G.I Bill benefits by applying to the Veteran’s Administration to determine eligibility

Personalized attention

One of the greatest benefits of attending a Caribbean medical school like XUSOM is the small class sizes. Our 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio provides students with a more intimate classroom experience which allows for more opportunity to work hands-on with faculty. This contrasts dramatically to larger medical schools where students feel lost or invisible in large lecture halls. Through small- and team-group teaching, our students have more opportunities to:

• Contribute to class discussions
• Absorb more material
• Understand coursework more thoroughly
• Receive encouragement and more personalized attention
• Learn from classmates

Fully accredited

In 2015, XUSOM received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission of Colleges of Medicine (ACCM). This independent not-for-profit accrediting organization, based in the Republic of Ireland, is regarded by the United States Department of Education as applying comparable standards as those used to accredit medical schools in the U.S. Additionally, XUSOM has received approval from the New York State Education Department and the Medical Board of California. And, XUSOM is also listed in the “World Directory of Medical Schools,” which is a requirement for students to be eligible to take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). These vital recognitions enable our graduates to secure exceptional residencies and become licensed physicians throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Read more about why Caribbean medical schools like XUSOM are a very real, excellent choice in our blog, “Debunking Myths About Caribbean Medical Schools.”

Attentive, caring faculty

At XUSOM, our faculty and staff are committed to the success of their students. They use proven methods of learning that ease each pupil into the program. This gentler approach helps build students’ confidence and provides a comfort factor to help them successfully advance through the program. Additionally, the faculty work hard at putting in the needed time and effort to ensure that students fully understand the material and succeed in the classroom.

Learn more about how XUSOM supports its students’ success as well as employs proven methods of learning in our blog, “What to Expect in Medical School: Dr. Gopi Shares Insight on Xavier’s Commitment to Student Success.”

Proven student success: Numbers that speak for themselves

Ask any medical student what his or her top goals throughout medical school are, and they will tell you that it is to pass the USMLE and ultimately match for residency. As for us, it’s about it seeing our students succeed—right up until graduation! Here’s how our numbers break down:

• 95% first-time USMLE Step One pass rate (July 2021-present) —preparation for Step One begins on the first day of class.
• 92% student retention rate—Students love Xavier from the moment they step on campus. And we do everything we can to keep it that way.

New residential campus

Last fall, we opened our new Poola Residential Complex. This beautiful and modern residence community offers students their own fully furnished bedrooms in a two-bedroom suite with a bathroom, shower, and kitchenette. Each unit is equipped with air conditioning, cable TV, high-speed internet and 24/7 security. Other perks include:

• On-site laundry facilities
• Shuttle service
• Parking
• Full-service cafeteria
• Pool
• Sports and recreation facilities
• Convenience store

Idyllic location

You couldn’t ask for a more beautiful surrounding to study medicine. Aruba’s virtually perfect weather provides students with the calm they need to excel. The dry climate means it rarely rains, and the cool breezes keep the temperatures from becoming too hot. And, very importantly, Aruba sits outside the hurricane belt—which is a big deal. Lastly, travelling to and from the island is convenient, as there are direct flights available everyday from the U.S. and Canada.

A word from our students

how do our students feel about their experience? Check out what a few of them have to say:

• “Xavier gave me the opportunity to pursue my dreams. I chose Xavier for many reasons—the accreditation, the affordable price range for each semester and the quality of life in Aruba.”

—Jessica Audet, General Surgery (Montreal, Canada)

• “Xavier University gives you the foundation you need to succeed, and you are held to such a standard that there’s nowhere else to go but up.”

—Andrea Hernandez, Internal Medicine (Trinity, FL)

• “With a shuttle to take us between the residential campus and academic campus, two great dining halls and a beautifully well-kept garden and pool, I can invest my time and energy into my success in medical school while also having a great work-life balance.

—Dimple Mazumdar, MD 1 (Ontario, Canada)

Pursuing a medical degree form Xavier University School of Medicine can turn your dreams into a reality. Apply today.

Dr. Akwasi Achampong is an Internal Medicine specialist in New York and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Long Island Jewish Medical Center and South Nassau Communities Hospital. He is also a current member of the Xavier University School of Medicine Board of Trustees.

Dr. Achampong traveled to the US from Ghana at the age of 21 with his parents to pursue a better education. He eventually graduated as a pharmacist from Long Island University and began his career at Merck Pharmaceuticals. But he wanted to do more in the medical field. “While practicing as a pharmacist, I realized that my knowledge in patient care was not enough and therefore I decided to further my education in the medical field and specifically as an internist to build a better capacity to take care of people.”

After receiving his medical degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Achampong went on to obtain a residency at the Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. After his residency, he joined Roselle Medical Office and practiced as an internist, later moving on to open a private practice at Elmont Medical PC on Long Island. He is also the President of the Baldwin University College in Ghana.

Dr. Achampong joined the Organization for International Development (OID) to provide medical care for the underprivileged in developing countries. “I felt the need to help people learn how to take care of themselves and others,” he said. “Medicine is a very good career to pursue because you get to witness humanity at its worst and best. You are able to give yourself to help solve other people’s problems. You get to give back to society in your own way.”

Proud of how Xavier University has championed increasing diversity in medical school and the field as a whole, Dr. Achampong added, “Diversity is a very important aspect of our lives. Countless people enter into medical facilities in search of health care – people from different ages, races, religions, cultures, languages and genders. It’s great for anyone to see someone like them within the healthcare workforce.”

Congratulations! You’ve been accepted into medical school. Now reality sets in: You’re on your way to becoming a doctor. As a result, your emotions may be taking over as to what lies ahead. It’s normal to feel nervous and a bit uneasy. After all, it is medical school. But the good news is that your hard work and dedication to your future career has brought you this far. So, what can you expect in medical school?

This month, we sat down with Dr. Gopi, associate professor in the Department of Physiology and chair of the curriculum committee at Xavier University School of Medicine in Aruba for his keen perspective on what students can expect from the program, and the ways in which Xavier is committed to their success every step of the way.

Easing into the program

There’s no denying that medical school is hard. Dr. Gopi explains how students may well feel a bit overwhelmed at first, since medical school is most likely their first exposure to such a vast and challenging curriculum. “At Xavier, we take a gentler approach,” said Gopi. “The curriculum is designed to ease our students into the program. This not only helps build the students’ confidence but provides a comfort factor to help them advance throughout the curriculum.”

Here are some of the ways Xavier supports their students’ success:

• Begin with fundamental concepts—First year students begin learning the basics of medicine (MD1). This helps ease them into the curriculum and prepares them as they advance to more challenging courses in the program.
• Provide academic and non-academic support services—Each Xavier student is assigned a mentor. This support service is crucial for when students need someone they can trust with their academic and non-academic concerns.
• Counseling services—Some students may face challenges and feel depressed, overwhelmed, or stressed out. Xavier offers counseling services for psychological issues, when or if a student needs them.

Proven modes of teaching

For the past five years, Dr. Gopi has led the classroom in the field of physiology. He explains how the manner in which how a student is taught is just as important—if not more so—than the material itself.

Here is a breakdown of the traditional modes of teaching used at Xavier that are proving successful for its students:

• Interactive lecture—This two-way form of communication is key as it focuses on the students and allows them to interact throughout the lecture.
• Small group learning—Through small group learning, students receive the skills they need for lifelong learning, which in turn provides critical thinking. Students will experience topics that include theme-based learning, problem-based learning, and flip-classroom learning—which is a methodology used to identify any gaps in the learning process.
• Basic sciences—From courses MD1 through MD6, Xavier professors teach from a clinical perspective, much like the way medicine is practiced in a hospital setting. Instruction is focused on preclinical subjects with its relevance to a clinical case, which allows students to connect normal structure and function to its clinical perspective.
• Art of clinical—During the basic science program, students are exposed to nine organ systems. The method of teaching at Xavier ensures that students are learning around the concepts of Integrated Clinical Medicine and Physical Diagnosis (ICMPD) and Objective Structures Clinical Examination (OSCE).
• Clinical Sciences – After completion of USMLE step 1, student undergoes clinical training in various ACGME accredited hospitals for 2 years (Year 3 and 4). Clinical training includes both core clinical rotation and electives. During these years students start applying their knowledge of Basic sciences into their clinical cases.

Dr. Gopi stresses the importance of identifying the best mode of learning for the student. “Not every student learns the same way,” he states. “Some learn more effectively listening to lectures or videos, while others learn better reading the material. Overall, to be successful in medical school comes down to time management.”

Dr. Gopi’s tips for success

As chair of the curriculum committee at Xavier, Dr. Gopi has a keen sense of what methods work best for students who attend medical school. Here are some of his tips for success:

• Attend all classes and lectures—Being disciplined and attending all classes and lectures are paramount to being successful in medical school. Missing even one class can cause a major setback in a student’s studies.
• Be attentive during class—Come to class prepared and be attentive to the material being presented. Dosing off or daydreaming will only cause students to fall behind.
• Connectivity—While listening to the lecture, Dr. Gopi suggests connecting the topic to a real-life situation. This methodology helps keep each student stay connected to the material in his or her own way.

Dr. Gopi’s shares advice to students

The faculty and staff at Xavier are committed to the success of their students. As a dedicated member of the Xavier faculty, we asked Dr. Gopi to share his thoughts and to offer any advice he would like to offer current and prospective Xavier medical students.

“The life of a medical student can be challenging. Every student—at one point or another—will feel like they are burned out. This is normal. When this happens, I advise my students to take a day off from their studies and do something that it is relaxing and brings them joy.”

Is becoming a doctor in your future? If you have a passion for medicine but aren’t sure how you can make your dream a reality, then now is the time to think about applying to a Caribbean medical school like Xavier University School of Medicine in Aruba. Our graduates have obtained ACGME-accredited residency appointments in nearly every medical specialty and subspecialty at world-renowned teaching hospitals and leading medical centers across the U.S. and Canada. Apply today.