Healthy Start By First Off-Shore Medical School

The All American Institute of Medical Sciences (AAIMS), in Black River, St. Elizabeth, staged its inaugural graduation exercise on December 4, in which 19 Pre-Medical and 34 Pre-Clinical students graduated.

The AAIMS, which is Jamaica’s first off-shore private medical school, opened in 2011 with an enrolment of six students.

This was made possible after Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, signed the Charter giving it legal authority to grant degrees in the medical science field.

Chairman of the Board at AAIMS, Educator, Dr. Simon Clarke, says from the onset, the Management of the school established world class standards and the achievements so far have been very impressive, especially given the fact that it is Jamaica’s first ever off-shore medical school.

“The AAIMS is seeking to develop the standard of medical care in the Caribbean region. We offer not only medical care, but dental and veterinary medicines and other professional health education programmes as well. The AAIMS continues to work closely with the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ), in developing and maintaining the highest possible standards,” he notes.

“For this young institution to have achieved so much is so short a time is due in no small measure to the support we received from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and the Ministries of Labour and Social Security and of Industry and Commerce. JAMPRO was also instrumental in getting this Black River Campus off the ground,” Dr. Clarke adds.

He says that members of the Black River community have owned and supported the AAIMS, which has been guided by the Academic Dean, Dr. Sheila Campbell Forrester.

Meanwhile, the Governor-General has expressed delight at the achievements of the AAIMS.

“During these (three) short years, the AAIMS has achieved so much as you pursue your mandate to provide tertiary level education for students who seek careers in the health sector. I commend the vision which inspires your work and I congratulate the Directors, the Board of Management, the faculty and staff and students for what you have achieved thus far. You have built a solid foundation for your future success,” he said at the graduation ceremony.

The Governor-General said members of the Board at the AAIMS have demonstrated that they are committed to serving the institution in order for it to remain true to its mission, vision and especially its mantra of “medical education par excellence.”

In the meantime, Dr. Campbell Forrester said there is much to celebrate and rejoice as the institution graduates its first batch of students, adding that the AAIMS has been carving out its own historical space in Jamaica as an institution which delivers high quality training in the medical field.

“We continue to build, strengthen and grow the institution, shaping the minds of our young people to become the best doctors and scientists. We provide quality education for our students, so they can become knowledgeable, competent, compassionate and emphatic doctors,” the Academic Dean said.

“Already (the students) are showing qualities of service above self and are visible in the community, offering care at the home for injured policemen and women, and at the infirmary,” she noted.

Dr. Campbell Forrester cited the vision that went into the establishment of the AAIMS in the historic town of St. Elizabeth – the first town to have received electricity and running water in Jamaica – and now the first to host the island’s first off-shore private medical school.

The student population at the AAIMS now stands at 127, with students from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Nigeria, The Bahamas, Kenya, Barbados, Bermuda, the United States, Canada and India.

There is almost a 50:50 ratio in the distribution of students between the Pre-Medical and Medical Programmes.