The Pulse AAIMS Newsletter

Volume II Issue 7

April 07, 2013 was World

Health Day, and in acknowl-

edgment of this important

event, a group of students

from AAIMS, under the tute-

lage of Dr. Stanhope Max-

well, provided free blood

pressure checks to the gen-

eral public, under the interna-

tional theme of ‘High Blood Pressure.’

Every year on April 07, the World Health Organization (WHO)

invites the world to pay special attention to a particular disease.

Nexus to this, the WHO also publishes a report containing inter-

national statistics on the disease in focus.

Hypertension, which is also known as high blood pressure, has

always been a global health issue. According to the WHO 2013

report on high blood pressure, hypertension contributes to heart

disease, stroke and kidney failure, as well as premature mortality

and disability.

Known also as the silent killer,

hypertension rarely causes

symptoms in the early stages

and many people go undiag-

nosed.

The report further states that

complications of hypertension

accounts for 9.4 million deaths

worldwide every year. It also

mentions that hypertension is responsible for at least 45% deaths

due to heart disease, and 51% of deaths due to stroke.

According to the report the increasing

prevalence of hypertension is attribut-

ed to population growth, ageing and

behavioral risk factors such as un-

healthy diet, harmful use of alcohol,

lack of physical activity, excess

weight and exposure to persistent

stress.

The team

from AAIMS

being cognizant of this report erected a

table at the Intown Supersave Supermar-

ket on April 06, 2013, where they offered

free hypertension checks.

The team saw over fifty persons during

the three hour period, these individuals

were not only checked but were also pro-

vided with medical counseling and referrals where necessary. The

MD students in attendance displayed high levels of enthusiasm as

they learnt much from the experience in patient relations. MD

students Xesubel Hernandez, Samantha Wilkins and Guild Presi-

dent Anthony Ogini appeared to have mastered well the art of pa-

tience and compassion as they interacted with the grateful pa-

tients.

May 27, 2013

May 20, 2013. In execution of a mission to

“to coordinate resources necessary to de-

liver excellent medical education leading

to generating physicians that will serve the

community, and to form lifelong learners

committed to excellence, faith, leadership

and service, “All American Institute of Med-

ical Sciences (AAIMS) advances toward opening its scheduled clinic,

which is located near to the High Street entrance to the campus.

Spearheading the project is Dr. Stanhope Maxwell, Dermatologist and

Senior Lecturer at AAIMS. The projected medical team will include

Dr. Maxwell for Dermatology related services, Dr. Owen James for

general medical care, Dr. Norman Glen Day for general surgery, and

Dr. Tonia Dawkins. Specialist physicians will join the team as neces-

sary.

The Clinic’s main mandates include the

provision of practical, hands-on training for

students enrolled at AAIMS. Students learn

by doing, and there is much value in expos-

ing students from early in their studies to the

practical application of academic theory. Additionally, the clinic will provide medical

service to staff and students at AAIMS as

well as to the general public.

It is the hope of the institution that

as this new initiative contributes to

the more practical side of the stu-

dents’ medical education; it will be a

catalyst for the cultivation of a love

for service. Through this initiative

AAIMS hopes to expose students to

the balancing act of being a physician.

Faculty and students alike are thrilled with this project, and for the stu-

dents it is somewhat overdue. “We’re happy to see that this is coming

to fruition. I’m really ecstatic about it and I look forward to having that

interaction, for me my lessons will make more sense as they find appli-

cation,” one student said.

The clinic will have three examination rooms, a general waiting area

and a pharmacy. It is also a vision of AAIMS that as it increases health

care options in the Black River community, a spin off will be economic

growth for the Parish of St. Elizabeth and Jamaica in general. The offi-

cial opening of the clinic is greatly anticipated.

World Health Day: "Hypertension focus” AAIMS Clinic: Coming soon...

66 High St, Black River, St. Elizabeth Tel: 876- 634- 4068 www.AAIMS.edu.jm

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AAIMS student, Anthony Ogini

AAIMS student, Xesubel

Hernandez

AAIMS student, Saman-

tha Wilkins

It’s in your blood to save a life

World Blood Donor Day

May27, 2013 Volume II, Issue 7

The Caribbean is prone to

experience certain disasters

such as hurricanes, earth-

quakes and tsunamis and in

light of this, on March 14,

2013 AAIMS held a seminar

on natural disaster prepared-

ness so that students and fac-

ulty alike would be made

aware of these disasters as

well as what to do should

they occur, for this seminar, special attention was given to tsuna-

mis.

Mr. Shane Taylor, Parish Disaster Coordinator, made an engag-

ing and very informative presentation on how one should prepare

for an earthquake, for the aftershocks, or even tsunamis which

could ensue. Jamaica luckily is not within the region where tsuna-

mis are prevalent; however, Mr. Tailor's presentation to members

of the AAIMS Staff had hardly been digested before students and

staff residing on campus were faced with their first series of earth-

quakes and aftershocks.

The Parish Council quickly

made available Mr. Taylor

to share more details of his

presentation exclusively

with AAIMS. During this

presentation on the campus,

Mr. Taylor said that every

organization should know

what to do in the event of an

earthquake or tsunami. He recommended that the services of

agencies such as the Jamaica Red Cross be tapped into for any

such preparation.

In light of a tsunami recovery plan, Mr. Taylor said that organiza-

tions should review major equipment and furnishing and also del-

egate teams with responsibility for different things.

He also advised that in preparing for a tsunami, one should do the

following: be aware of tsunami facts, follow the instructions of

local agencies and Police authority, do not return to the facility

unless told to do so, conduct a building study in order to know

reliable buildings and take to a shelter if one resides or is located

in a tsunami prone area.

The floor was later opened for

questions and the engrossed

audience asked a few, among

the questions asked were

‘considering the speed of a tsu-

nami, how much lead time will

we have to escape a building

located in a tsunami prone area,’ to this he responded by saying

one should plan ahead and hopefully nature gives adequate warn-

ing.

Mr. Taylor in concluding said that the local Offices of Disaster

Preparedness and Emergency Management are in the process of

generating a number of structural and technical plans that will

provide greater security and peace of mind for all who reside in

tsunami prone areas.

On March 21, 2013, the world

came together in recognition of

the 7th annual World Down Syn-

drome day.

Down syndrome is an intellectual

disability that affects many indi-

viduals in different parts of the

world. A person with Down syn-

drome has 47 chromosomes, mi-

croscopic structures that carry

genetic information to determine

almost everything about a person.

Most people have only 46 chro-

mosomes. It’s the extra chromo-

some that can cause certain physi-

cal characteristics (such as short

stature and an upward slant to the eyes) and speech and develop-

mental delays.

Still, people with Down syndrome are a lot like you and me, they

are unique people with strengths and talents.

Meet Mark James Brown, he is the second youngest of nine chil-

dren. His siblings range in ages 15 down to 6 months, 5 boys and 4

girls. Mark was born on March 31, 2003. Early in her pregnancy,

Mark’s mother found an indication that Mark Jr. was at risk for

downs because of her protein level, she refused an amniocentesis

because of the potential risks and because either way he was our son

and termination was not an option. The support of her Christian

family and her faith in God sustained her anxiety as the pregnancy

continued, she received many prayers.

According to Mary, Mark’s mother, the day of Marks birth was

filled with pride and peace. She recalls that after giving birth to her

son the midwife told her he was fine, that there was no down syn-

drome. She knew he was different but loved him anyway. After tak-

ing her son home their lives continued as she and her family knew it.

When Mark turned about 2 months the Doctor noticed a heart mur-

mur and ordered a cardiogram just to rule out everything. A certain

look on the doctor’s face gave Mary that stomach feeling when

something is not right and she started to pray. She was told that day

that Mark had a large VSD in other words he had a hole in his tiny

heart and he would need to be taken to Syracuse New York (NY)

the next day to see a specialist, and he would need open heart sur-

gery.

Mary felt this cloud come over her family but she pressed in to her

prayer life. Within one hour after being in Syracuse N.Y. she was

told Mark had the Downs (Down syndrome).

Mark has come through the surgery successfully, he is alive and vi-

brant and learning at his own pace. He is interacting with "typical

kids" and learns something new each day.

In joining hands with the world in recognition of down syndrome

day, students and staff at AAIMS wore brightly coloured socks and

ties as was prescribed by the world down syndrome day organiza-

tion.

For information on Down syndrome, you may visit the Jamaica

Down's Syndrome Foundation’s (JDSF) official site at

www.downssyndromejamaica.info. JDSF is a non-profit organisa-

tion established in 2007 by Dr. Charmaine Scott to provide assis-

tance to children with Down's syndrome, helping them to achieve

their highest potential by providing an environment of support, re-

spect and acceptance.

In spite of Down syndrome

66 High St, Black River, St. Elizabeth Tel: 876- 634- 4068 www.AAIMS.edu.jm

AAIMS Natural Disaster Seminar

Disaster Coordinator, Shane Taylor

Contributed photo

AAIMS Students involved in Black River Hospital’s Labour Day Project

May 28, 2013. Students from the University of the West Indies (UWI) be-

ing given tour of the soon to open AAIMS Health Centre. (Extreme left)

Dr. Maxwell, Senior Lecturer at AAIMS, (second left) Dr. Dawkins, Medi-

cal Officer of Health at the Black River Health Centre, and the UWI group.

May27, 2013 Volume II, Issue 7

P I C T O R I A L

May 24, 2013.AAIMS gives paint to the Black River Health Centre as a contribution to their La-

bour Day Project. (Extreme left) Dr. Randolph Watson, Director of Student Services at AAIMS,

(second left) Dr. Dawkins Medical Officer of Health (MOH) at the Black River Health Centre and

her team.

May 27, 2013 Volume II, Issue 7

66 High St, Black River, St. Elizabeth Tel: 876- 634- 4068 www.AAIMS.edu.jm

Accounts Department:

Students are being reminded that the cafeteria caters to you and not

the general public; therefore its viability depends on your full sup-

port. Resident students are required to participate in a meal plan.

Registry:

Reminder to all STUDENTS whose outstanding documents are

pending to submit to Registry before Mid Term Examination.

Please contact the Registry of you have any questions or concerns.

We will be pleased to hear from you.

Guidance Counseling:

A stress Management workshop will be held on June 3, 2013 from

1:30-1:00pm in the dining room. Please make every effort to attend.

FYI for your Information

Retake Exam Fees

MD Program $300 per subject

Pre-Med Program $200 per subject

Retake Course Fees

MD Program $250 per credit

Pre-Med Program $187 per credit

Other Fees

Late Registration $300

ID/Access control Card $30

Graduation Fee $650

Transcript Request $10 (per request)

Late Tuition fee payment $150 (applied when past due date)

Loan Processing fee $100 (per application)

Status letter $ 5

Library Deposit $200 (refundable)

All appointments to see the Dean, the Associate Dean, the

Registrar

and Director of Student Services should be made through

Ms Shelley McIntyre or Ms. Omoy Gaynor at Front

Desk.

Students, please make appointments during your break-

times.

Office Of The Registrar

STATUS LETTERS

During your studies, you may be asked to provide information to

confirm your student status. A Status Letter can be requested

from the Office of the Registrar which will confirm your enroll-

ment status. Status letters are prepared for a wide variety of pur-

poses, including:

• work permits • visa applications • health insurance • financial / lending institutions · and much more.

Students who wish to request a Status Letter should complete the

Status Letter Request Form

available from the Registry. The Form includes detailed instruc-

tions on completing and submitting the request.

There is a Processing Fee of US$5.00, which should be paid in ad-

vance to the Bursary. Letters are usually processed and ready for

collection (or mailing) within five (5) business days.

Please contact the Office of the Registrar for further information.

INFORMATION CORNER – OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR

“You may not be able to read a doctor's

handwriting and prescription, but you'll notice

his bills are neatly typewritten. ” Earl Wilson

A n n o u n c e m e n t s