Two Dominicans are among the recipients of top awards at the All Saints University School of Medicine’s 18th White Coat ceremony for 15 students held at their Roseau location on Saturday.
The White Coat ceremony marked the transition by these All Saints students from the study of preclinical to clinical health sciences.
Donna Dodds received the Valedictorian award, as well as Top and Overall Best student.
Asheibba Lloyd got the runner up award.
The Special award for extra curricular activities went to the All Saints Football Team.
In her address as Valedictorian, Dodds urged her fellow students to remain focused on their goal.
“Ever so often we have heard our professor say to us medicine is hard work you have to work hard. It’s only going to get harder from here.” she cautioned.
“I don’t know about you but I certainly believe them…what we’ve all come to experience first-hand throughout our course of studies things will always go wrong opposed to what we planned but you have to keep focused. Be prepared and don’t quit. I believe the key is to keep our eyes on the goal, and never lose sight of it. If you want something give it all you’ve got,” she stressed.
Minister for Health Julius Timothy, who spoke at the ceremony, said the Princess Margaret Hospital welcomes the students as professionals and will seek to provide hands-on experience to them.
“This event emphasizes the importance of merging your newly acquired scientific proficiency gained over the past four semesters to the need to demonstrate compassionate care for the patients you must treat. We will welcome you as professionals as we seek to provide each of you with some hands on experience. We believe in the ability of each of you to carry on the noble tradition of doctoring”, he said.
The seven Dominicans among that group are: Keevian Burnette, Donna Dodds, Darrell Federick, Asheibba Lloyd, Sylvana Shillingford, Smith Telemacque and Velma Valmond.
Congratulation to the kalinago students we are proud of you all,wish you all the best of luck in your endeavors
Is Donna single? Beauty and brains. A girl like her I need in my life. Congratulations to Donna and all her colleagues.
Congrats to all the Dominicans who have made it this far.Special congrats to Darrell and Velma…all the best in your clinical rotations aspect of your studies.
well done asheibba…always a very bright young lady!
Congratulations to you Donna. I taught you at school and I am extremely proud of you. I am happy to have contributed to your academic makeup and I believe that no doubt you will make it. You were always a serious student. Continue to keep your focus, trust God, pray and work hard and you will reap the rewards indeed!!!
I am extremely delighted by the success of our kalinago comrades: cousin, friend
the community in its own way is proud of your achievement
Congrats to all the doctors in the making. Special congrats to Velma and Darell, your kalinago people are proud of you. Remember the sky is the limit, specialty is the need these days so go for it. Keep focused on the goal and give all the glory to God.
Great job my kalinago students this is the way to go, who say kaliango cannot achieve. There is a medical facility already waiting for you all. and it is well equipped, more than the main one in at p.m.h.Go guys go.
Congrats Smith! You’ve always said you wanted to be a medical Doc. You did it! Proud of you.
Now thats progress. Keep up the good work!
Donna!, Congrats! And to your parents, I say, you have instilled confidence in your children,and I say “hats off”.
Donna, continue doing what you love best,to work hard to achieve.
Congrats again.
donnnnaaaaa so proud of u…and asheibba as well. classmates doing big things
Congratulations Ladies. As a former teacher of the CHS I’m in the lest bit surprised. These were bright and dedicated students. I also want to extend congratulations to the other students who made it this far. Keep the faith.
* least* (typo)
Two from Possie, Keevie and Sylvana, congrats to you. I dont know for th eothers but these two come from single parent families and their MOMS did a great job! I am so proud.
isnt asheiba from portsmouth to?
Congratulations to all the students!
The White Coat ceremony marked the transition by these All Saints students from the study of preclinical to clinical health sciences.
This suggests that they are still studying. Can someone please clarify
Beginning
Congrats to all the students. Stay focus this is just the bringing.
Congratulations to the students on their accomplishments. Best wishes for a successful future career.
Reasons to smile.
Congratulations to everyone of you. It is obvious you have studied hard and are now reaping the fruits of it. Determination and perseverance have seen you through. Good luck in your future studies and employment. God bless!
Congrats!
“The White Coat ceremony marked the transition by these All Saints students from the study of preclinical to clinical health sciences”
Okay, it seems as if I got sort of a mixed up, reading it back, it seems they have just completed premed school, if in fact they only had two years, pre-clinical to health science seems to indicate they are not yet medical graduates.
You see when I went I had to major in Health Science; so in two years I finished as a premed and went on for a another two years, after that two years I could have taken degree and certificate as a health science major and function as a Physician Assistant , I would still have to complete another two years in Medical School, on completion doing my inter, and all that would have taken about six years, to become a medical doctor.
I do not know how it works in Dominica, something is not very clear.
One cannot graduate medical school in less than four years, at lease one cannot become a medical doctor in less than four years, even to become a pharmacist requires more than four years.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
I wonder what school you went to. Your discription indicate that you were not on the same level as these students. They are actually in Medical School. You never even got a bachelors much less acceptance to medical school. Some medical schools do their white coat ceremony during the first year. It just means they are about to do clinicals…actually dealing with patients.
You are really a Canadian moomoo.
They are novices. They should be performing internship. I do believe this is what was meant.
well done! Sylvana Shillingford, the hard work paid off
congrats asheba.
congrats to all of you,you all raise your parents standard.special congrats to miss lloyd.your mother i know is very very proud.well done my girl.
Congratulations to all the African brothers and sisters who attend the Trinity Baptist Church. As you continue to walk with God, I know you will continue to see his work in your life. You all will make it completion.
Susan, Joy and Ediomo.Shakah dance ministry, Ebenezer Praise Worship Team and TBC on a whole pray you thru to success in your career as well as in your ministry and your walk with God.
Again we congratulate you all and we are happy and proud that you all chose to be identified with us. We are proud of your achievements.
Good job keep up the good work may the almighty bless you in all you do
Congrats Smith. Am proud of u.
Congrats to Velma and Darryl, all the best guys!!!!
Congratulations Ms. Donna Dodds, we are extremely proud of you. Keep up the good work and God bless.
The Abraham Family of Woodford Hill
Congrates miss shillingford what did your copy fresh friend ,miss zicack get
congrats to all, but a quick question, why just 4 semesters? that equals to 2 years, doesn’t it take at least 10 semesters=5 years to become a doctor?
This is basic sciences the first phase. then comes clinical 2+ yrs and residency.
@right-on, They have completed the theory and pre med now they are doing the clinicals which means they will be getting hands on experience and they will be assessed. Studying medicine is not 5 years in a classroom. They also have to sit a medical board exam to be the real deal. Hope that helps
Pre-Med then MD
Its 4 semesters badsc science aka txt book work…..1 srmester licensing prep step 1 prep and then 72 weeks in a hospital doing hands on work…..then u get the md after a few more exams
“White Coat Ceremony” Not “Graduation”.
Some medical schools give the White Coat Ceremony before the beginning of the first year. It is just ceremonial to give the first lab coat as they are about to start seeing patients. These students are just about half way through their training. A little search on the internet would help. Three people actually agreed with your statement. Sad!
I am confused. I hope is not no half way doctor they going to give us in Dominica. All Saints need to come out and explain their program. As far as i understand you must first do 2 years undergrad, another 2 years in med. school,then another 2 years doing rotation. it takes about 7 years. so what is going on in DA?
Since when undergrad is two years. Seriously you all need to read more. Bunch of illiterates on here making foolish comments. This is a sad state of affairs.
Contests to all of you…that only show that no matter where we go we excel……this makes the fourth and fifth Dominican to top and excel at allsaints university …..great job
Congrats to all but a special congrats to Miss Donna Dodds and Mr Smith Telemaque(my former Wesmar coach) proud of you both.Keep on working hard
FETE is yet to post he is not yet aware of his Dodds & Telemaque online acheivements posted.
Fete must be in his convertable(one of them) with his hair blowig backwards in the california breeze.Oh we forgot Fete said he losed all his hair. So his nurse’s hair is whose blowing in the L.A breeze. California breezing.
When fete gets wind of that look talk!!
Now he will say I doh saying wee!
Dear Wesley; you are correct, I had not read the total contents before now, I was busy politicking dealing with Wesleyman, and another issue.
Indeed however, I recognized Her Majesty Dodds (Dods), and His Majesty Telemaque,also; I hope they would recognized that there is no “C” in Telemaque.
Telemaque is distinctly French, therefore one does not need a “C” in order to effect the pronunciation, as a matter of fact Telemaq, without “the ue” is pronounced Telemaque because the “ue” is silent in French.
Again if the Valmond, and Bunette are also from Wesley, they too might just have some of my blood running threw heir veins. In any event I am very happy for them all: I feel very proud of them.
One way or another it is not very easy to become a medical doctor, no matter what part of the world one chose to study medicine. I can attest to that, because I been there tried that and failed!
Of course I attempted to become a medical doctor after I had succeed in becoming an Electronic/Electrical Engineer. By the time I decided to change career, and concentrate on medicine, I was already fifty years old, walking on campus with kids less than half my age.
Hahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahah!
Anyway after a visit to Canada, and talking with a cousin whom herself has worked as a medical professional all of her life, in one of her our conversations she ask me” so even if you graduate at this age, what will you do with all the medical education you will gain?
I like a fool listen to her and contend I was feeling burnt out, only because I failed a certain class, I used my age for an excuse and dropped out.
Big mistake, because shortly after that I found out a mother and her son; graduated from the same medical school the same day; her son was forty-two years old, and the mother was almost seventy years old.
According to lady Dods, it is going to get harder: The studies were difficult I am certain; however intern can be very stressful, when one makes it out of internship, they know they are qualified and read to perform their duties.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
I can appreciate a man who know how to laugh at himself
. You should consider proving that cousin wrong.
Why did they give you thumbs down? Do they not have a sense of humor? Your comment is funny. You made me laugh.
I suppose you are referring to Francisco. This rings a bell. If he is the one, he must be busy this weekend. Let us wait to hear his views soon. If he has a sense of humor, he, too, will laugh at your comments. 
congratulations to all the students. Special congratulations to Asheeba. I am so proud of you. Keep on striving for the best. Your granny and aunts in Grand Fond are very happy for you.
congrtas lovely
Congratulations to you Keevian hard work always pays off, I know your mum is very happy and proud of you.Good luck and Gods guidance through your journey.
And to all the rest of your colleagues am proud of you all just put trust in God and He will see you through. La Plaine………
Your other family in Eggleston are so proud of you. Hats off to you my wonderful and brillant neice.
I am so Proud of Donna congratulation u are a very humble person mr Timothy I hope your ministry employs these doctors cause the casualty needs more than one doctor
You go cuzzo…wow congrats donsdons….keep going girl making the family proud
Congrats Ms Dodds ! Your people are very proud pf your achievements God bless you all the way !!
when domincan be glory we the rest proud domincan is glorious
Smith Telemacque what a surprise. good luck my boy and keep it up
special congrats to miss lloyd.we are very proud of you.your mother i know is in sky high.well deserved my niece
Well done! Keep on keeping on…
Is this school accredited?
yes it is…in the majority of states in the U.S.. but not all..
Uh correction it is accredited in the entire us…..however u cannot do clinicals in all the states. Went to this school now doing mt residency in new jersey. Get it right
So where do these students go from here? Is All Saints recognized in the US?
What is wrong with you people? Just congratulate them for their achievements. Life does not end there. Accredited or not, they already have the knowledge. If they decide to travel to the U.S. or anywhere All Saints is not recognized, they can continue their studies and finish in less time.
CONGRATULATIONS FOLKS.
Where else would they go to finish up their medical studies? The US, Canada or the UK of course. U dont think the students research schools before enrolling? Cha!!! Because its a small campus don’t mean it ain’t recognized, this was actually the 18th white coat ceremony. They’re MDs doing residency all over the globe, and they were on Dominica!!
So what? It is not a matter of those countries recognizing or not recognizing their credentials. It is their prerogative to choose to remain in Dominica to work. If they decide to further their studies abroad, they will have to provide their certificate/diploma and will also have to write a relevant entrance exam prior to being accepted for further studies. This will determine how knowledgeable they are in this field. It is the norm for those who did not study and graduate in these countries as doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers, etc. Furthermore prior to working in those countries in their field, they must take a course, write an exam if they wish to be recognized as such.
As an example, a friend from Scotland was an engineer in his country. He was told in order to be offered an engineer position he must first study and write an exam. He opted not to and decided on the job title of draftsman and worked in that capacity.
According to the Canadian system he was not a full-fledged engineer. It is the norm.
It is mandatory that they would not be given a position of doctor or nurse unless they studied, wrote an exam and passed it.
Let me further inform you some people from the third world countries who are well-educated in those fields are not able to obtain employment. Some of them are driving taxis, working in factories and performing other menial jobs if they are fortunate to obtain one. They have complained to the government. There are certain organizations routing for them that they should be able to obtain employment in their field. Some of them are also not proficient in the English language. So, there I hope you learned something.
All the schools big name or not do the same exams for the medical board,so relax.
Congrats to you all. Great job Asheeba aunty is sooooo proud of you.
is now that girl going to act even more fresh!
Jealousy!!!!! Well go to school like her to ve fresh as well.
she has to right to be…..you too felozoffffffffff
some of allu fresh for no damn reason……if she fresh at least she backing it up stuuppessss
Ops…..is this the best you could come up with? I’m sure if she had to, she could have come up with better. CHILLLLLL PEOPLE !!!
A Dodds and a Telemacque wow! Francisco alias FETE your bloodline. No one can doubt you now of accomplishments as an engineer and Medical student in California right.Tell us Fete of the Dodds/Telemacque power.Tell Liz et Al.
Eyes & Ears, the kid does not have to boast, the taste of the pudding is in the the eating!
Undoubtedly, from my mother side the Dods are very smart people academically, combined that to the Linton’s and Telemaque on my father’s side means danger:
Hahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahah!
And let me take you to my grandmother side, though you may have never heard of her, and her sister, however if I mention the name Louis Robinson from Marigot, and the Armour’s, that may attract your attention.
You may remember the Armour’s as practicing attorneys in Dominica all related to me via my grandmother, and Louis Robinson’s grandmother. One of the Armour’s greatest accomplishments was when he took on Cable & Wirless, in the matter of Marpin Television vs Cable & Wireless. My friend Tony Astaphan got the credit, but even he will admit to the skills of that boy Armour which in the end won the case, and shattered the monopoly and strangle hold Cable & Wirless had on my friend Ron, and Marpin Television.
And let me just say this, the father of the Armour’s the late was a medical doctor born in Trinidad, who came to Dominica to practice medicine, he was stationed at the Marigot hospital, I suppose he met a relative of ours there, he married her, thus all his children are born to her, he had a home at Eden Road where his oldest son still resides today.
And the reason I said that is because I know in when some say something that has not been heard before, people term it a lie or say the yare buying family.
Fact is the kid does not want any help from anyone so!
Mind you my cousin Louis has either six or seven children, who are all medical doctors, educates, Lawyers, one of them to my knowledge is a district attorney in Florida, out of Marigot and Wesley we came.
This is not a boast, some of us has it within us, others do not.
I am going to end by, we also have a chemical engineer in our family too, connection to the Linton’s she is the daughter of my late aunt, and the daughter of Emlord and Agatha Timothy, here is the knock punch, if you remember teacher Coralie.; that is kessie Joseph wife, how many of their children are practicing medical doctors here in the U.S. I do not want to say. Inquire about a man named Ruben Telemaque brother to Arnold Telemaque, very smart, with his and the efforts there would be no St. Andrews Secondary school., be informed he also has a daughter who is a DNA specialist also.
I will end by saying remember Vidal, my late sister Barbara grandson former teacher, now an Computer Engineer working in Antigua, if I have to mention those in Antigua from the Valmond side of my family, it will not end My kids are left out, but they also bright one is also in medicine too!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Congrates Smith,now you can further ur career in sports medicine if you so desire,great asset you’ll be!
Congrats velma an darrel way to go !HOPE U ALL CARRY OUT THE SUCCESS THROUGH OUT UR CLINICS !
Congrats 2 all especially asheibba lloyd.. All d best in your future endeavours..
Great job keep it up continue to make your parents proud go girl
Congratulations to you all. Am very proud of Mr or should I say Dr smith telemacque. Another example that you can make things happen if you are determined. Keep on excelling
Congrats to you all…keep aiming high with God at your side.
Congrats to you all.
Congratulation to all and gook luck in your career.
Great job Donna, we are sooooo proud of you. Go baby girl go for greater things. That’s my girl.
Good job sweety
Very Proud of you little sister, Donna!
Congrats Darrel and Velma so proud of u guys! 2 more doctors in the making, 2 more for kalinago territory! All the best in your future endevours.
Congratulations to all, we are proud of you
Well done and congratulations to all the Dominican students who has worked hard to become doctors.
Indeed ,Thank you Jesus. God is good and has been good to Donna. May God bless you tremendously as you aspire to work for him, touching one life at a time. You are blessed and highly favoured by the creator. Remain humble my dear and serve God always no matter what.
congrat smith!stay blessed!
congrats Smith!
Congratulations to the top award recipients!
We are proud of your hard work, as we look forward in the enormous contribution you’ll give back to your communities after graduation.
Thank You!
Happy to see the Minister of Health at the Head Table, I hope now he appreciates the fact that Early Childhood Education is important the Validictorian started to Read at age 3 at her pre-school…dont leave them out in the cold, roofless Mr. Timothy… you should have done much better than that
Congrats to them!
Well done Asheibba.We are so proud of you!
Kudos to these amazing young people!
Congrats Darrell and Velma! Proud students of the castle Bruce secondary.
congrats keevi