More than 270 doctors and nurses took their first steps as professional medics yesterday during a celebration that recognised their hard work and achievements.
The 16th Conferring Ceremony of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) – Medical University of Bahrain, held at the Gulf Convention Centre in Manama, was attended by graduates, parents and honoured guests.
It acknowledged the academic achievements of 142 medical graduates and 130 nursing graduates.
It was held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and attended by Education Minister Dr Mohammed Mubarak Juma.
Other attendees included RCSI president Professor Deborah McNamara, RCSI Bahrain president Sameer Otoom, Vice Chancellor Professor Cathal Kelly and National University of Ireland Chancellor Professor Michael Murphy.
Dr Juma congratulated the graduates for their achievements and reiterated the ministry’s desire to support Bahrain’s medical sector.
“It is all thanks to the directives of His Majesty King Hamad and His Royal Highness Prince Salman,” he said. “I am confident that this new batch will not only build Bahrain’s present, but also shape a bright future.
“This is a new milestone, one that will utter a phase marked by ambitions and challenges.
“Bahrain has always attributed great importance to medical education and the ministry reiterates its desire to streamline regulations to support the sector.
“To the graduates, remember, you are more than just doctors, medicine is a lofty humanitarian mission. You also have to become a healer.”
Prof McNamara also congratulated the students for their achievements and expressed confidence that they will all make significant contributions to the kingdom’s medical sector and beyond.
“This has been a very successful year in RCSI Bahrain,” Prof McNamara told the GDN. “We have just had a wonderful ceremony to celebrate the graduates, who have potential to be world leading healthcare providers and deliver excellent patient care across Bahrain and the Middle East.
“I hope they all remember what they learned here in Bahrain and the values of caring for patients, delivering compassionate healthcare and pursuing excellence and lifelong learning.”
During the ceremony, a number of awards were given to students who ‘personified excellence’.
The proud medical graduates
Among medical graduates, valedictorian Dr Ola Mohammed was awarded the Medicine Overall Gold Medal, the Senior Cycle Bronze Medal, the Professor James Finucane Prize in Medicine, and the Professor Niall O’Higgins Prize in Surgery.
Dr Zain Al Muqbel was awarded the Degree Award Gold Medal, Senior Cycle Silver Medal and the Professor Joe McMenamin Prize in Paediatrics.
Dr Khadija Sayed Al Toblani was awarded the Professor Charlotte Kamel Prize in Psychiatry, Dr Maher Al Qattan was awarded the Professor John Murphy Prize in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, while Dr Khaled Husain was awarded the Professor David Whitford Prize in General Practice.
From the School of Nursing and Midwifery and the School of Postgraduate Studies and Research, Valedictorian Nurse Ali Ramadhan, was awarded the Nursing Overall Gold Medal and the BSc Nursing Bronze Medal.
Nurse Rahaf Itani received the BSc Nursing Silver Medal, while the Rufaida Al-Aslamia Award in Nursing was awarded to Nurse Rawya Alabbasi, Nurse Jawad Jameel Saleh received the MSc in Nursing Overall Gold Medal.
Speaking to the GDN, Dr Mohammed, an international student from Yemen, expressed her joy and pride in winning four awards. “I am overwhelmed with emotion from not just happiness, but also the support from everyone, especially my parents and colleagues,” she said.
“It feels amazing, and I am forever grateful for the community that I found here in RCSI Bahrain.
“As an international student, I felt a bit lost in the beginning, but everybody was more than happy to offer help and support whenever we needed.”
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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