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| Dr. Jeffery Sersland in front of new medical
school
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Dr. Jeffrey
Sersland and the Medical University of the Americas (MUA) are proud to announce
the opening of a branch Medical University in San Pedro Town. "The plans we
announced this past August in the San Pedro Sun
have finally come to fruition," exclaimed a beaming Dr. Sersland. Dr. David
Fredrick, founder of SABA Medical School and Medical School of the Americas (St.
Christopher-Nevis), states he is pleased to join Dr. Sersland in co-founding the
Medical University of the Americas - Belize (MUAB). As soon as January
14th, 2002, 30 medical
students are scheduled to begin classes at the university's location in the
former Coral Sand Convention Center at the Belize Yacht Club.
Medical University of the Americas was founded in 1998 in
an effort to provide a comprehensive four-year program leading to a Doctor of
Medicine (M.D.) degree. MUA was established to provide quality education for
students from around the world. Recognizing that education is more than
mastering the required courses, MUA incorporates opportunities for intellectual
achievement, sound decision making skills and moral-ethical development. MUA
believes by combining intellectual and personal skills the student will develop
into a well-rounded professional. MUAB will
operate on a trimester system admitting students three times a year in January,
May and September. Dr. Sersland stated that besides the 30 students already
enrolled in the two-year basic science program, the school has 60 clinical
students doing rotations in hospitals abroad and 150 applicants for the May
semester. He anticipates 150 additional students to join MUAB by September,
2002. Overall, the total number of students enrolled in the consortium of MUA
schools is over 1000. Dr. Sersland commented, "I personally welcome the
opportunity to be associated with Dr. Fredrick's exceptional track record of
success in the basic science portion of the program and in placing students in
quality U.S. hospitals for their clinical training. Additionally, his success in
having graduates match in residencies across America is
unprecedented." Medical University of the Americas -
Belize will transform the basement of the former convention center into the
school's laboratory. The first floor will be utilized for three lecture halls.
The second floor will be used as a library and as administrative offices for his
staff. Joining President Jeffrey Sersland are his wife Renae Sersland, Dr. Mary
Beth Downs; Anatomist, Dr. Armando Rosales; Pathologist, Dr. Abdul Shamsuddin
and his wife Sahara, a histologist; Terry Anderson as University Coordinator and
Liz Cechini as Chief Financial Officer. Gary Pletcher is named as the Provost
and Dr. David Fredrick the Chancellor for the university. Additional professors
from Glasgow, Scotland and the United Kingdom are scheduled to come aboard in
the near future. Dr. Fredrick, who has over 20 years of
experience in Caribbean Medical Education, shares the same vision and desire as
Dr. Sersland. Both plan to provide quality medical education that benefits both
the student and the community where the university is located. To that effect,
Dr. Sersland mentioned that MUAB is currently setting up their equipment and
will soon be hiring office and maintenance personnel. "I am looking forward to
providing not only a quality educational facility but many positive benefits to
the community through MUAB," commented Dr. Sersland. An open house to dedicate the new Medical University
of the Americas - Belize facility is scheduled for December 7th. Dr. Sersland takes this opportunity to
welcome the entire community to join him and his staff at this memorable
event.
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