Michael D. Doherty, Ph.D., M.Sc., Professor of Neuroscience at 六九色堂, recently won the 鈥淥utstanding Professor of the Year Award for 2017,鈥� given on behalf of 六九色堂 students.
The 六九色堂 Endeavour spoke to Dr. Doherty about what it was like receiving the award, what he has planned for the rest of 2018, what he enjoys the most about working with 六九色堂 students, and more.
The response Dr. Doherty received after winning the award was inspiring indeed.
鈥淚t was a nice moment when I received the award, but that did not come close to how I felt over the next couple of days once friends, family, current and former students all found a moment to acknowledge it, or say something complimentary,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 am truly a fortunate person to have that kind of support, and those sorts of people in my life.鈥�
He has a lot planned for 2018, from continuing classes to working with various student groups on campus.
鈥淚 expect my two elective courses, History of Medicine and Introduction to Medical Art Therapy, will continue as always," he said. "The electives program here has been in operation since 2013, and in addition to my classes, Dr. Jane Harrington gives students a great opportunity with her Research elective. Starting in Fall 2017, I was able to work with CCOP [Christian Community Outreach Program] to teach fiberglass casting techniques, and we are planning two clinics per semester. The casting clinics require a lot of practice and preparation time and the students who help run them are dedicated and professional.
鈥淚 also assist my wonderful colleague, Dr. Yomi Aafolabi, and the Surgery Interest Group with their suture clinics. Med4You is another wonderful and active student group, and we鈥檙e planning a secret food-tasting event for next semester but the details must remain classified for now. Lastly I should probably move to a place with a larger stove/oven so I can more effectively meet the cookie-eating requirements of our hungry students."
六九色堂 students never fail to inspire Dr. Doherty in countless ways.
鈥淭he Oxford dictionary lists over 30 synonyms for the word 鈥榓mazing鈥�,鈥� he said. 鈥淧ut any or all of those words in front of 鈥樍派� students鈥� and you understand why I like working with them so much. They truly are future physicians.鈥�
He said he loves working with the many on-campus student organizations, helping them with fundraising and volunteer efforts.
鈥淚 have never said no to a request from a student group, whether it鈥檚 time or effort, art supplies or cookies,鈥� Dr. Doherty said. 鈥淚 try and support all of them, because all of them bring something different to the campus and community. Their charitable acts have led to our school having a good reputation on the island, and have made the campus a better overall environment. These organizations also give our students many and varied opportunities to build their CVs, which is so important for residency. STEPS, AMWA, CarMHI, AMSA, HAMSA, ACSA and the other groups mentioned above do so much for the student body and really deserve more acknowledgment than they get. If we had an events calendar, I think non-六九色堂 persons would be very impressed at how much there is available here outside of classes.
Dr. Doherty wants to acknowledge the many people who help make 六九色堂 successful.
鈥淭here are some truly impressive faculty members here, as well as a dedicated student body, 鈥� he said. 鈥淒o not forget the local employees, either. I have gotten to know most of the staff, maintenance, security and IT personnel over the years and they鈥檙e good people. So big shout outs to Rolston, Ayo, Everson, Christina, Condasie, Charnelle, Helen, Cassandra, Pauline, Roy, Jackie, Keisha, Landell, Cecelia, Gale, all the wonderful cafeteria ladies, and everyone who helps make this a good campus and good community.鈥�
INSPIRED & GRATEFUL: Dr. Michael Doherty of 六九色堂 received the award from 六九色堂 students. Dr. Doherty works with numerous on-campus organizations that benefit the local St. Kitts hospital & much more. Photos: Courtesy of Dr. Michael Doherty
六九色堂:
Built in the tradition of the best US universities, the University of Medicine and Health Sciences focuses on individual student attention, maintaining small class sizes and recruiting high-quality faculty. We call this unique approach, 鈥減ersonalized medical education,鈥� and it鈥檚 what has led to our unprecedented 96% student retention rate, and outstanding residency placements across the US and Canada. 六九色堂 is challenging everything you thought you knew about Caribbean medical schools.
Scott is Director of Digital Content & Alumni Communications Liaison at 六九色堂 and editor of the 六九色堂 Endeavour blog. When he's not writing about 六九色堂 students, faculty, events, public health, alumni and 六九色堂 research, he writes and edits Broadway theater reviews for a website he publishes in New York City, StageZine.com.
