Seventeen IUON students to transfer to US institutions
By Ryan Haas
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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IUON Spring transfer class of 2008
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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts-SEVENTEEN students of the International University of Nursing (IUON) who will be transferring to U.S. institutions in a few weeks were ceremoniously honored Saturday (July 26) for their academic accomplishments and community contributions while studying in St. Kitts.
Two of the students will be moving on to one of IUON’s five affiliated schools to complete their Associate’s Degree in Nursing and the other fifteen will use the next year of clinical training to obtain their Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing. Over 70 percent of the students will leave IUON with academic honors.
Faculty members of IUON, such as Provost Dean Dr. Catherine Garner praised the students for their accomplishments, but advised them that “this is only the beginning” of their careers and many challenges, both personal and professional, lay before those who dedicate themselves to the healthcare industry.
Ambassador Rosalyn Hazelle, Permanent Secretary of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs thanked the students for their significant contribution to the Women’s Health Initiative of St. Kitts, which is currently in the process of a program entitled, ‘A Healthy Workforce is a Productive Workforce’. ~~Adz:Right~~
Hazelle stated that the program was designed to address the biggest health issues faced by female factory workers in the industrial estate.
“The statistics that we have now are that…we currently have approximately 537 women living with high blood pressure and 503 with diabetes,” she said.
The Women’s Health Initiative in conjunction with IUON aims to reduce these numbers over a twelve month period by teaching the women healthier eating habits, providing monthly educational sessions and encouraging more physical activity and water consumption.
“So far this university has contributed 576 hours of service in the factories. The students here today have taken 870 blood pressures, close to that for glucose levels, drawn over 300 lipid panels, distributed over 3000 educational pamphlets and delivered over 190 hours of individual counseling,” the Ambassador said.
“I want to commend this university for its corporate citizenship and the way it has provided its support and commitment to this program”.
Speaking on behalf of the students later in the ceremony was Rebekah Tyle, President of the Student Government Association who said that the class’ contributions to the community were a part of the territory for nurses.
“As you go out into the world, keep in mind that there is much work to be done and we are the ones to do it,” she said as she held back tears.
Two of the Federation’s most famous holders of medical degrees, His Excellency the Governor General, Dr. Sir Cuthbert Sebastian and the Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas were also in attendance at the ceremony to show their support for the graduating students.
