BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A 37-year-old son of the soil is continuing to make himself, family members and St. Kitts-Nevis proud of his successes in the medical field.
He is Dr. Terrance Michael Drew, who recently returned home after successfully graduating from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center – Paul Foster School of Medicine in the USA, specialising in Internal Medicine.
The officially graduation ceremony took place on Saturday (Jun. 8), where he graduated as a Member of the American College of Medicine and American Medical Association.
In 1998, Dr. Drew was one of 25 nationals of St. Kitts-Nevis who had received a scholarship grant from the Republic of Cuba to pursue degrees in the areas of Engineering, Medicine, Dentistry, Psychology, Architecture, Accounting and Economics.
Asked why he decided to become a doctor, Drew referred to his love of working with and caring for people as well as the subject of Science.
“I became a doctor out of a desire to combine my love for Science and working with people. I left St. Kitts-Nevis initially in 1998 to pursue studies in Cuba.”
Additionally, as to why he chose to specialise as an Internist, Dr. Drew shared: “I chose Internal Medicine because during my third year of study I became very interested in that field. It’s an area that requires analysis. It’s interesting and rewarding! That is, it’s a psychological reward when solving complex issues and helping people with the power of science.”
SKNVibes asked about his experience while studying and working overseas, both in the Caribbean and the USA.
“My experiences in Cuba and Texas were very different. The approach to medicine was different. However, I benefited tremendously from both. Cuba was more doctor-patient relationship intensive while Texas depended heavily upon technology. And so I have learnt to combine both aspects which have enabled me to become an efficient medical practitioner.”
Dr. Drew wishes to extend gratitude to his mother Ras Gerzel Pet Mills, his father Michael ‘Mic Stokes’ Heyliger, aunt Mary Joycelyn Nisbett and his late grandmother Helena ‘Baba’ Saunders for the unwavering support they provided during his years of study.
He also extends thanks to the St. Kitts-Nevis Government for providing him the initial opportunity to pursue medical studies in Cuba.
