In the Jungle of Medicine: Journeys Through Caribbean Medical School

This book is the creation of four young Canadian doctors who each attended Ross University School of Medicine on the island of Dominica in the Caribbean.


It was there beneath the scorching sun, near banana plantations and mango groves, under the tropic of cancer, that they toiled away in an attempt to fulfill their dreams of one day becoming physicians.


Life was not easy for these four and living in a developing nation was a challenge in itself, not to speak of their efforts studying medicine. This new and unusual world was certainly not for the faint of heart.


Each has a similar story, yet each has travelled a different road. Their journeys are individual and unique, but also connected. While each doctor has taken a different path, they have all ended up in the same place: bonded together in the sisterhood of tropical medicine. They have all moved on to gain prestigious residencies.


Meet these Doctors of the Caribbean:


Dr. Tiffany Bursey (Dr. T) – McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario (Family Medicine)

Dr. Vanessa Doyle (Dr. V) – University of Ottawa (Neurology)

Dr. Hedieh Ghanbari (Dr. H) – University of Toronto (Family Medicine)

Dr. Raheleh Sarbaziha (Dr. R) – University of Southern California, (Internal Medicine)


About this Book


This book is a window into the journey of studying medicine in the Caribbean. The writing touches on the highs and lows of a medical student's life and offers very personal reflections on these experiences.


The purpose of the appendix section is to assist current students in navigating their way through the maze of exams and applications, which is part of life as an "IMG" (International Medical Graduate) when at times it seems as though the exams and applications will never end.


This is the important stuff that isn't taught in Caribbean medical schools:


PHYSICIANS APPLY/CARMS/MCC/NEXUS/

ELECTIVES/CORES/LORs/ERAS/NRMP

RESUMES/PERSONAL STATEMENTS/LETTER OF NEED/ECFMG/ROS


It is all here and explained clearly by doctors who have waded through the glue of being labelled an IMG.


A donation will be made to Princess Margaret Hospital in Dominica from all book sales.