Published on: 12 July 2018

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A group of international medical students eager to continue their training and studies are snubbing the excitement of theme parks, festivals and beaches to attend summer school in Blackburn!

In August 2017, Hurricane Irma devastated Sint Maarten, the Caribbean island where the American University of the Caribbean (AUC) School of Medicine is based.

But thanks to the close working relationship between the AUC, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), over 700 Caribbean-based students temporarily relocated to Lancashire to continue their studies at the end of last year.

And this week 93 students eager to gain more experience in an NHS hospital enrolled for the first-ever ‘summer taster days’ programme, organised by the ELHT Department of Undergraduate Education.

“We have been welcoming AUC medical students to East Lancashire Hospitals for clinical training for the past 20 years,” says Dr Helen Coutts, Consultant Paediatrician and ELHT’s International Student Lead.

“Feedback from the students has been excellent and they’re really enjoying the ‘summer taster days’ and the chance to extend their medical education in Lancashire.”

Dr Coutts and her colleagues have designed and implemented the bespoke ‘summer taster day’ programme which will see the students take part in clinical placements at the Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital throughout July and August.

“Everyone is so friendly at UCLan in Preston and here at Blackburn,” says Raihan Sayeed, a second-year medical student who hails from Chicago, Illinois.

“We’re very busy studying but this is a great opportunity to observe doctors and nurses in operating theatres and acute medical wards.”     

So highly is Dr Coutts regarded by the AUC School of Medicine that she was recently honoured with a Clinical Faculty Teaching Award.

Recipients of the 2018 Clinical Faculty Teaching Awards are selected after reviewing feedback from hundreds of students, faculty and administrators working at 24 sites in the US and UK. 

“Dr Coutts’ award recognises both the excellent teaching the students on placements across the hospitals receive, and the additional support given to the students learning in Preston,” says Robert M. Hecht MD, AUC Associate Clinical Dean.

“Many thanks to all the staff at East Lancashire Hospitals who support the American students on your various wards and departments.”