The best graduating student is the one who can attain the highest academic achievement out of all their colleagues. This year’s School of Medicine’s Valedictorian at the University of Guyana for the undergraduate program, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), was able to do just that and more.
Dr. Jonelle Europe
The Valedictorian is Dr. Jonelle Europe, who was able to excel against all odds amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and in one of the most challenging degree programs regionally and internationally.
Dr. Europe is closely conversant with distinction, as seen throughout her nursery, primary, secondary, and now, tertiary education history.
My parents kept papers dating back to the nursery years as proof. My primary school, ABC Academy, encouraged excellence the most, so I’d say that there is where my “natural talent” was matched with hard work. The standard set served me well as I was 5th in the country when writing the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) in 2008 and completed high school at Queen’s College with 15 CSEC and 10 CAPE subjects.
After completing her secondary education in the Science field – a career in medicine seemed inevitable. However, her fascination with the popular medical television series ‘House’ and the lack of exposure to careers outside of the science field led her to UG’s MBBS program.
Nevertheless, Dr. Europe reminisced on her time spent in the wards of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). She posited that her clinical years were the most impacting.
The people she collaborated with, the patients she was deeply invested in even when the odds looked bleak, were all an integral part of reaffirming the persistence and dedication she is known for at every stage of her career.
Memory lane also led footprints to her first delivery. She recognized that no matter how difficult or complicated things appear, you can overcome them once you set your mind to do so.
In her final year of study, COVID-19 made its way around the world, and the University of Guyana’s MBBS program was not spared. When asked how the pandemic affected the closing scenes of her degree, Dr. Europe relayed;
The pandemic really made things more difficult. You’re more concerned about your loved ones and their livelihood, yet you had these major exams that you were expected to focus on. It was tough. We had reduced access to our tutors on the ward, the clinical sciences building for some quiet studies, and our colleagues for study group sessions we had grown accustomed to. [In spite of all that] we had to persevere and adjust our lives to get to the end.
It was on Saturday, January 16, 2021, where she was able to do just that as she came out victorious and delivered a soul stirring Valedictorian Speech at her White Coat Ceremony.
Overwhelmed, satisfied, and grateful are all words she used to describe her feeling upon completing and attaining this achievement.
It’s awesome to have accomplished something this great, but I acknowledge that I would not have made it here on my own…people also have higher expectations of you, so there is some added pressure and motivation.
Advice to Future and Continuing Students
When asked what nuggets she wishes to share with those coming up after her, she had this to say:
• Have God – Faith gives us something to believe in. There’s comfort in knowing that the outcome of your life is in the hand of someone more knowledgeable and more powerful than you will ever be.
• Have a life outside of medicine – We all get exhausted. It’s important that there’s something else in your life that you can turn to for a break.
• Have people – Maybe we can do this alone. But it’s definitely a lot easier and more fun with people to support and encourage you along the way.
• Have your own back – Listen to your body when it speaks. Take breaks, get help and be sure that this is what you want.
Dr. Europe stated that she began her journey with the hopes of becoming a pediatrician. However, she confessed that she is also considering a career in Family Medicine.
