First Lady receives courtesy call from overseas-based Guyanese scholars
Georgetown, Guyana – (July 27, 2017) First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, today, received a courtesy call from two overseas-based Guyanese students, Ms. Kelly Hyles, a Pre-Medical Course student of the Harvard University, who made headlines last year when she was accepted by 21 colleges across the United States of America, including eight Ivy League universities and Ms. Avanelle Thomas, a student at Loma Linda University, California. Hyles was born in Guyana while Thomas was born in the United States to Guyanese parents. They have returned home to complete their six-week Public Health System Rotation.
From left: Ms. Avanelle Thomas, First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger and Ms. Kelly Hyles at her office at State House, earlier today.
The rotation is geared at giving them an in-depth look at the health care system in Guyana by placing them at hospitals, to shadow doctors and nurses in the Accident and Emergency Unit, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, General Medicine and other departments.
Mrs. Granger told the two students that it is heartening to see them returning to Guyana to serve in and learn from the local health sector. “I said to myself that I have to see these two young ladies, who are in Guyana learning about how the medical system operates. I am happy to see that you girls are doing well but I am even more pleased that you have returned to serve. It shows that you are taking your professional pursuits seriously,” she said.
Ms. Hyles, who was posted at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), finished her Rotation last week,
First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger makes a point as the young ladies, Ms. Kelly Hyles and Ms. Avanelle Thomas pay keen attention.
while Ms. Thomas is placed at the David Memorial Hospital and will complete her rotation in September.
In an invited comment, Ms. Hyles said that it is great opportunity to gain clinical exposure in her home country.
“I’ve been at the GPHC shadowing different doctors and I have been getting a better sense of what it’s like to be a doctor in Guyana. I spent the first 11 years of my life in Guyana and since I am doing my Pre-Medical [Course] right now, I thought it might be best to come back and get some clinical exposure here,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ms. Thomas said that while she is a United States citizen, she has always set her sights on returning to Guyana.
“I am working at one of the local hospitals to help with the nutrition programmes and to educate persons on diabetes. It’s been my goal to come to Guyana and experience my heritage and give back in a way in which I can use my profession,” she said.