Page 2 - FINAL - April Newsletter

UNIVERSITY

The Dean's Take

Dean Heidi Chumley, MD, MBA joined Microdosing Podcast's Labor Crisis Series.
During the episode Dean Chumley talks about social determinants of learning as it

relates to clinical education, and how we need to rethink the pipeline of the next-
generation doctors and nurses, where we are sourcing students and educating a
more diverse clinical workforce of the future. To Listen to this episode from

Microdosing on Spotify - CLICK HERE !
.
RUSM Partners With Barbados Association of Retired Persons

for World Obesity Day Workshop

Last month RUSM’s Office of External Affairs partnered with the Barbados Association of Retired
Persons (BARP) to host a workshop and clinic to raise awareness of obesity in Barbados.

Together, RUSM and BARP are working to shift public perception toward understanding obesity as a
non-communicable disease and provide holistic obesity prevention and management services.
Rashida Daisley, MBBS, MPH, PGDip (Obesity), assistant professor, was one of the event presenters
discussing the health risks of obesity and encouraging health literacy in understanding nutritional
labels and safe exercise plans with professional consultation. “Obesity is a major public health
concern with many socioeconomic implications in Barbados,” said. Dr. Daisley. “The event hosted in
partnership with the BARP provided RUSM faculty and students with a unique opportunity to
improve the health of the participants through education on healthy lifestyle practices and bringing
awareness of weight status. We are happy contribute to health promotion in Barbados this way and
we believe it was a step toward a healthier nation.”
Four other faculty and Lizmar Gonzalez, Class of ’26,

attended the event where an estimated 30-plus individuals
were tested for obesity. Gonzalez gained practical
experience in screening for obesity, including techniques
and guidance on measuring weight, BMI, waist and hip
circumference, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol,
and was able participate in counseling on lifestyle
modification.

“Between the long hours of study and exams, sometimes
medical students can forget the real reason why we chose
this career,” Gonzalez shared. “Interacting with patients
and putting what I have learned into practice was key to
remembering why I’m here, why I chose this path.”

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