St. Matthews University School of Medicine to open in San Pedro.... Opening this fall, 450 students expected within three years
The San Pedro Sun received a press release this week confirming the
opening of a medical school in San Pedro this fall. The fax did not
contain a telephone number or mailing address. The San Pedro Sun has
requested more information via the email address provided.
The Editor
San Pedro Sun
April 28, 1997
Dear Sir:
I am pleased to announce that on April 21 the Government of Belize and St. Matthews University School of Medicine signed a charter for the establishment of a medical school in San Pedro. The school will offer courses leading the M.D. degree, and will be open to all qualified applicants Once established, St. Matthews anticipates enrolling three classes of 150 students each year. St. Matthews anticipates enrolling the first class in the fall of this year.
The goal of St. Matthews University is to develop highly qualified and socially responsible physicians. The curriculum, set by the school and taught by professionals holding the M.D or Ph.D. degree, is based on the integrated curriculum being used in many medical schools in the United States and Canada. Students will learn the structure and function of the human body in health and disease. Classes will present information needed for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). To ensure the quality of our education and graduates, students must pass parts 1 and 2 of the USMLE for graduation. St. Matthews is the only Caribbean medical school to impose such high quality and standards.
The campus will include administration, lecture, and laboratory buildings as well as student dormitories. Rather than studying the structure of the body from cadavers, students will use the latest multimedia computer technology including products from The Visible Human Project developed by the United States National Library of Medicine.
Preferences for employment at St. Matthews will be given to all qualified Belizean nationals.
Mary Beth Downs, Ph.D.
Dean of Academic Affairs
St Matthews University School of Medicine
Obviously, the addition of this number of students, faculty and support staff will have a positive effect on San Pedro's economy, providing much needed diversification.
There will also be an effect on the island's housing, greatly increasing the demand for rental units.
