The Bahamas Medical Association recently announced that they have added 24 new Bahamian doctors to its 301-member body this past weekend.

Some 24 Bahamian students were inducted as new doctors during the University of the West Indies School of Clinical Medicine and Research Awards ceremony on Sunday.

The graduates were reminded by post graduate-education coordinator, Professor Paul Ramphal who told the new inductees to be proud of what they have accomplished.

“It is a representation of one the most unique universities on the planet. Where there are only one or two other universities that can claim multi-national membership and sponsorship and this university has produced some of the best doctors on the planet and you should be proud and wear it like a badge,” he said.

To date 301 doctors have graduated from UWI and of that number 80 per cent of them are Bahamians.

President of the Medical Association of the Bahamas Dr. Wesley Francis congratulated the student and wished them well on this new chapter in their lives

“I’m personally proud of you all,” he said.

“The association will need you to create a future for not only you guys now but for the ones behind you.”

Also bringing the remarks at the graduation was professor of neurosurgery at the University of the West Indies.

“You are role models, one of the things that you have that most people don’t have is that you share the inner most secrets of human beings,” he said.

During the ceremony Dr. Kristy Nottage one of the graduating’s class’ top students received several awards.

Among those awards was the Dr. Cecil M. Bethel award for most outstanding student and the Professor Knolly award for most outstanding student in surgery.

Other students being awarded were Dr. Jessika Thompson and Dr. Nikolas Dela-Laroda who received awards for most outstanding student in psychiatry and most outstanding student performance community medicine respectively.

Sealing the deal at the end of the ceremony students were presented with their white coats and stethoscopes.