Nov 04 - Health Qualifications Graduation Ceremony
A graduation ceremony for the presentation of Diplomas, Degree in Nursing (Adult and Mental Health) and Foundation Degree in Paramedic Science will take place on Tuesday 5th November at the John Mackintosh Hall.
The hosts of this event are The School of Health Studies, Gibraltar Health Authority (GHA) on behalf of the Faculty of Health and Social Care and Education at Kingston University and St George’s University, London. The Chairman of the GHA, Minister for Health and the Environment, Dr John Cortes will be in attendance together with the Vice Chancellor Professor Julius Weinberg from Kingston University, and the Dean, Professor Fiona Ross of St George's University, London. In addition, the Head of the School of Health Studies, Dr Ron Coram, will be presenting School of Health Studies awards. Also present will be Executive Officer (GHA), Mr Fred Pitto. Other attendees participating in the Ceremony include academic staff and dignitaries from Kingston University and St Georges University, London, and School of Health Studies (GHA) namely Principal Nurse Lecturer, Professor Ian Peate, Mrs Janet Lane, Senior Nurse Tutor, Mr James Viñales, Senior Nurse Lecturer and Ms Shirley Sardeña, Librarian.
The Academic Procession will leave the Convent at 11.30am and make its way to the John Mackintosh Hall where the students, families and guests will be assembled.
The ceremony is the culmination of three years hard work for the 12 Diplomats in Adult Nursing comprising Miss Jordanna Clinton, Mr Christian Danino, Mrs Elaine Ferro, Miss Shaira Gibson, Mr Michael Gil, Miss Laura Netto, Miss Natalie Parody, Miss Rachael Reyes, Miss Justine Rovegno, Mrs Lyzanne Tosso, Miss Daniella Vera and Miss Stacie Yusifredo.
Diplomat, Mr Sean Peralta and Graduand, Mr Jason Desoisa, also commenced their nurse education in Gibraltar together with the aforementioned 12 Diplomats and completed their first year at the School of Health Studies. They then went on to the UK to Kingston University and St Georges University, London in order to complete their remaining 2 years of study within mental health nursing, thus complementing the Government’s ambitions towards the new dementia unit and mental health facility, both opening soon.
The Diploma in Nursing programme commenced in September 2010 and is one the few academic courses run by UK Universities that can be attended wholly in Gibraltar. As with all academic courses, the pace has been demanding as students have to sit through examinations, undertake assessments, and learn clinical skills that are within a modern and demanding health service. In addition, Diplomat Mr Gareth Valarino has obtained a Diploma in Health Care Practice and is currently working within the GHA's District Nursing team.
This year has also seen the completion of Foundation Degrees in Paramedic Science, for the very first time in Gibraltar, comprising 4 members of the ambulance team working in collaboration with Kingston University and St George’s University, London. Mr Sigurd Haveland, Mr Paul Watson, Mr Michael Valarino and Ms Jennifer Garrett have all achieved the award after completing 3 years of hard work involving distance learning on a part-time basis and pursuing lengthy placements within the UK ambulance service.
All students must demonstrate a commensurate level of academic standard prior to any consideration for higher education and for some, this has meant going back to studying after several years. They also had to go through a very rigorous admissions procedure that not only fulfilled the requirements of the School of Health Studies but also Kingston University and St Georges University, London. The Minister for Health commented:
“To both work and study at the same time is a a huge achievement as this takes total commitment, dedication and ultimately, many sacrifices are made. We are very proud of all our Diplomats and Graduands, many of whom will now be working as Registered Nurses within the GHA. They undoubtedly will become excellent ambassadors for nursing in Gibraltar together with our Paramedics, who will no doubt improve delivery in Gibraltar of first time response in emergencies: The Government wishes to offer all of them very warmest congratulations on what can only be described as a major achievement.”
