06th Feburary 2010
Spartan celebrates 30th Anniversary

Spartan University School of Medicine was showered with praises for the progress it has made during its thirty years as a medical institution, despite the challenges which had confronted it.
The praises came from Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Mr. Felix St. Hill and Alva Baptiste, district representative for Laborie, at a ceremony to mark the grand occasion which was held at the University Campus last Saturday.
The ceremony which was graced with the presence of her Excellency, Dame Pearlette Louisy, Governor General of St. Lucia, was attended by a number of prominent individuals in the community.
In his address, St. Hill described the achievement of the school as remarkable, adding that it is growing from strength to strength. He attributed such a success to gifted leadership, strong political commitment and stability, hard work and sacrifice.
“Spartan Health Sciences University, School of Medicine has already educated many St. Lucians and U.S. citizens seeking medical education outside the U.S. The physicians who graduated from this medical educational institution play an increasingly important role in helping to meet a well documented global physician shortage, particularly in primary health care” he said.
He added: “While we relish these past successes we must remain focused on the goal of achieving even greater universal acceptability of this University.
St. Hill noted that the Government will play its role in accelerating the future development of the institution.
According to him because the competition for admission to medical schools in the United States is extremely strong, many applicants consider attending medical schools in the Caribbean. “Many bright and talented applicants now opting to obtain their medical education in the Caribbean. In the last four decades the Caribbean has seen a steady increase in the number of medical schools in the islands, as well as the size of their student bodies,” St. Hill explained.
Hon. Alva Baptiste, who represented Dr. Kenny Anthony, district representative of Vieux Fort noted that the decision of Spartan to remain in St. Lucia for such a long time is an indication of the confidence it has in the future of our medical education.
“This medical institution can play a vital role in our health sector because today we face a number of challenges in that sector.” he said.
He feels that the school has a lot to offer in terms of technology transfers and providing the type of services that is consistent with solid medical care.
Dr. William R. Ayers, President of the University gave a brief historical background of the University and future plans.
He noted that the school which first opened its doors in Castries, now owns its own building in Vieux Fort, which over the year has been expanded.