On Tuesday, 23rd July 2019, St. Kitts and Nevis’ Ambassador to Cuba, H.E. Mrs. Verna
Mills witnessed the graduation ceremony of three nationals who recently completed their
seven year medical programme in Cuba.
Medical degrees were conferred to Dr. Meriskah Phipps of Sandy Point, Dr. Chanella
Nisbett of Basseterre and Dr. Kalieahh Cannonier of Parsons Village. The ceremony took
place at the Karl Marx Theatre in Havana. The doctors were among 500 students from 84
countries who were filled with joy, pride and gratitude for the opportunity received by the
Cuban Government to pursue a career in medicine gratis. The young doctors were
supported by their family and friends who journeyed from home and abroad to share in
this momentous occasion.
With this year’s graduation, the ELAM has now trained a total of 29,639 medical
professionals from 115 countries.
The ceremony was attended by the Vice President of the Councils of State and of Ministers
and member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Cuba, Mr. Roberto Morales
Ojeda; Minister of Public Health, Dr. José Ángel Portal Miranda; Rector of ELAM, Mr.
Antonio López Gutiérrez; Minister of Foreign Affairs of Gambia, Mr. Mamadou Tangara;
graduate of the first graduation of the ELAM and Director of Hygiene and Epidemiology
of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Haiti, Dr. Patric Delly; other foreign
representatives from Palau, the Diplomatic Corps and United States actor and political
activist, Mr. Danny Glover.
The Embassy of St. Kitts and Nevis wished the medical doctors every success as they
embark on a new chapter of their lives.
