The government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands was represented at the white coat ceremony where 38 international students from the 18 diplomatic allies of the Republic of China (Taiwan) were conferred with their honorary white coats held at the auditorium of I-Shou School of Medicine for International Students last Thursday.
The I-Shou School of Medicine for International Students was established in 2013 in compliance with Taiwan’s policy aimed at cultivating international medical professionals among Taiwan’s diplomatic allies. Each student is given a white coat marking two years of theoretical studies and transition to clinical and patient care work in hospital settings, which will take another two years.
This year’s ceremony included two students from the Marshall Islands, Jerel Anitok and Jean Phillip-Lingayon. Jerel is the son of Shem Horiuchi and Juliet Anitok and Jean is the daughter of Thompson and Yitha Phillip.
This year’s cohort of 38 students are the fourth batch enrolled to the class of 2016. It will take another two years of successful clinical and patient care before they are conferred their medical certification, after which they will undergo one year of internship at Majuro hospital followed by two years of residency at the Shuang-Ho Medical Hospital in New Taipei City.
To date, three RMI students have completed medical studies: Dr. David Alfred from the first intake, and Dr. Cody Jack and Dr. Ethel Briand from the second. Next year it is expected that five Marshallese students will complete their medical studies.
Prior to the ceremony, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Bruce Kijiner accompanied by RMI Embassy Charge Anjanette Kattil met with Dr. Julia Lin, Vice-President of I-Shou University, Dr. Liang-Chien Lee, I-Shou University, Dr. John, Han-Jung Chen, I-Shou University/E-DA Hospital, and Ael Cheng-Hui Lin, Minister on Home Assignment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Read more about this in the July 27, 2018 edition of the Marshall Islands Journal.