Life at Princess Margaret Hospital
I can officially say that I am completely happy with my decision to stay in Dominica and do my fifth semester at Princess Margaret Hospital in Roseau. The semester involves a lot of patient interaction, and I really feel like I’m in an immersion program. I have so many stories to tell, but to keep it brief for now (and since I’m terribly tired because of my new schedule), I’ll just say a few things. I met a patient who had obvious signs of a stroke, but couldn’t afford the 500 EC bill to have a CT scan. That’s just one example of the sad stories that unfold every day at this hospital. Many of the patients are very ill because they can’t afford healthcare, and end up in the hospital when they get to the point where they can’t function anymore. The hospital itself is so very different from what I’m used to. There is no neurosurgeon at the hospital, so patients needing neurosurgery must either travel to Martinique (obviously very infrequently feasible), or wait for the neurosurgeon to travel to Dominica. Everything just runs so differently, that I’m in a constant state of amazement. It’s been an incredible learning experience thus far, and I can’t wait to see how the rest of my semester unfolds.
The pic above was taken outside of the hospital today. I still have many more pics to take, and only wish I could take more pics of inside the hospital, but don’t want to violate any HIPAA laws.
My name is Kendra and I am a third-year medical student attending 
Why would HIPAA be relevant in Dominica? Or has HIPAA become so common in the health care world that like kleenex and kool aid it’s used for all patient confidentiality laws?
Actually, you are correct. The HIPAA laws don’t really apply here (and in fact, so few people have Internet access, that it would likely never come up anyway). But, I guess I’m just gearing up for the land of Kleenex and Kool Aid.
PS: I love you.
A picture taken of the front facade of the hospital would look different, what do you think ? All countries have their good and bad. We all saw after the hurricane ,what transpired in the south,or your memory is selective as your photography.Many people who complain too much about my paradise should pack up and go back HOME. Many Ross students do not want to know about Dominica or Dominicans,The majority of the information they send out is false , to know something one should study it, get the facts, Ive been to Ross at Portsmouth on many occasions and the students are arrogant as many of your country men & women.America is not the world LEARN THAT .
Hi Darius,
I certainly didn’t mean to offend anyone. I have older pics of the front of the hospital as well, but I happened to have my camera on me at that point, so I took a pic (the Ross facilities are in the back). I plan on posting more pics of the hospital in the future.
I actually love Dominica, and that’s why I chose to do my 5th semester at PMH in Roseau, instead of in Miami. I actually am enjoying my 5th semester so much that I’m thinking about staying to do a few rotations here.
Unfortunately, I do agree with you on the comment regarding Ross students. I must say that I have met quite a few of them who hate it here. They complain all day long about one thing or another, and fail to stop and take in the beauty of this country. Sadly, those students give other Ross students a bad name. I’ve met some Dominicans in Portsmouth and Glanvillia who dislike Ross students. I don’t blame them in the least. But I really don’t consider myself to be “one of them.” I truly love it here and feel more at home in this country than the States.
Sorry if my picture made you think that I dislike Dominica, or was trying to put it in a bad light.
Best,
Kendra
Hi Kendra , point well taken, actually i love checking your blog ,also Living Dominica.Im 100% Dominican. I fell madly in love with Paradise after traveling to Europe and North America .You never miss the water till the well runs dry , as the old saying goes , i learnt this about Dominica from my travels.Im very familiar with Ross because ive done many art exhibitions there . Many of my pieces hang in the Deans complex .All the best in your studies .Keep on loving DOMINICA OUR PARADISE.
i do not belive it is your responsibility to post the hospital pictures on the internet; and contrary to your belief many dominicans have access to the internet. we appreciate your presence on our island but do belive that you need to show some respect for our people and our hospital.
Again, I do not mean to disrespect anyone, and I actually really love working at PMH. I’ll try and put up some pictures of the front of the hospital as well. I realize that there are many Dominicans with Internet access, but I think it’s probably a smaller percentage of the total population than I’m used to in the States.
Sorry if you found my post disrespectful. It was not meant to be!
Kendra
Hi,
I am a resident in PA. I would love to set up an elective in Dominica. I would truly appreciate any help or information you can provide me reguarding who to contact or which rotations may be more worthwhile.
Thanks