KCOB Terrence Henry is a medical student at St. Helen University which is Guyanese owned but located on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia.
I was born and grew up in the parish of St. Thomas where I spent most of my childhood living in the small community of Highbury with my mother and two siblings as my father had migrated.
My early childhood education was at the Calvary Basic School, and then it was on to Lyssons Primary School. After completing GSAT examinations, I entered Morant Bay High where my love for the sciences was developed.
Desiring to excel at the CAPE examinations after doing well at CSEC in the 2010 examinations, I received advice and encouragement from my Aunt, Kadian Henry, head of the English Department at Kingston College, to come and pursue CAPE studies there. This is the greatest decision I have made in my life thus far as it pertains to the young man that I am today and the man I will be in the future.
In no time, I was part of the KC family and regarded myself as a true Fortisan even though my stay wasn’t long but it felt like I was at KC for my entire high school life. I recall having to wake up 4 o’clock in the morning to catch the bus to KC. I was never daunted by that and remained focused on my dream as my mother was always there to encourage me every morning.
At KC, I accomplished quite a few things: President of the school’s debating society, Captain of the debate team, Top CAPE Unit Two performer in the 2012 exams, with passes in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Caribbean Studies and Literatures in English.
In September of 2012, I enrolled in the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of the West Indies, Mona. In June of 2013, I was accepted to St. Helen University School of Medicine in St. Lucia to pursue my dream of studying medicine.
I decided to go to St. Helen because it was aligned with what I wanted to achieve personally as well as being able to experience a different approach to medicine not just in the Caribbean but other parts of the World such as North America where I intend to do my clinical years.
St. Helen’s student centered model is also focused on continuous involvement with the community, health centers and hospitals, giving students the maximum possible real life exposure and breadth of practical experience while in University.
I also enjoy interacting with students from many different walks of life. This experience will be helpful when I return to Jamaica in the next four years to help impart knowledge and care for those who are in need of it. Eventually, I plan to specialize in Plastic Surgery, my lifelong dream, or my most recent interest -- a career in Pediatric Surgery.