Paul Ragoobar Wins Intern of the Year Prize at Queen Elizabeth Hospital's Annual Internship Awards

Paul Ragoobar has won the Intern of the Year prize in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s annual internship awards, from a field of three dozen colleagues.

During a ceremony in the hospital’s boardroom on Friday, Ragoobar and four other top interns – Shaliza Ali, Clementine Forter-Chee-A-Tow, Toni Osbourne, and Latisha Edwards – were recognised for outstanding contributions during their internships.

Internship Coordinator Dr Clyde Cave commended the dedication and competence of all 36 interns, describing them as bright and competent doctors. He emphasised that the chosen five were regarded as exemplary role models by their peers. Dr Cave also addressed the evolving nature of medical practice, noting the changing dynamics between doctors and patients.

He said: “You are unfortunately coming into medical practice at a time when the role of the doctor has changed the automatic trust that we used to get just by saying, ‘Hello, I’m Dr So-and-So’, is no longer there. They will question your advice, which is not a bad thing. It just makes it harder for you to know the questions and the answers that Dr Google has and be able to put them into a context that your patients can relate to.”

He further highlighted the expanding horizons of medical applications, cautioning interns about the increasing reliance on Artificial Intelligence in the field: “Your biggest challenge is going to be to convince people that you are indeed a better choice . . . that you will bring experience, humanity, and a personal touch to your interaction with patients.”

QEH Executive Director for Clinical and Diagnostic Services Dr The Most Honourable Corey Forde underscored the critical role of physicians in saving lives and supporting healthcare at all levels throughout the island’s main tertiary care institutions.

“The work they do and the sort of recognition they get is something that we need to be proud of. I want to celebrate [these interns] for the work that they have done for the institution and this country. And I want them to understand this is just the start of a very, very, very long journey in medicine. I encourage you to continue to do better and to continue to excel in every single aspect of your career,” Dr Forde told the interns, recognising their achievements as just the beginning of a lifelong journey in the field of medicine.

(RG)