CIMS graduates Five New Internists to bring the Number 27 so far…
The colourful ceremony took place on November 25 2023 at Mbingo Baptist Hospital. The event was the graduation of five internal Medicine physicians after four years of intensive training at the Christian Internal Medicine Specialization (CIMS) of the Baptist School of Public Health (BIHS). They included: Dr. Chia Blessing Mom, Dr. Leukeng Tamgoua Paule Larrisa, Dr. Ngoueffo Mbognou Gaelle, Dr. Tintinu Edmond Agongtia and Dr. Ekollo Dibobe Rodrigue Salomon
While congratulating the graduates for reaching this physical milestone in their medical journey, the Director of the CBC Health Services (DHS), Prof. Tih Pius Muffih charged them to carry forward the values of integrity, professionalism, and patient-centered approach demonstrated during training as they embark in this new phase of their careers.
The Director expressed with satisfaction that the administration has witnessed their unwavering commitment, tireless efforts, and the intellectual rigor they have applied to their studies and clinical practice and to him this achievement does not only signify dedication to the field but also marks the beginning of a promising and impactful career for the doctors. Aware that the journey has been one of continuous growth and learning, the DHS said, the system is immensely proud to have played a part in supporting their pursuit of excellence in the field of medicine.
The public health expert reminded the graduates that Internal Medicine and surgery are demanding responsibilities, noble disciplines in the medical profession and not only do they demonstrate expertise but also empathy, genuine compassion to the wellbeing of patients. The Director echoed that their successful completion of this specialization is testament of their capabilities and potentials they hold to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those under their care.
It was an avenue for Prof. Tih Pius to also thank the faculty for the devotion they have demonstrated in preparing this men and women to go out as servants to serve the population while noting that the health department is appreciative of the commitment of the Dean and Faculty in preparing them for greater works of life.
Calling on the graduates to remember the mission and vision statement, the DHS said, learning is a life long journey, and he is certain they will continue to embrace new challenges and opportunities with the same enthusiasm and dedication that has brought them to this level. “Never forget the vision and mission statements but use them as your shield and guide as you navigate through your medical career. We receive you into the CBC Health Services family with open hands, the fields are wide and the harvest is waiting,” he remarked.
The CBC Executive President was highly represented during the graduation by the Belo Field Pastor who extended the EP’s Salutation to all especially to the graduates for devoting their time and resources to receive such training. Though challenging, he was grateful to God for their perseverance. To the Faculty, the proprietor of all CBC Institutions appreciated the team for doing a great job, noting that they will be rewarded.
Prof. Njamnshi Alfred, Board chair of BIHS while saluting the students, brought greetings from the Dean Emeritus, Prof. Dennis Palmer stating his excitement that the five new CIMS Doctors bring to total 27 graduates of the programme since its inception. The Board chair also brought greetings from the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Yaounde 1, an institution affiliated to CIMS and playing a supervisory role. The Dean conveyed congratulations to the graduates, the administrative, teaching and support staff of BIHS for haven spared no effort to ensure the high quality of the training the residents have received in the past four years.
The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Yaounde 1 through Prof. Njamnshi, was also appreciative of the significant efforts put into the PACCS Programme that trains general surgeons not just for Cameroon but for other African Countries. Within the framework of the supervisory role that the university has on all the training programmes, it was an opportunity for the Dean to appreciate BIHS for participating in pedagogic and all other activities organized in Yoaunde, expecting that the effort will continue in the future.
Prof. Njamnshi also reverberated the greetings of the Honorary Board Chair of the Institution, His Excellency PM Emeritus and Grand Chancellor of National Orders at the Presidency of the Republic of Cameroon, Philemon Yang who said to the students, “You are participating in what will transform the future, I am proud of what the power of God is doing in Mbingo”.
On a personal note, Prof Njamnshi appreciated the Director of the CBC Health Services for sponsoring most of the training activities of the Program without which nothing will be possible. Reliably informed by the Dean that the next set of residents will have some coming as far as Ethiopia, he said, “Those who are coming from Ethiopia might not be for the CBC Health Services but if they are Christians and committed to missions as we sang in the mission statement and if we are able to support them, it is an investment worth getting into because that is kingdom investment”. He by that encouraged the Director to sponsor them for the kingdom of God which is the mandate.
Dr. Ellekvist Peter in his Commencement address said his coming to Cameroon has shown him the value of tenacity. Calling on the graduates to be ambassadors of Mbingo Baptist Hospital, he described them as bright reasons why their efforts are being honoured that day. He also called on them to remember that there is always room for further improvement of skills, therefore attending meetings, conferences and sharing knowledge with other colleagues is the ideal. Caring for patients should be the most important part of their duty having in mind that when they meet a patient, they also meet God. “Do No Harm!” he recapped.
The newly graduating Internists were awarded their Diplomas by the Director of CIMS, Dr. Julie Stone who presented a glimpse of the thesis written by each of the Doctors based on a case report. The soft-spoken Dr. Julie said she is very proud of the five who graduated as she has seen each of them grow, develop and flourish many times during the programme. She noted that it is necessary to bring people to order, to help them see what they are doing well and what they still need to revise but she found that this batch of residents are very amendable to direction, they were all wonderful and is the first batch to each complete a thesis as a requirement for graduation and that will be a requirement going forward.
The CIMS Director added that It was her hope that as the graduates go forward, they will follow the Lord whole heartedly, they will seek his wisdom as they care for many complex and ill patients, patients that do not only have physical needs but also and more importantly spiritual needs so they will use their interactions with the patients to witness about God’s love.
In a Charge to the graduates, Dr. Tumi Divine after thanking the them for staying on the course, he resonated that access, affordability and quality health care to all in Cameroon is still a dream, but CIMS and PAACS have taken it as a duty to move forward the medical practice in Cameroon.
Looking at the 12th Batch marking 27 of the graduates of the CIMS Programme, Dr. Tume said he sees complete quality health care within the CBC Health Services institutions, thanks to the training of these Doctors. Remarking that they are all full of stories about their journey through the programme, Dr. Tumi asked the graduating residents to spread the news in order to inspire many others. While calling them graduates like no other, he charged them to put their faith in Jesus the great Physician and to present the small worries in a talk to God.
Responding on behalf of the graduates, the chief resident, Dr. Ekollo Dibobe expressed their profound joy, relief and gratitude to the institution and faculty. Mentioning that the journey was long, filled with many challenges, trials and tribulations but it was also filled with joy and unforgettable pleasant experiences. They were grateful to God Almighty for his faithfulness, guidance, his comfort, his divine wisdom and love that provided them with the necessary tools to overcome the various challenges that came along the way. They appreciated the CBC Health Services in general and Mbingo Baptist Hospital in particular through its administration for housing the BIHS and providing an ideal platform for learning, teaching and growing in the knowledge of the word of God.
To the Dean of BIHS, Prof. Keith Streadfeild and his devoted team, the graduates were appreciative of their effort in ensuring that the different programs (CIMS, PAACS and the Physiotherapy Programme) gain the respect and recognition they rightly deserve at the national and international levels. Their gratitude also went out to the faculty, both those onsite led by the Director, Dr. Julie Stone as well as the external faculty for teaching them and sharing their experiences with them and for pushing them and challenging them to attain heights they thought were beyond their reach. They were equally grateful to the residents, general practitioners, nurse practitioners as well as support staff, for standing by them in good and bad times.