Theme: Weathering the Storm

American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine presents TEDxAUCMed, our inaugural TEDx conference. TED is a global community, welcoming people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world. The theme of this year’s event is “Weathering the Storm,” and we are excited to present a diverse group of speakers whose insight and experiences will energize us to reflect on our world, our communities, and our own lives. The conference will be held in Lecture Hall 2. We are excited to bring the TEDx experience to AUC and the island of Sint Maarten and look forward to sharing in this experience with you.

American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
1 University Drive at Jordan Road
Cupecoy, Sint Maarten (Dutch part), 00000
Sint Maarten (Dutch part)

Cassandra Richardson, MSW; MA

Executive Director of Safe Haven Foundation, St. Maarten (Dutch Part)

Cassandra Richardson is a native of the island of St. Maarten/St. Martin and received her academic degrees in the US and Canada, respectively. She is a social worker who has spent much of her career in community development and social advocacy for all types of social justice causes, in service of vulnerable groups. Her super power is bringing people together to advocate for change, and often her weapon of choice is community art engagement, mobilizing people to care. Cassandra thinks that the Transcendental Power of Art is very compelling, and she is drawn to its influence that ushers in beauty and revolution, and grace to which ever community that recognizes its potential and marvelous possibilities.

Constantine Kanakis

Medical Laboratory Scientist and MD Candidate 2019

Constantine is a near-recent graduate of AUC School of Medicine, with nearly a decade’s worth of clinical experience as a board-certified medical laboratory scientist. He studied undergraduate molecular biology, political science, and bioethics and his graduate research focused on novel biochemical interventions for hematopoietic stem cell transplants and engraftment. He has held various laboratory and public health roles. He is highly involved with the American Society for Clinical Pathology as a medical student awardee, a serving member on their Commission for Professional Development, and on their official Social Media Team. He is an official contributor to the ABIM’s national Choosing Wisely initiative, and advocates for pathology and the advancement of patient care in his published works, speaking engagements, and graphic medicine illustrations.

Dr. Gautam Ullal

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, NEUROSCIENCE

Dr. Gautam Ullal is an Associate Professor teaching in Neuroscience at the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) since 2016. After completing his medical degree and then residency in psychiatry from National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in India he earned his PhD from Department of Neurosurgery at Hamamatsu University School of Medicine in Japan. He taught at the McMaster University and McMaster Michael G Degroote School of Medicine in Canada for thirteen years and Medical University of the Americas in Nevis before joining the AUC family. He loves talking about the brain.

Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner

B.V.Sc., Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, The University of Queensland M.Sc., Emerging Infectious Diseases, Royal Veterinary College, University of London M.P.H., Epidemiology, International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health M.R.C.V.S. Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner - an internationally recognized authority on global threats from infectious disease - has more than 25 years of technical and policy experience in infectious disease surveillance and response. He is an assistant professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences at Penn State Hershey College of Medicine and teaches courses on public health and hospital preparedness for disasters and terrorist emergencies, biological risk management, and developing training exercises and drills. He currently is the Director of Strategic Partnerships in Disaster Medicine at both the Department of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, and with the Caribbean Center for Disaster Medicine at the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine on the island of St. Maarten. He has appeared on CNN, BBC, C-SPAN and other news outlets to share his expertise in global health threats.

Fouad Berry

AUC Medical Student

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Fouad Berry is a young aspiring physician who started his journey into medicine in September of 2018 at The American University of the Caribbean. From the age of 14, Fouad has made it his mission to leave lasting impacts on the those around him- serving as a mentor in community outreach programs, becoming a certified community emergency response member, volunteering with local hospitals, election campaigns and global NGO's. His goal is to complete his training as a physician and return to his community to provide free and quality healthcare to those who can’t afford it.

Joe Dominique

Journalist/Broadcaster/Artist

Born in the Commonwealth of Dominica, Joe Dominique is a British Citizen with a passion for the written word and the visual arts. He studied and worked in the UK before returning to the Caribbean via the Cayman Islands, Grenada, Montserrat and St. Maarten, where he has now spent most of his working life. Mr. Dominique is married for 38 years to wife, Esther and has three children, Lee, Rae and Alyssa.

Melissa Harrision-Grinuva

Aspiring Author

Melissa is a Caribbean girl at heart and a history enthusiast. Aspiring author, avid reader, and Baker of the best Banana Bread Pudding you have ever tasted. Having experienced hurricanes and tropical storms all her life, 6 months of the year, she has had an off again on again relationship with resiliency. Her talk introduces resiliency from a different angle, with a Caribbean twist.

Sir Roland Richardson

Artist

Born on the island of St. Martin, Sir Roland Richardson has emerged internationally as a leading artist in the School of Caribbean Art.Working over 50 years as a “Plein Air” Impressionist, Sir Roland offers a unique view of his native West Indian culture while observing the ever-changing world of Light and Color in all his creations. His work has been exhibited extensively around the globe with over 100 one-man exhibitions in galleries, museums and public spaces. He was knighted by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands in 2007 for his lifelong artistic contribution to his community. He has also received a Life-time Achievement Award on behalf of the French Government.

Tsitsi Rwakonda

AUC Medical Student

Tsitsi Rwakonda, is a proud Zimbabwean who recently became a proud U.S. citizen. She loves God, life, good friends and good food! She has always had an adventurous spirit and remembers always wishing and praying that her life would be one great adventure after the next and life sure has delivered! She enjoys watching political news/analysts, exercising, the beach and a good book. She hopes to one day inspire others to keep reaching and searching for their higher selves, as her own journey has opened up many beautiful doors of light and love. She is currently a fifth semester and could not be more excited for the transition to the next phase!

Yassin Nayel

AUC Medical Student

Born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, Yassin Nayel found his passion for Global Health early in life. Throughout his adolescence, Yassin traveled back and forth between Egypt and Germany highlighting the disproportionate burden of diseases shared by countries of the Global South. Through a soccer scholarship, he had the opportunity to pursue his undergraduate degree in British Columbia, Canada, where he began working towards eradicating Trachoma in Egypt. At the moment, he is pursuing his medical degree, while constantly working on research aiming to provide equal treatment of infectious diseases worldwide.