During the October 2021 White Coat Ceremony for American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC)’s UK Track program, third-year student Dhir Gala shared this message of encouragement to his medical school peers: “You are the patient’s light at one of the darkest times. At that moment, you are the person when they reveal their innermost fears and worries, and it is your compassion, intelligence, and discipline that guides their care and their hope. My hope is you will hone those skills as you progress through medical school so that you will always bring compassionate care to your practice.”
Gala, Class of ‘24, currently is completing his third-year clinical rotations at Epsom Hospital in Surrey, England. As a member of the AUC UK-Track inaugural class and former president of the UK Track Student Government Association (SGA), Gala has become a leader and role model for AUC students electing to enter the university’s UK Track.
During his speech to new incoming medical students, Gala emphasized the value of compassionate care and stressed the importance of overcoming setbacks while remaining focused on the road ahead.
“Remember, you got here on the merit of your work. You earned your spot here, and you can make it work,” said Gala. “Whatever the setback, remember this moment—what this white coat meant. [I believe] anything is possible because of your work and dedication.”
Gala was reflecting on his own nontraditional journey into the medical field.
Born and raised in India, Gala attended college in Pennsylvania on a tennis scholarship. There he learned about AUC’s UK Track, a pathway to an MD degree made possible through a partnership with AUC and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in Preston, UK. When the track launched in September 2019, Gala was able to realize his dream of pursuing medicine and became one of the first students to enter the program. That cohort has since graduated the medical sciences portion of MD degree program and now completing the clinical sciences portion at affiliated hospital sites.
The UK track, according to Gala, was an attractive offer due to its proximity to both Europe and India. Gala and his UK Track classmates traveled to various cities in the UK such as Glasgow and Edinburgh. One of his most memorable experiences was ice skating in London.
Moreover, being in the UK has allowed Gala to explore the unique aspects of patient interaction in the National Health Service (NHS) affiliated hospitals.
“As a medical student, I typically care for two or three patients on the hospital ward and I have the opportunity to spend more time with them and to get to know them,” he said. “During my pediatrics rotation, I loved working with kids and helping their parents understand what is going on. I loved listening to their stories and educating them about what the treatment will be. For patients who are having surgery, being part of their support network is a vital part of the learning process for me.”
It is these experiences that Gala shared with the med students at the White Coat Ceremony.
“Your white coat is a symbol of your commitment to patients,” he said. “In the midst of their personal chaos and during their greatest vulnerability, you have earned the right to enter a patient’s life and connect with them. Use the trust given to you as the compass for caring for them.”
Of note in Gala’s speech was the responsibility students have toward their own self-care. He said this is especially important for students entering the challenging program of medical school.
“Make sure you make the time to grab a cup of coffee with your friends,” he said. “Exercise or meditate or whatever helps you recharge. Medical school is a marathon, not a sprint.”
Gala is passionate about mentoring and teaching, and has tutored various courses throughout his basic sciences. Students helping one another is another one of the benefits Gala mentions in his address, noting that he believes the interaction between the different semesters allows for students to get more of the medical school experience and support from one another.
He said that the AUC UK Track is a small family that has really begun to establish itself: “We have students from all different countries bringing their unique perspectives and culture to medicine.” He also is grateful for the highly experienced faculty “who want to see you succeed in this program.”
“It has helped me knowing I am always on a first name basis with all my professors, knowing I am not a number in a class,” he explained. Gala said this has helped him get the support he has needed to excel during medical school.
“The UK Track has been pivotal in my success,” he said. “It has taught me the education and skills needed to help me become the physician I always wanted to be.”
