Mr Stephen Harrison-Mirfield is to join the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Medical University of Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain) as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Stephen is currently a senior executive with KPMG global consultancy group.
Stephen brings a wealth of over 16 years of human resources, technological and financial experience to RCSI Bahrain. For the last six years he has been Head of Central Services for KPMG in Saudi Arabia.
Stephen has a keen interest in Education and Training, having started his career as President of the Birmingham City University Students Union and more recently having worked on two large education establishment projects - the $10 billion KAUST University and the $500 million Suleeiman Al Rajhi University, which are located in Saudi Arabia.
RCSI Bahrain Interim President, Professor Sameer Otoom said "I want to wish Stephen well in his new role. Stephen has a proven track record in successful operational management and I am confident that he will continue to guide RCSI Bahrain in its on-going development as a global leader in healthcare education."
The newly created position of Chief Operating Officer will be responsible for the oversight of all internal operational functions that support the programmes of the University. In addition, it will support the further development and implementation of policy and structure of RCSI. The COO will report to the President of RCSI Bahrain.
Stephen has been living in Bahrain since 2006 and is married with three children and is expected to take up his new role in October.

Please note that the cost of the course is BD300 and must be paid at registration

COURSE DATES

Wednesday 27, Thursday 28 and Friday 29 November 2013

COURSE VENUE

RCSI Bahrain

COURSE AUDIENCE

Surgical trainees in their first year of basic training

COURSE OBJECTIVES

To train participants in basic techniques for all types of surgery

COURSE CONTENT

The emphasis of the course is on:-

- basic knot tying techniques

- suturing techniques

- percutaneous biopsies

- gastrointestinal/vascular anastomosis

- repair of nerve and tendons

- introduction to safe laparoscopy

- endoscopic procedures

HOW TO APPLY

There are only sixteen places available on each course. These are awarded on a first come, first-served basis on receipt of completed application and fee. The closing date for applications is 13th November 2013. Please keep this Surgical Training Office advised of any changes to your contact details.

TO ENROL, PLEASE RETURN COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM AND ACCOMPANYING PAYMENT OF 300 BD TO:

Rachel Hughes
RCSI Bahrain
P.O. Box 15503,
Adilya,
Bahrain
Tel +973 17351450
Email rhughes@rcsi-mub.com

Membership Of RCSI, Royal College Of Surgeons In Ireland

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) is one of Irelands longest established and most respected academic institutions. For more than two centuries, the College has provided education and training of the highest calibre to students and healthcare professionals from Ireland and more than 78 other countries.

Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (MRCSI) is awarded on successful completion of the Colleges membership examination. The MRCSI is a prestigious membership and an internationally recognised quality standard. Being an MRCSI holder demonstrates to colleagues, peers and employers a doctors clinical competence and commitment to his or her profession.

Members of the College receive complimentary surgical journals and other publications, preferential access to College events facilities and resources, and are provided with a suite of other professional and personal benefits.

STRUCTURE OF THE RCSI MEMBERSHIP EXAMINATION IN GENERAL SURGERY

The RCSI Membership Examination is an intercollegiate exam which is fully recognised by both the GMC (UK) and IMC (Ireland). It consists of two parts which are structured as follows:

MRCS Part A - Multiple-Choice Question Exam (MCQ)

Part A is a four-hour MCQ examination broken into two papers, each of two hours duration, taken on the same day. The papers cover generic surgical sciences and applied core knowledge.

MRCS Part B - Oral, Clinical and Communication Skills Exam (O,C,C)

Part B comprises three separate components; the Oral, the Clinical and the Communication Skills Component:

MRCS Part B - Viva; The Part B Viva exam is an oral one covering Applied Surgical Anatomy and Operative Surgery, Applied Physiology and Critical Care, and Applied Surgical Pathology and Principles of Surgery. On successful completion of this part of the exam, candidates can go on to take MRCS Part B - Clinical and Communication Skills.

MRCS Part B - Clinical and Communication Skills; This exam requires candidates to demonstrate an acceptable level of ability to examine patients in the following areas: skin and subcutaneous lesions, breast / axilla, neck, trunk / abdomen / chest, groin, vascular pathology, and orthopaedic disorders. The Communication Skills Section takes place at the same time and in that there are tests for Information Giving and Information Gathering. Click here to view the exams dates

Additional information

In an event that brought together all newly enrolled medical students and their parents, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Medical University of Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain) held an orientation week for around 200 undergraduate students in medicine. Students from more than 22 different nationalities were introduced to different aspects of student life with the support of staff and senior students.

The orientation week is organized annually and is intended to facilitate the new students transition into university life, while considering the challenges imposed on them by the new learning environment and different cultural and social backgrounds.

This years proceedings commenced with a welcome breakfast held in the campus atrium, where students and their parents were given the opportunity to hear from Professor Sameer Otoom, Interim President, and Professor Joe McMenamin, Head of School of Medicine, who outlined rules & regulations and the universitys expectations of students.

The new intake of the School of Medicine consists of students coming from a diverse range of countries, some as far afield as New Zealand, Mauritius and Canada, attracted by the prestigious reputation and international caliber of RCSI Bahrain.

In conjunction with King Hamad University Hospital, RCSI Bahrain is launching a series of free public health information lectures.

The Mini Med lecture series will take place over three Thursday mornings at RCSI Bahrain, which is located next door to King Hamad University Hospital. A free babysitting service and light refreshments will be provided.

On Thursday, September 26, Professor Eamon Tierney will deliver a lecture on Pain Relief and Labour.

Professor Tierney will describe the different types of pain relief in labour and childbirth and which type of pain relief a patient might choose. After the lecture there will be time for discussion during which people will be free to ask any questions they have about pain relief in childbirth.

On Thursday, October 31, Dr Gufran Jassims lecture, Menopause: Signs, Symptoms and Treatment, will be given in Arabic.
Dr Ghufran will talk about menopause and the management of its associated symptoms with special emphasis on hot flushes. Her lecture will also describe the latest guidelines for screening during this time and the services available in the health centers for women who have reached the menopause.

And on Thursday, November 28, Professor Kevin Dunne will deliver the lecture, Does your baby suffer from sleeplessness, excemza or colic?
RCSI Bahrain is delighted to be hosting the Mini Med lecture series in conjunction with King Hamad University Hospital, said Professor Sameer Otoom, Interim President RCSI Bahrain. These lectures provide a great community service by creating awareness and helping to educate the general public on these important public health matters.

The concept for the Mini Med lecture series comes from RCSI in Dublin, where it has been very successful and regularly draws large crowds. The Mini Med Lecture series in RCSI Bahrain is being organised by the Universitys Community Engagement Office.

The Head of Community Engagement, Ms Julie Sprakel said the Mini Med lectures will deliver on RCSI Bahrains noble purpose of enhancing health education and awareness in Bahrain. The topics that we have chosen for the first three lectures are very important health matters and we encourage members of the public to come along on the day for what promises to be a series of very insightful lectures.

Up to 100 senior nurses took part in a two-day Clinical Teaching and Supervision workshop to become clinical tutors for RCSI Bahrain. The nurses who took part teach, assess and supervise RCSI Bahrain nursing students during their clinical placements in Salmaniyah Medical Complex, Kind Hamad University Hospital, Bahrain Defence Forces Hospital, other ministry of health medical facilities and a number of private hospitals.

The workshop in Clinical Teaching and Supervision, introduced the senior nurses to the RCSI Bahrain, its nursing programmes, RCSIs teaching standards, methods and procedures.

Professor Seamus Cowman, Head of School of Nursing and Midwifery said that "the development of clinical competence in student nurses is essential to high standards of nursing care to patients. Suitable conditions for clinical learning and an understanding of clinical teaching skills are of paramount importance. We are very pleased that our nursing colleagues from the hospitals will join us in developing our standards for student nurses to learn whilst on clinical placement."

RCSI Bahrain Clinical Programming Officer, Ms Erfaneh Naghieh said that "this is an intensive two-day course which aims to ensure that the clinical tutors adopt a more formal role when it comes to teaching students in the future."

RCSIs examination calendar for 2014 is now available at http://www.rcsi.ie/professional_exams please note that the closing date for the MRCS Part A examination on 7.1.14 is imminent. Email queries regarding exams to ssgsara@rcsi.ie

Think Pink Bahrain has donated BD1500 to RCSI Bahrain from its 2013 Education Fund. The money will be used to buy books and research journals on breast cancer for students and staff in the colleges library.

Think Pink Bahrains, Ms Julie Sprakel presented the money to Ms Evelyn Anand, RCSI Bahrains Learning Resource Centre Manager.

Ms Anand said "RCSI Bahrains Library started developing a special collection from the generous annual donations from Think Pink. This money will go a long way in helping to expand the collection and increase awareness of breast cancer among staff and students."

Think Pinks Julie Sprakel said the donation was part of the Charitys core principle of education. "Education is the first step to prevention", Ms Sprakel said.

To date Think Pink Bahrain has donated a total of BD4500 to RCSI Bahrains Learning Resource Centre.

In a separate event also at RCSI Bahrain, Think Pink Bahrain in collaboration with AMH Hospital addressed female staff and their female guests on breast self-examination.

Following the Universities noble purpose of enhancement of health in Bahrain, Community Engagement Office supported for the second year, Ibn Khuldoon National Schools (IKNS) health promotion programme for their Year 12 students. This follows on from a very successful pilot programme last academic year and will now become a regular fixture in the schools academic curriculum. Once again the course, which runs over several weeks commenced yesterday, 22nd of October.

Aimed at addressing healthcare issues that may arise as their Yr 12 students transition from high school to university, many of whom are travelling overseas for further education. The on campus event, one of six supported by RCSI Bahrain saw 16 Yr 12 students attend team building physical exercises completed the half day event, and the importance of fitness and health with the Mr. Scott Frankum, Sports Coordinator and Ms. Anastazia Salinas, Sports Trainer and Coach at the Universities SRC. This was followed by an hour and a half cooking lesson courteous of Fish Express. The on campus restaurant further supported the students with a quick healthy recipe guide so they are aware of the basics, including food hygiene.

In the coming weeks other training sessions will take place in the school itself and will address other important issues on health awareness issues and training that will endeavor to further support their more from high school students to university students.

The Royal College of Surgeons - Medical University of Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain) opened the campus once again to the Central Blood Bank (CBB) of Bahrain for its biannual blood donation drive. The CBB visits the University twice a year and sees staff, students and stakeholders supporting the endeavors of the Centre.

Averaging 70 blood donation drivers per year the CBB processes approximately 11,000 units of blood each year. Blood product donations are frequently used by health care centres, government and private hospitals.

The CBB follows the International Standard and Regulation of the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) and the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT).

A total of 35 units were donated during the morning session at RCSI Bahrain. Head of Community Engagement, Ms. Julie Sprakel said This ongoing commitment is an important collaboration between the two entities in which RCSI Bahrain staff and students can donate blood and possibly save someones life.

A team of 11 sea kayakers, including staff and students from RCSI Bahrain have completed a tough endurance challenge by paddling around Bahrain in just three days. Paddle Bahrain 2013 took place to raise money for charity and to raise awareness of Type ll Diabetes.
A large crowd came out to support the team when they finished the challenge at Amwaj Marina yesterday. A carnival event took place at the Marina, which included a band and DJ and a number of market stalls.

Dr Shaikh Mohammed Bin Abdulla Alkhalifa, Minister of State for Defence Affairs and Patron of the Bahrain Diabetes Society attended the event and congratulated the team on their achievement.

The Paddle Bahrain challenge was undertaken for the benefit of the Bahrain Diabetes Society. The aim of the challenge was to raise funds and increase public awareness of the risk factors associated with developing Type II diabetes.

The final day event at Amawaj Marina marked the end of Paddle Bahrain and also celebrated World Diabetes Day.
Dr. Declan Gaynor from RCSI Bahrain and a member of the Paddle Bahrain team said he was delighted to have completed the challenge. He paid tribute to the efforts of his team members in raising awareness of and raising funds for Diabetes.

Paddle Bahrain wish to acknowledge the support of their gold sponsors Renault and the silver sponsors; Nexus Financial Services, Zurich, Alba, House of Uniforms and Skate Shack who have made the three day challenge in November and 6 month public awareness campaign possible. Paddle Bahrain is also receiving support from the Royal Bahrain Naval Forces, the Bahrain Coastguard, the Bahrain Maritime Sports Association, AlBander Resort, Durrat Al Bahrain, Sofitel and Amwaj Marina.

For more information and pictures on the three day challenge visit Paddle Bahrain on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PaddleBahrain

The first volunteer project for the new academic year saw ten undergraduate students volunteer for Hayaa Beyia Eid celebrations at Alia School for Early Intervention. The event was a celebration at the school for the children to mark the coming Eid holiday period.

RCSI Bahrain Community Engagement volunteers supported the event by handling the games activity section, which saw a variety of fun activities such as face painting, ball games, obstacle games and drawing competition.

Ms Kawthar Al Gallaf from the Community Engagement Office was at the event to support the students. "I was proud to be part of this project and of the student volunteers from RCSI Bahrain. They were very professional, helpful and caring. The staff and students of Alia had a fantastic morning and it was a great way for them to start the Eid holidays" she said.

A total of 1531 hours of volunteer work was achieved by the 2012- 2013 Community Engagement volunteers. With a record number of registered staff and students wanting to participate this year, the University aims to support more activities locally, regionally and internationally.

Nursing staff at RCSI Bahrain have taken a step closer to becoming members of the international nursing organisation Sigma Theta Tau. Sigma Theta Tau is an international organization with chapters in 90 countries around the world. Currently no chapter exists in the Middle East and RCSI Bahrain will be the first to be admitted into the organisation.

At an event in RCSI Bahrain nursing staff were inducted into the Ruffaida Honor Society, a prelude to obtaining full Sigma Theta Tau chapter status. The event included speeches from two keynote speakers, Professor Rowaida Al - Maaitah from Jordan University of Science and Technology and Professor Teresa Pawlikowska from RCSI Dublin.

Professor Rowaida has devoted her professional life to developing the nursing profession and to the empowerment of women in the Arab world. Professor Theresa has a diverse academic and professional background. She has developed educational programmes in Lithuania, Japan, Albania and the World Bank and has a clinical background in oncology and family medicine.

Dr Catherine O Neill, President of the RCSI Bahrain Ruffaida Honor Society said that "This educational and induction event is a major step towards achieving full Sigma Theta Tau Chapter status in RCSI Bahrain. Currently no chapter exists in the Middle East and RCSI Bahrain is to be complemented for taking the lead on this."

On the 1st of November Bahrain Diabetes Society (BDS) under the patronage of H.E Shaikh (Dr) Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, held a public awareness afternoon on the eve of International Diabetes Month at Durrat Bahrain.

The three hour public awareness campaign was supported by RCSI Bahrain Community Engagement volunteers, specifically the Year 3 Nursing Students who support the operation of the pediatric mobile unit school visits.

The students were involved in dissemination of educational leaflets in English and Arabic that address healthy lifestyle choices and exercise to prevent Type II diabetes. The educational games that were designed at RCSI Bahrain were utilised making for a fun and interactive learning process about a disease that rates Bahrain in the top five countries worldwide with such an epidemic.

The BDS event concluded with a presentation honouring children who participated in the walkathon with H. E Sh(Dr) Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa and other community leaders

The first volunteer project for the new academic year saw ten undergraduate students volunteer for Hayaa Beyia Eid celebrations at Alia School; for Early Intervention.

The event was a celebration at the school for the children to mark the coming Eid holiday period. RCSI Bahrain Community Engagement volunteers supported the event by handling the games activity section, which saw a variety of fun activities such as face painting, ball games, obstacle games and drawing competition.

Ms Kawthar Al Gallaf was at the event to support the students and commented, I was proud to be part of this project and of the student volunteer from RCSI Bahrain. They were very professional, helpful and caring. The staff and students of Alia had a fantastic morning and was a great way for them to start the Eid holidays.

A total of 1531 hours of volunteer work was achieved by the 2012- 2013 Community Engagement volunteers. With a record number of registered staff and students wanting to participate this year, the University aims to support more activities locally, regionally and internationally.

Fifty six staff and students volunteered on Friday November 21 to collaborate with a local company, Bahrain National Insurance, in support of diabetes awareness. Staff handed out information leaflets and provided fitness advice to the supporters and participants of the walkathon.

Students lined the 3 kilometer walking track, handing out water and supporting the 300 registered participants. Speaking about the event Ms Prema Hoffman, RCSI Bahrain Community Engagement volunteer said It was great to see the eagerness of the RCSI Bahrain students during the event.

The spirit of engagement was clear to see, with students donned in red shirts handing out water and encouraging words, whilst raising awareness for a disease that affects many in Bahrain.

The Student Council of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Medical University of Bahrain organized the Universitys Annual International Festival on Saturday 23rd November at the University Campus in Busaiteen.

The international festival is an event where groups of students select a country to represent, whether their own or any other country they would like, and create a booth reflecting its culture, where the countrys main dishes are served.

This event is usually one of the most attended events all year. Attendees got to enjoy great dishes from Bahrain, Ireland, Iraq, Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Pakistan, India, Morocco, Turkey, the United States and many more. For many of the attendees, this event provides the first opportunity to experience the tastes of new cultures.

RCSI staff and students had the honour of receiving H.E. Dr Ahmed Nayif Rasheed , Ambassador of Iraq, H.E. Mr. Jauher Saleem, Ambassador of Pakistan, and Mr Amin Hassan, the Egyptian Council in Bahrain. The three diplomats expressed their admiration of the multicultural environment in RCSI Bahrain, and the students ability to highlight that diversification through such a great event.

Following a presentation by the Bahrain Irish Society on the activities and charity work conducted by the Society, RCSI Bahrain presented a cheque of BD4000 to the Society to support the work that it is doing in Bahrain. Professor Sameer Otoom presented the cheque to Mr James Kennedy, President of the Bahrain Irish Society.

Wishing the Bahrain Irish Society the best of luck with their local partnerships and community work, RCSI Bahrain Interim President, Professor Otoom said Support for community groups comes in many different forms and we at RCSI Bahrain are proud to support initiatives that in turn support the local community in one form or another.

The Bahrain Irish Society was established in 1975. The focus of the Society is to promote Irish culture in Bahrain. Since its foundation, the Society has always taken an active approach in contributing to local Bahraini charities, organising events and working in partnership with the community of Bahrain.

Over three days at the end of November, RCSI Bahrain ran a Basic Surgical Skills Course which is an essential course for junior surgical trainees. The candidates for the course were from Bahrain and other GCC countries and the course is run twice a year. It is conducted with collaboration from the Ministry of Health, Bahrain Defence Force Hospital and King Hamad University Hospital. Each course has a maximum of 16 trainees. Candidates gain valuable instruction in knot tying, suturing, intestinal anastomoses, vascular surgery and laparoscopic surgery.

The course was organised and run by Dr Mohammed Amin Al Awadhi; Mr Brian Lane, RCSI Dublin; Professor Martin Corbally, RCSI Bahrain and Chief of Staff, King Hamad University Hospital; and Professor Premnath, Penang Medical College, Penang, Malaysia. Johnson and Johnson also provided very valuable support.

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain) held a conferring ceremony on Saturday 30th November at the University campus in Busaiteen.

Around 70 Members of the Royal College of Surgeons, Members of the Faculty of Dentistry, Masters in Healthcare Management, Masters of Quality and Safety in Healthcare Management, and RCSI Bahrain Medical and Nursing gradauands, were all part of the ceremony.

Professor Patrick Broe, RCSI President addressed the graduands saying :" may I convey my warmest congratulations to all our new graduates, diplomates and members on reaching this important and exciting stage in your career - for some of you this is a milestone that places you securely on the training ladder, for others amongst you it is a statement that you have completed a comprehensive training programme and a rigorous assessment process and that you can now practice as a specialist at the highest standards".

Two aegrotat awards were given to the parents of the two RCSI Bahrain nursing students who have passed away during a car accident earlier this year. The Awards were presented to the fathers by Professor Patrick Broe, RCSI President and Professor Sameer Otoom, RCSI Bahrain Interim President.

Dr Seamas Cassidy and Ms Julie Sprakel have been named as the winners of the Deans Awards 2013. The announcement was made at the annual Deans Awards Dinner which took place on Thursday 5th December. Dr Seamas Cassidy - Senior Lecturer in Physics and Academic Head of Admissions, received the Academic Award. Ms Julie Sprakel of Community Engagement, was the recipient of the Support Award.

The Deans Award scheme was created as a way of acknowledging the diverse and essential contributions of all staff members. Both winners were presented with a commemorative award and a prize of BD500, by the Interim President - Professor Sameer Otoom, along with the Head of School of Medicine - Professor Joe McMenamin and the Chief Operating Officer - Mr Stephen Harrison-Mirfield.

Professor Sameer noted: For the third year I am honoured and privileged to acknowledge the contribution of all staff members to support the universitys commitment to excellence in education, research and service. The ethos behind the Deans Award scheme is to recognise and celebrate these exceptional achievements. I would like to congratulate Dr Seamas and Julie for their outstanding service to the University and I am delighted to announce them as the deserving winners of the Deans Awards 2013.

The evenings events commenced with a presentation by Professor Andrew Curtain entitled Everyone Gets a Prize! and included music provided by an Irish Band - The Tinkerbells.