Medical student Kourdell Powell intends to give back to his community in Laventille and the country when he becomes a full-fledged doctor.
Secretary of the Association of Psychiatrists (APTT) Dr Varma Deyalsingh, treasurer of the Medical Board of T&T, heaped praises on Powell who resides in Rhyner Street, Laventille, for his commitment to medicine and social responsibility.
Powell, a second-year medical student at UWI, Mona, spent the last four months under the mentorship of Dr Deyalsingh where he was exposed to both the private and public health system.
On presenting Powell with a Littman’s stethoscope, sphygmomanometer and a glucometer, Deyalsingh reminisced how he started social work when he was a medical student more than 26 years ago with the late MP for Laventille West, Morris Marshall.
Deyalsingh said both he and Marshall had a plan to help end the negative stigma which overshadowed the people of Laventille and it was the duty of those who had been blessed to lend a helping hand to the youths so they can become the shining stars of Laventille. “Good things happen in Laventille and the world must know,” he said.
Powell expressed thanks to his mentor and gave a commitment he would return to take the baton from Deyalsingh to serve his community and country.