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St. Theresa's Medical University (St. Kitts)

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Coordinates: 17°17′43″N 62°45′05″W / 17.2954°N 62.7514°W / 17.2954; -62.7514
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St. Theresa's Medical University
MottoStudium discendi voluntate quae cogi non potest constat
Motto in English
Study depends on the good will of the student, a quality which cannot be secured by compulsion
TypePrivate
Active2005–2009
ChancellorThomas M. Uhrin
PresidentJeffrey T. Irwin
DeanThomas M. Uhrin
Location
Basseterre
,
St. Kitts
AffiliationsWarnborough College
Institute of Technological Studies
Websitewww.stmu.org [dead link‍]

St. Theresa's Medical University was a medical school located in Basseterre, Saint Kitts prior to its closure in 2009.

History

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St. Theresa's Medical University was opened in August 2005[1] and closed in August 2009.[2]

The medical school was founded by its chancellor and executive dean, Thomas M. Uhrin, of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, where it also had offices. In St. Kitts Uhrin represented himself as holding an M.D. degree, but he had been terminated in 2004 by the International University of the Health Sciences in St. Kitts for misrepresenting his academic credentials. In 1999 he had resigned as Medical Director of a clinic in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, after admitting that he had not completed medical training and was not licensed as a medical doctor.[3] Uhrin's credentials became the subject of investigations by government ministries.

Of the initial class of 17 students, 15 withdrew amid allegations of verbal abuse, unsafe learning conditions, and improper treatment of cadavers. As of the fall term ending December 2006, STMU had approximately one dozen students.[4] In early 2007, the school claimed to have approximately 30 students enrolled.[5] At the time of its closure, it had eight or ten students.[2]

Academic partnerships

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STMU was in an academic partnership with Warnborough College for automatic admission of holders of Warnborough College (UK) Pre-Medical diplomas and issuance of dual degrees with Warnborough College (IE).[6][7][8] The Oregon Office of Degree Authorization states that Warnborough and STMU were operated jointly.[9]

In May 2009, the Institute of Technological Studies announced that it had formed a partnership to open a branch campus of STMU in Colombo, Sri Lanka, beginning in June 2009, with approximately 75 students, for which STMU claimed to have government approval.[10] The closure of STMU ended these plans and other plans for expansion into Italy.[2] "Health Education Associates Unlimited, Inc.", the investment firm promoted by Uhrin and STMU President and CEO Jeffrey T. Irwin to finance the Sri Lanka and Italy expansions, folded in 2009, leaving investors unpaid. A former US Attorney who examined the firm's agreements characterized it as fitting the characteristics of a Ponzi scheme; in December 2009, Uhrin denied that it was a plan to defraud investors.[11] Both Uhrin and Irwin later pleaded guilty in Federal Court to willful failure to file US tax returns, not reporting income from the operations of STMU and Health Education Associates. [12] [13]

Accreditation issues

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The school was accredited in 2005 by the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis to grant Bachelor of Science, Master of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Pharmacology and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. In 2006, the Ministry of Education's Accreditation Board commenced an investigation of STMU in light of unspecified complaints about STMU. The Ministry of Health commenced a separate investigation about the extent of Mr. Uhrin's medical training, the validity of his professional credentials and possible fraud in the accreditation application process. Yet another investigation by the Ministry of Health concerned the importation and handling of cadavers by the school.[5][14] The ministries did not disclose the results of their investigations, but stated that the school had lost its accreditation prior to it closing.[2]

Status in US and UK

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The US Department of Education's National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA) does not recognize the accreditation standards used by the government of St. Kitts and Nevis as being comparable to those used to accredit medical schools in the United States. Accordingly, STMU students were ineligible to participate in the Federal Family Educational Loan (FFEL) program.[15]

STMU graduates are eligible to apply for certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)for entry into residency or fellowship programs in the US.[16] This does not assure that certification will be granted, or that once granted, a STMU graduate will be eligible for a residency or fellowship program or for medical licensing in a particular state.

  • Arkansas The Arkansas State Medical Board banned STMU graduates from medical licensing in that state, and STMU graduates are ineligible for residency or fellowships at the University of Arkansas College of Medicine.[17]
  • California STMU graduates are not eligible for licensure in the State of California, because it is not listed as a recognized medical school by the Medical Board of California.[18]
  • Florida A former STMU student was advised in November 2009 by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy that he was ineligible to be certified as a foreign pharmacy school graduate and could not sit for the Florida licensing examination due to STMU's lack of accreditation and other issues.[2]
  • Maine The State of Maine lists STMU as non-accredited,[19] which precludes use of a STMU degree to obtain employment, promotion or higher compensation, admission to an institution of higher education, or in connection with any business, trade, profession or occupation.[20]
  • Michigan The State of Michigan lists STMU as unaccredited, precluding use of a STMU degree to satisfy educational requirements of the Michigan Civil Service Commission.[21]
  • Oregon The State of Oregon Office of Degree Authorization lists STMU as unaccredited.[22]

STMU graduates are considered on a case-by-case basis for eligibility to register with the General Medical Council to practice medicine in the UK.[23]

References

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  1. ^ "St. Theresa Medical University, St. Kitts, to Open August 27th" (Aug 20, 2005) St. Kitts & Nevis Democrat [permanent dead link‍]
  2. ^ a b c d e Acton, Robin, "Failed medical school spoils students' dreams" Pittsburgh Tribume Review" (January 3, 2010) Archived January 8, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "Caribbean Authorities Probe Medical School Started by US Man" (AP) (Jan 3, 2007) The Jamaica Observer
  4. ^ Acton, Robin "Medical students criticize school in St. Kitts" (Feb 11, 2007) Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Archived 2008-06-09 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ a b Thacker, Paul D., "Examining an island medical school", Inside Higher Ed (January 5, 2007)
  6. ^ "STMU Dual Degree Program". Archived from the original on 7 February 2008.
  7. ^ "STMU Dual Degree Program". Archived from the original on 18 November 2007.
  8. ^ "Health Study FAQ's" ACS Distance Education
  9. ^ OODA Unaccredited Colleges Archived 2012-10-05 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ Kongahage, Ranmali, "Sri Lanka's new medical college fills void", Lanka Business Online (May 9, 2009) Archived May 12, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ Acton, Robin (3 January 2010). "Relatives fear hefty investments lost in failed school". triblive.com. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  12. ^ "Latrobe Man Sentenced to Probation with Home Detention Following Guilty Plea on Tax Charges". US Attorney's Office for Western District of Pennsylvania. 20 November 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  13. ^ "Latrobe Man Sentenced To Probation With Home Detention For Failing To File Taxes". US Attorney's Office for Western District of Pennsylvania. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  14. ^ Acton, Robin. "Latrobe man's medical school in Caribbean is target of probe"( Jan 1, 2007) Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Archived 2008-04-23 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA)
  16. ^ "ECFMG 2009 Information Bulletin". Archived from the original on 13 October 2008. Retrieved 5 November 2008.
  17. ^ University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
  18. ^ Medical Schools Recognized by the Medical Board of California Archived 2009-04-11 at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ Maine Non-Accredited Colleges and Universities
  20. ^ Maine PL 2005, C. 429, §1
  21. ^ Colleges and Universities Accredited by CHEA
  22. ^ Unaccredited Colleges, Oregon Office of Degree Authorization Archived 2012-10-05 at the Wayback Machine
  23. ^ Acceptable Primary Medical Qualification - General Medical Council Archived 2012-09-07 at archive.today
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17°17′43″N 62°45′05″W / 17.2954°N 62.7514°W / 17.2954; -62.7514

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