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

St. Theresa’s Medical University is a medical school located in Basseterre, St. Kitts. It was opened in August 2005. [ [http://www.pamdemocrat.org/newspaper/Details.cfm?Nz=%247GIJ2%20%20%20%0A&Iz=%23%2A%22LH%0A "St. Theresa Medical University, St. Kitts, to Open August 27th" (Aug 20, 2005) "St. Kitts & Nevis Democrat " ] ] by Chancellor and Executive Dean Thomas M. Uhrin, of Latrobe, PA. Mr. Uhrin, who holds himself out in St. Kitts as a MD, had been terminated in 2004 by the International University of the Health Sciences in St. Kitts for misrepresenting his academic credentials, and previously, in 1999 had resigned from his position as Medical Director of a clinic in Greensburg, PA after admitting that he had not completed medical training and was not licensed as an MD. [ [http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20070102T200000-0500_117383_OBS_CARIBBEAN_AUTHORITIES_PROBE_MEDICAL_SCHOOL_STARTED_BY_US_MAN.asp "Caribbean Authorities Probe Medical School Started by US Man" (AP) (Jan 3, 2007) "The Jamaica Observer"] ]

Although the school was accredited 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, the Ministry of Education’s Accreditation Board commenced an investigation of STMU in light of unspecified complaints about STMU and 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. [ [http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_486515.html Acton, Robin. "Latrobe man's medical school in Caribbean is target of probe"( Jan 1, 2007) "Pittsburgh Tribune-Review"] ]

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 2007, STMU had approximately one dozen students. [ [http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_492706.html Acton, Robin "Medical students criticize school in St. Kitts" (Feb 11, 2007) "Pittsburgh Tribune-Review"] ]

STMU is 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). [ [http://www.stmu.org/dual-degree.html STMU Dual Degree Program] ]

The State of Oregon Office of Degree Authorization lists STMU as unaccredited. [ [http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/unaccredited.aspx Unaccredited Colleges, Oregon Office of Degree Authorization] ]

Accreditations

The school is not accredited by any medical school accreditation association, therefore degree granted by Saint James School of Medicine are not accepted for licensing of physicians in some jurisdictions, and use of such qualifications and titles they confer may be restricted by law.
* The State of Oregon Office of Degree Authorization lists STMU as unaccredited. [ [http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/unaccredited.aspx Unaccredited Colleges, Oregon Office of Degree Authorization] ]
* Arkansas banned St. Theresa's graduates from licensing as " [http://uams.edu/jei/students/policy_benefits.asp disapproved international medical school voted at the June 5/6, 2008] ".

References

External links

* [http://www.stmu.org St. Theresa's Medical University Official Site]