Dr Barry Wint Memorial Scholarship helped Yanique Jackson reach final year of medical school

Yanique Jackson, who received the Dr Barry Wint Memorial Scholarship last year, says the award has helped her remain in medical school and advance to her final year. She returned for the scholarship's second award ceremony, where 151 new recipients were recognised, and reflected on what the support has meant for her studies.

Back at the same event where she was honoured a year ago, Jackson said the moment left her overwhelmed and deeply thankful. She said financing tuition had been a major hurdle and that she came close to tears while speaking about it. According to Jackson, she had been working full-time while trying to pay her fees, and the Ministry of Health's assistance gave her a chance to continue.

Jackson said she is now in her final year studying medicine and is completing her clinical rotation at Mapen Hospital. She was also featured at the ceremony as she gave a testimonial representing the first-year cohort.

She said her decision to pursue medicine grew out of her nephew's illness. Jackson explained that he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2017 and spent time at the UI hospital during what she described as a difficult period for him and the family. She said the doctors, nurses and the wider hospital team supported him through his final days. Before he died, she recalled, he told her, "Auntie Kim, you're going to be the best doctor ever." Jackson said those words became the force that kept her moving on her journey.