Our Alumni

Through it all, Temi stayed calm, consistent, and caring and showing not only her technical skill, but her compassion.

I took my husband to the ER throwing up blood; three months later, he came home with a new liver and another chance at life. Along the way, he was in a very tenuous situation. The doctors did not talk in day-to-day terms, but hour-to-hour. While nurses throughout his stays in two hospitals and one rehab center -- with most of the time in ICU -- were wonderful, I want to recognize one of his ICU nurses in the pre-transplant unit -- Nurse Temitayo (Temi).

Temi was my husband's night nurse during one of the most harrowing nights of our time in the hospital. After finally being stable enough to complete a required test to clear for transplant listing, he started showing signs of internal bleeding. An endoscopy revealed a second round of bleeding varices, which needed to be banded. However, because of his liver failure, his blood was extremely thin, and after the procedure, her remained intubated with significant bleeding that oozed out of his mouth. Keeping his blood pressure and blood levels as stable as possible and managing the bleeding was an ordeal, as well as his dialysis and regular need for body shifts and other care.

Temi did not stop moving from the moment her shift started. Because his blood was so thin, he began bleeding from the site where they had done a Heart Cath earlier in the week. There were copious amounts of blood that required consistent pressure for more than 20 minutes before it stopped. Through it all, Temi stayed calm, consistent, and caring and showing not only her technical skill, but her compassion. As I slept in the chair on that Valentine's night, not sure my husband would see the next morning, she also found time to care for me, checking in, asking what I needed, providing blankets and water, and a warm smile. While I will remember everything that happened for the rest of my life, what I hope to remember most vividly is the following week when she returned from her days off. When she entered the room and saw my husband more stable, we let her know that he had been listed and already received an offer of a potential liver for transplant, she did a happy dance. Her giant smile and obvious joy for this man, whom she had only known for three days -- and only known as a comatose, intubated patient -- will stay with me forever.

Even better, she was his nurse the night before his transplant, when he was his most alert and oriented, so she got to see a bit of his personality and humor. I am hopeful she knows what an important part she played in getting him to that moment - - and in getting him home to see our young kids grow up. Thank you, Temi, for your care for both of us while my husband was there. I hope you know what a gift you have and that you continue to do remarkable things with it.

Another one receiving her MD degree.

Sarah X Almusbahi has successfully completed her medical degree from the Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina (ELAM) in Havana, Cuba. This prestigious institution is known for training medical professionals from around the world, particularly focusing on serving underserved communities.

Sarah's journey through medical school represents the culmination of years of dedication, hard work, and commitment to the field of medicine. Her graduation in May 2025 marks the beginning of her professional career as a medical doctor, where she will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on healthcare delivery and patient care.

The Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina is recognized for its comprehensive medical education program that emphasizes community health, preventive medicine, and serving populations in need. Sarah's training at this institution has prepared her to be a compassionate and skilled healthcare provider who understands the importance of accessible healthcare for all communities.

As she embarks on her medical career, Sarah joins the ranks of healthcare professionals dedicated to improving health outcomes and providing quality care to patients worldwide. Her achievement serves as an inspiration to future medical students and demonstrates the value of international medical education in creating a diverse and well-rounded healthcare workforce.