Observer – Breaking down gender stereotypes and paving the way for a new generation of male nurses, Antiguan native Julien Kentish has made history by becoming the first male nurse to graduate from the University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands campus.
He was among a diverse group of students from across the Eastern Caribbean, Jamaica, and Belize who graduated last Saturday from various UWI campuses having successfully completed his Bachelor of Science in nursing and earning the highest academic honours with a first-class degree.
Kentish’s accomplishment is particularly significant given the longstanding gender stereotypes surrounding the nursing profession.
Nursing has historically been perceived as a female-dominated field, and Kentish’s achievement is a significant step towards breaking those stereotypes.“It’s very unique for a male in the field. You know the stereotypes surrounding nursing and that it’s a female dominated profession,” he remarked.Kentish said he hopes his achievement will encourage other men to pursue nursing as a career choice.
He emphasised that healthcare, like the military, should not be categorised by gender.
“Nursing has developed from where it was – the science, the art, the academics … It has truly developed and it has also welcomed the male gender into its practice and I’ll encourage every male that’s out there to look at yourself and be unique.
“Don’t feel any different than anyone else who’s joining the profession,” he pointed out.A national youth ambassador, Kentish is not only an advocate for gender equality in healthcare but also a firm believer in the power of combining healthcare with effective management.
Kentish was the lone male nursing graduate from UWI Five Islands[/caption]In pursuit of this vision, he plans to undertake a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), aiming to drive innovation and efficiency within the healthcare industry.“
I have decided to join that because I see myself being able to add to the requisite management and delivery of healthcare services. It’s going beyond the norm,” he shared.Kentish’s journey into healthcare began at a young age when he volunteered for the Red Cross.
At just 12 years old, he was invited to join as a first aider, where he learned the invaluable skills of saving lives.
He stated, “Being a first aider and learning how to save lives I remember being exposed to the field of healthcare.
”This early exposure ignited his passion for healthcare, and he started his career as a nursing assistant.
With an ambition to set a new standard for aspiring nurses, Kentish acknowledged that his family has a background in law and politics, but he was drawn to a different path.
Kentish poses for a photo with Prime Minister Gaston Browne“My family is really built on law and politics and I considered I want to be different; I want to be able to help others through a different medium and I considered healthcare,” he said.
Looking back on his remarkable journey, Kentish expressed his gratitude for the opportunities that came his way and the accompanying lessons he learned.
“I’m feeling rather humbled and amazed as to the journey. It has not been an easy one but I’m grateful for every opportunity that came my way.
I am truly grateful to God for every hurdle that I jumped over and also the lessons that I’ve learnt,” he remarked.
In addition to his academic accomplishments, Kentish has also been recognised as a UWI Student Today Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) Ambassador.
In this role, he serves as a distinguished representative of the UWI Vice-Chancellor, inspiring fellow students to reach their full potential and promoting academic and professional excellence.
He also serves on several boards and is a part of the medical unit of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF).
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LMHO. Is this the next Bramble? This idiot seldom poses for the camera with Pixie, but the abundance of male pictures with him out there is disconcerting.
Good for the male nurse. That’s nothing new to the world,but it’s not everyday you see a leader of a country posing up in this way.
If we cannot speak good, just hush! Ya’ll just damn sickening now! Sad sad sad people!
Watching., only a dunce would make a comment like this. Are you one of the insecure men in Society? Get a life and get an education. Believe and love yourself and stop hating on people who belive and love themselves. You speak about Bramble and then you say the young male nurse has many pictures of himself, tell me, are you admiring men and if so don’t be scared of your feelings. Embrace them, don’t exhibit hate on other men for loving themselves. Watching stop Watching and just come out of the CLOSET!!!!!
Hearty congratulations Nurse Kentish. Bravo bravo! Lovely story.
Congratulations young Kentish, keep on pressing and breaking barriers. You are a respected young man in our society. An example to our youth out there. I have seen how you treat and care for people at the hospital. Keep it up!
@Hate is real, what you’re offended by the truth? We live in those times I guess. Can you dispute anything I said? That’s the problem with this damn country. Idiots like you trying to attack truth.
The guy posted what,8 pictures of Shuggy on his Facebook page. Come on!
As for dunce? Well..what can I say? Gastonite or Labourite? Which are you? Dunceness is an inate disease with you all.
Closet? You’re really delusional.
Washie the Fish taking your place ……Murder. Little Boboy really know how too swim with all them fish.
Well done Julien Kentish. What a great role model for young boys and teenagers.
Well done Julian! I will never forget how you cared for my husband in his final days. Such compassion and real caring.
Brix, don’t you have anything bad to say about this again?
As you can see the vision of the Prime Minister is already bearing fruits big times.
This only happens under the Gaston Browne administration.
Big up the World Boss.
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