Recap of the First Month of the 2026 UDH Health Coach Program
The 2026 session of the UDH Health Coach program is officially underway! Every year, we look forward to welcoming a new group of dedicated students, and this year is no exception. Throughout February, our cohort gathered online via Zoom for four weeks of intensive learning and professional development.
Under the expert guidance of Dr. Marie Louise Jean-Baptiste, Dr. Jessie Brutus, and Mr. Simeon, the classes have been engaging and educational.
Here is a summary of our activities for the first month of 2026.
Week 1: Welcome and Orientation (February 1, 2026)
We began the 2026 program with a warm welcome from our leadership team, Dr. Jean-Baptiste and Dr. Brutus. The session was moderated by Christian Massillon, who helped set a professional tone for the year ahead.
The first class covered four essential topics to prepare students for success:
Navigating the Online Class: Presented by Gammaliel.
The Multidisciplinary Approach: Presented by Gina.
Professionalism in Zoom Meetings: Presented by Ramiya.
A Personal Testimony: Shared by Alain to inspire the new group.
Week 2: Professional Standards (February 8, 2026)
For our second week, moderation was handled by Gammaliel F. Mercure. With support from Dr. Jean-Baptiste and Dr. Brutus, presenters Ramiya and Alain led the discussion.
The topic was “Professionalism in Clinical Practice in the U.S.” This was a very interactive presentation. Rather than just listening, all students participated actively. They analyzed real-world scenarios and shared valuable insights on maintaining high professional standards in the American healthcare system.
Week 3: Clinical Skills (February 15, 2026)
With Gammaliel F. Mercure returning as moderator, the class focused on a core clinical skill: History Taking in Clinical Practice. With support from Dr. Jean-Baptiste and Dr. Brutus, presenters Alain and Ramiya led the discussion.
This session broke down three critical areas:
What history taking is.
Why it matters for patient care.
How to do it effectively.
Like the previous week, this presentation was highly interactive, ensuring that students not only understood the theory but also how to apply it practically.
Week 4: Advanced Communication (February 22, 2026)
We concluded the month with a session on Motivational Interviewing, supported by Dr. Jean-Baptiste and Dr. Brutus. This can be a challenging subject to master, but our presenters Gina Massillon (Secretary of the UDH Health Coach Program) and Ramiya R. Kaipuzha did an excellent job.
They succeeded in making a difficult topic “palatable” and easy to understand. It was an interesting and informative presentation that gave our cohort crucial tools for encouraging positive change in their future patients.
Assessment and Participation
To ensure everyone mastered the material, online assessments were conducted on Google Classroom right after the presentations. We are happy to report that all students participated with great enthusiasm, showing a true dedication to their learning.
Moving Forward
The first month of the 2026 program has set a high standard. We are proud of our students’ participation and the consistent support from our mentors.
Thank you to everyone who made February a success. We look forward to a productive year of learning ahead!
