A 27-year-old mother, cancer survivor, nurse and now medical student is “honoured” to be awarded an annual $5,000 scholarship in memory of a top eye doctor on the island.

Dymond DeSilva, a Bermudian honour’s list student at St George’s University in Grenada, said “the weight on my shoulders became lighter” when she was told she had been given the medical grant commemorating Leonard Teye-Botchway, a Ghanaian-born eye surgeon and former Olympic runner who died in 2019.

The scholarship from the Bermuda International Institute of Ophthalmology also left Ms DeSilva “extremely relieved”.

“The financial burden of medical school has always been a concern for my family and me,” she said.

“The fact of the matter is that I can have all the passion and knowledge in the world and be as bright as Einstein, but I certainly will not be able to pursue my dream if I am unable to receive funding to pay for higher education. Without scholarships, it will simply be impossible.”

Ms DeSilva, 27, earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 2019 from Ryerson University, now known as Toronto Metropolitan University.

She fell ill in her senior year of nursing school, underwent surgery and ended up spending most of her school year juggling assignments, clinical placements and medical appointments.

Her nursing career in March of 2020 also coincided with the outbreak of the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic.

Ms DeSilva, from St David’s, told The Royal Gazette: “I worked at the bedside for two years prior to transitioning to an inpatient diabetes nurse position in 2022.

“The responsibility that came with this position, along with having my toddler, reignited the spark that was dormant within me and motivated me to do what I knew I was always destined to do.”

Ms DeSilva began an intensive one-year post-baccalaureate programme at St George’s University in January as one of only 12 international students selected.

Her studies earned her a place on the chancellor’s honours list for spring 2023, with Glen Jacobs, the provost, commending her “outstanding” 4.0 grade point average earned during the first term.

He added: “I applaud your dedication and commitment to your education.

“We understand and appreciate the personal and financial sacrifices that you have made in order to succeed academically.

“Students like you reflect the academic integrity and success we strive for at SGU. You are a credit to yourself, St George’s University and those who support you in your endeavours.”

Next comes the four-year Doctor of Medicine programme, which Ms DeSilva is on track to complete by 2028.

She said: “So far, I have thoroughly enjoyed my learning experience. I am truly in my element and feel as though I am living in my purpose.

“Although it takes an enormous amount of hard work, dedication and discipline, I feel extremely blessed to have my 21-month-old toddler living with me in Grenada while I tackle my academics.”

She said of her honours at SGU: “I set the bar high for myself and I am ready to put it the work that it takes to maintain it at the established level.”

Although her nursing experience left her with an interest in internal medicine, Ms DeSilva said: “My end goal is to return to Bermuda as a dermatologist, open up a family-run practice and serve my community in the best way that I know how to.”