Ms. Sydney, a cardiology nurse with 21 years of experience, volunteered her service while in Guyana on vacation.

"We are very grateful to Ms. Sydney for volunteering her time with us and I do hope she will come more often and encourage her other colleagues to come and share their knowledge,” said Mr Michael Khan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Georgetown Hospital.

Khan was addressing workshop participants as well as senior hospital personnel at the opening of the exercise yesterday in the Conference Room of the institution.

The gathering learnt that Sydney works with a group of 40 cardiologists in invasive, non-invasive interventions in cardiology and bypass surgery. She also lectures students and residents on conditions relating to the heart.

At least 5,000 patients are treated each year at the Heart Hospital of New Jersey Invasive Cardiovascular Laboratory, which is affiliated to the Saint Barnabas Medical Center and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Sydney explained.

The visiting expert disclosed that while she does a lot of work in the field of cardiology, her greatest passion is Nursing Education.

Speaking to the nurses during the opening ceremony, Ms Sydney said she is honoured to be in Guyana doing volunteer work.

"We are the ones who spend a great deal of time with the patients. We talk to the patients. We have the opportunity to teach them and to assist the physicians in making the proper diagnosis because we are at the frontline."

The expert advised the nurses: "You never stop learning because there are so many new drugs, and new techniques in managing patients."

Ms Sydney is scheduled to depart Guyana for the USA today. She described training as the perfect gift.