SABA MEDICAL SCHOOL SOLD effective April 30, 2007

[Chitownguy]

I heard a rumor that Saba was sold, any truth to it?

[miasma]

this better be one great joke...

[medschool22]

where'd you hear the rumor?

[Bob]

Ah, a few weeks ago the chat was that this school was rumored to have been sold to AUC. AUC does have a new school but it is a D.O. school in Colorado, which you can verify if interested at
http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:0b819LMZI0oJ:www.coloradodo.org/newsletter_0706.pdf+Rocky+Vista+University+College +of+Osteopathic+Medicine+and+****&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us (http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:0b819LMZI0oJ:www.coloradodo.org/newsletter_0706.pdf+Rocky+Vista+University+College +of+Osteopathic+Medicine+and+****&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us)

Congrats to AUC for landing on U.S. soil. Bob

[medschool22]

i believe the son of someone close to the school is opening a DO school, not sure if that really qualifies as a "AUC DO school"

[DOCplucinski]

i bought it

[DRJJ1]

I heard a rumor that Saba was sold, any truth to it?


and the new buyer is harvard medical school right?:bored:

[GFLIP]

I heard a rumor that Saba was sold, any truth to it?
this is definitely a rumor -

[sheikh1]

I heard Saba wants to buy St George...........

[gianefiasco]

there is TONS of rumors going around all the time. BUT this one is persistent, I've even heard it from people who are actually "in the know" .

They are investing tons of money in the school (new buildings etc. ) So If anythign were to happe it would probably just be increased tuition.

[rokshana]

i believe the son of someone close to the school is opening a DO school, not sure if that really qualifies as a "AUC DO school"

if son of the owner of AUC qualifies as someone close to the school, then yes then this would be true

[thedirtychemist]

SUSOM has NOT been sold.

That's the word from admin.

[regnart]

Who in Admin - were you told personally? i.e. can we take this as fact, or is it more hearsay??

[mtbd]

SUSOM has NOT been sold.

That's the word from admin.

Yuh, right! what are you, new? like they gonna tell you the truth!

[teratos]

I have heard the same rumor as well. Through the "grapevine" from a very reliable source. G

[AUCMD2006]

if son of the owner of AUC qualifies as someone close to the school, then yes then this would be true

the son of the owner runs AUC from miami, not sure what his title is..maybe CEO, his dad "da' chancellor" is on the island too busy conting the money to run the school:D

[golfman]

The school has not been sold. I asked the admin at the school. Not sure why they would want to lie about it. It wouldn't matter to us here at the school. Considering there is a new dorm being built and a new classroom building it wouldn't make sense at all to believe this rumor.

[tpw2k]

as long as its not Devry, I'm happy

[DOCplucinski]

as long as its not Devry, I'm happy
i heard ITT tech bought it...

[DRDRWMD]

A few weeks ago, I heard Saba tried to buy AUC. Looks like the fishies are cannibalizing. AUC just had a tuition increase, again. Sounds like they are improving their bottom line. Trump should take over and buy all the schools. We can have rowing contests between AUC and Saba.

[Junito]

That's the same thing the Admin at another school said. No the school is not for sale...Long and behold the administration has changed. Sometimes there is truth to some of these "rumors". I'm not saying that Saba was sold, just making a general comment.

[bhs2a]

O.K. so what would it mean for the students if the school had been sold? Would kind of negative repercussions would we face? or would this more of a positive thing?

[thedirtychemist]

Yuh, right! what are you, new? like they gonna tell you the truth!

Ask them yourself. Unless you have proof otherwise, then take my word. I am an SGA class rep and the answer to this question has been validated by admin.

If you want to keep believing otherwise, knock yourself out.

[bigguy]

Someone in the Gardner office told me that they had no knowledge of SUSOM being sold.

I have heard that the school is perpetually for sale. In reality, what business isn't for sale for the right price? So the school may very well be soliciting buyers. If so, now is the prime time for them to sell the school, because it's unclear what the new agreement with the Holland will be with regard to taxation. In the past, SUSOM has pretty much gotten off tax free, however, that may not be the case in the future.

It'd be unfortunate if there was an administration change. SUSOM is a nice little medical school that puts out good docs at a reasonable price. It'd be a shame to see that disappear.

Bigguy

[33]

Question / statement to all the aspiring DOCTORS ... so what if Saba is sold. What impact is this going to have on your path on becoming a doctor? ... Nothing. I know some of you are thinking, our tution is going to increase. To that I say, tution / costs go up irrespective of sale. Some of you are thinking, our quality of education will change. To that I say, quality is a by product of teachers willing to teach and students willing to learn and has nothing to do with a sale. Some of you are thinking Saba will be less successful in what it does. To this I say, success is a by product of administration. And we all know, administration changes with time, no one person ever heads a company for thousands of years. So, forget about it ... focus instead on the things you can control ... the amount of time you spend studying, the amount of sleep you get before class the next day, completing the loan application in time etc. And for those of you who are consumed by the "sale issue" ... maybe Saba is not for you.

[sheikh1]

Oh rumo....I hate them, by the way Saba was sold to Mua......

[WaterDoctor]

...deleted

[md2be123]

Waterdoc or anyone else for that matter,

Did he say to whom and what repercussions it would have on the students?

What can we expect in the near future?

Thanks!

[miasma]

yeah, what are the details?

[Junito]

Not suprising. I noted that there are some rumors that do turn out to be true. So the school was sold, I don't think there is anything to worry about.

[swwong]

Just be patient, Admin will probably post an official memo. I wouldn't worry about anything - perhaps things will get better!

[rdecastro]

Supposedly, sold to Equinox Capital, Inc. Equinox Capital, Inc. (http://www.equinox-capital.com/index.html)

They're the company that bought Saint Matts after they failed California approval.

They also got MUA, and possibly one other school....

More info: BusinessNorth Exclusives (http://www.businessnorth.com/exclusives.asp?RID=1799)

[Chitownguy]

I love when I'm right.:D In this case I wish I were wrong, when I found out we are linked to St. Matts:shock: I almost threw up and choked (reflex).

[bhs2a]

This is frightening.

[House]

SABA MEDICAL SCHOOL has been sold--- effective April 30, 2007. Equinox Capital has not only purchased SABA medical school, but has also purchased MUA in Nevis and also St. Matthews in Grand Cayman. You can find the news of St. Matthew's "Recapitalization" at the following link Equinox Capital, Inc. - News (http://www.equinoxcapitalinc.com/news.html) . Its a managment company that invests in companies worth 10-50 million dollars. So lets hope this only improves the quality of education at these schools.

[House]

SABA MEDICAL SCHOOL has been sold--- effective April 30, 2007. Equinox Capital has not only purchased SABA medical school, but has also purchased MUA in Nevis and also St. Matthews in Grand Cayman. You can find the news of St. Matthew's "Recapitalization" at the following link Equinox Capital, Inc. - News (http://www.equinoxcapitalinc.com/news.html) . Its a managment company that invests in companies worth 10-50 million dollars. So lets hope this only improves the quality of education at these schools.

[Scott1981]

where is a link stating that mua-nevis and saba were sold?

[rdecastro]

SABA MEDICAL SCHOOL has been sold--- effective April 30, 2007. Equinox Capital has not only purchased SABA medical school, but has also purchased MUA in Nevis and also St. Matthews in Grand Cayman. You can find the news of St. Matthew's "Recapitalization" at the following link Equinox Capital, Inc. - News (http://www.equinoxcapitalinc.com/news.html) . Its a managment company that invests in companies worth 10-50 million dollars. So lets hope this only improves the quality of education at these schools.

As the link clearly states, St. Matthews was sold in Jan, 2006 - so it's not news.

[rdecastro]

This is frightening.

Nothing is changing soon (not enough time to change it). As for the future, it's always liable to change.

It seems that Equinox improved St. Matthews (of course, that was a low hurdle to clear). Lets hope that Saba will be improved, as well.

Lets start a wish list:

Decent internet access speeds on campus, with wireless in the classrooms.
Study rooms for small groups
More room in the library

[thedirtychemist]

I love how he says that and maintains it....yet as of today, april 13....administrator (dean) just came in our classroom and told us Saba has been sold.

You shouldnt talk if you dont know what you are talking about

Look at the date- 04-05-2007, 06:42 PM. That post was made a long while ago before the news was out today. The word WAS straight up from the profs and the clinical coordinator (aka Admin). Read bigguy's response.


If all you have to contribute to this topic is the fact that I stuck with my word based on information disclosed in the past, then your posts are wasted here. I posted an honest reply that was given to me by those who would know to try to provide information to those who were asking. Their info was wrong, but that was past information. Now the school has been sold, there's nothing more to say.

[golfman]

Hey Waterdoctor

Do you go to SUSOM? Gotta love how one of his first three post goes to bash a current student who takes the time to help current prospectives. If you don't go to SUSOM then find somewhere else to go. We don't need your attitude here.

[bhs2a]

I personally appreciate thedirtychemist for going to the administration and asking the questions.

[Canadaguy]

I'm just getting ready to leave or Saba and all kinds of weird things start happening. Saba sold! An MTV show on Saba!

I don't think the sale of Saba is a big deal. If you read the Equinox website it says that they are not usually involved in the day-to-day operations of the businesses in which they invest. To me, this suggests that things probably won't change that much.

From their website:

"While Equinox does not take an active role in managing its portfolio companies day to day, we are actively involved at the board level and have frequent contact with the senior management of our portfolio companies"

I think it is actually a positive sign. This investment company must think that Caribbean schools will continue to be successful and grow for the forseeable future. Otherwise, they wouldn't have invested.

[bigguy]

Hey Waterdoc, lighten up.

As of 1 week ago, the Clinical Coordinator was asked directly if the school had been sold, and she said that she had no knowledge of it. The whole purpose of this forum is to exchange information and opinions. If people only posted actual facts, it wouldn't be a forum, it would be an online memo.

The school being sold stinks. The bottom line is that it was a nice little system that moved along from semester to semester pretty well.

Sure, there could be improvements, new ideas, new capital, a consolidation of resources, perhaps the ability to bargain for larger chunks of clerkship rotations at better hospitals, and perhaps the ability of students to move more freely between the three schools, or do outside electives at one of the other schools.

The dark side would be a consolidation of clinicals, with fewer hospitals to do rotations at, or a clearing of house of the administrative staff that those of us going into Clinicals have built a relationship with. It would also be bad if the school compromised the quality of admissions in favor of accepting students with lower grades who were willing to pay more. The worst case scenario is an exodus of professors from an island that it's hard to attract permanent teaching talent to. It wouldn't take very many professors to leave for a semester to be delayed/cancelled.

That tuition will go up is just a given.

The best news is that the school has been bought by a corporation that has experience running caribbean medical schools, and that they seem to have had some success so far. There also probably is some strength in the fact that the corp. owns two other schools. They could probably shift faculty around if they had to, and if SUSOM got nailed by a hurricane (like SGU did a few years back) it's reasonable to assume they'd make room on another campus.

The reality is whatever the outcome is in the future, bad or good, the uncertainty now among students and faculty can't be anything but detrimental to morale in the present.

Bigguy

[ducman]

I look forward to hearing official announcements on the Saba website.

Please note - that as per the TOS, personal attacks on other users or trolling shall not be tolerated.

[Experienced]

I personally appreciate thedirtychemist for going to the administration and asking the questions.

Second or third that! R, you rule! This is one of SUSOM's best students and an awesome leader that those who know, appreciate greatly. He had the cojones to go ask admin and they told him what they told him. He reported it back to us. Thanks, R**el!

E.

[ol' man]

I love when I'm right.:D In this case I wish I were wrong, when I found out we are linked to St. Matts:shock: I almost threw up and choked (reflex).

I attend St. Matts, and when I found out we were linked to Saba, I almost threw up too. :roll:

Seriously, if that caused you a problem you have a lot of growing up to do. Good luck.

[Experienced]

[quote=ducman;589128]I look forward to hearing official announcements on the Saba website.

That'll come right after they update that SUSOM takes "approx 60 students per semester." :D

E.

[ducman]

If indeed one private equity boutique owns us... then their shall be a natural allocation of reources across investments.

In other words, either spend time declaring your newly diagnosed GERD - or look forward to the availability of more resources for our school in the near future.

Again, personal attacks and trolling shall not be tolerated. This is the second warning... so anyone participating in attacks shall immediately receive a warning.

[ducman]

Touche Experienced... well stated! :cool:

[gianefiasco]

there is TONS of rumors going around all the time. BUT this one is persistent, I've even heard it from people who are actually "in the know" .

They are investing tons of money in the school (new buildings etc. ) So If anythign were to happe it would probably just be increased tuition.

THe rumors proved true.

Non-profit medical school LMAO

[Junito]

You guys are worrying too much. From our experience with Equinox, they are intent on improving the schools. They made many changes with SMU (which have been good). Before people continue with the negative banter...Welcome to the family. SMU, MUA, and Saba, we are in this together for now and there is nothing we can do. In all honesty I think the pooling of all resources between the three schools has the potential to make each better. I'm sure this acquisition will send chills down the spines of some of the owners of other Carib schools.

[WaterDoctor]

...deleted

[Junito]

OK people let's be civil here. Flaming is against the TOS so please refrain from doing so or this thread will be locked. If you receive a PM to edit please comply, failure to do so will lead to warnings.

[stephew]

ok - threats are taken VERY seriously here. this thread is under investigation. Aside from further TOS violations resulting in infractions, if there are threats the proprer authorites will be contacted. If you have a pm about this, you had better take it seriously.

[WaterDoctor]

...deleted

[Junito]

Flaming is posting negative information (many times in the form of insults) for the sole purpose of illiciting a negative response from another user.

[nevisbutterfly]

Where can I find out if Saba and MUA was sold? In my narcissistic world, how does it effect me?

I have graduated and in residency. But, as those that are dealing with the St. Chris thing, I have to ask the question.

[playarf]

according to dr. duckworth, saba just had a corporate structure change...
dr. fredrickis STILL the president...and we were assured that in no way this will affect the students

[GFLIP]

dealing with the St. Chris thing

:offtopic: what's the st chris thing?

[miasma]

this is nothing like what happened to st. chris.

[rdecastro]

:offtopic: what's the st chris thing?

I was investigating St. Chris, and luckily decided to give them a pass

[thedirtychemist]

according to dr. duckworth, saba just had a corporate structure change...
dr. fredrickis STILL the president...and we were assured that in no way this will affect the students

Right. Although the company which bought the school purchased with the sole intention of making a profit, they will not be changing much (if any) of the administrative roles. If the system isn't broken, why fix it right?

Although I do have concerns for the school's future when it comes to it's viability to prospect students.. such as the (expected to rise) low tuition, (slowly growing) small classes, (soon to be more crowded) peaceful and quite island life. All of those were factors to my decision to go to SUSOM. To a lot of applicants, such experiences which were not found on any other carib schools were what made the school more desirable.

In the long run, with an increased number of students and more money put into the system, the students can only benefit (I hope). With more students, there will be more clinical rotation sites, perhaps a better loans, and more importantly - increase of school reputation. However, my main concern about this money/fame driven growth will be the notion of quantity over quality. Will Saba start accepting 120-200 students per semester, but lower their standard of acceptance?

Regardless of what the future holds, this change will be steady and slow. Chances are, my (current 2nd semester) class will probably not feel much of the effect as compared to those coming in 2-3 semesters from now. Remember the psych lecture on "Change"?... this is a prime example.

Well, at least it's more hopeful than our new BUS SERVICE. Hehehe...:wink:

[summerwind]

I contacted Equinox Capital asking them to either corroborate or refute the rumor. Let's see if they respond to my e-mail.

[DRJJ1]

I contacted Equinox Capital asking them to either corroborate or refute the rumor. Let's see if they respond to my e-mail.


lol....its on the web and big deal

[banjul10]

SABA MEDICAL SCHOOL has been sold--- effective April 30, 2007. Equinox Capital has not only purchased SABA medical school, but has also purchased MUA in Nevis and also St. Matthews in Grand Cayman. You can find the news of St. Matthew's "Recapitalization" at the following link Equinox Capital, Inc. - News (http://www.equinoxcapitalinc.com/news.html) . Its a managment company that invests in companies worth 10-50 million dollars. So lets hope this only improves the quality of education at these schools.
HOUSE,
every post you make seems to be rumours. Don't you have anything better to do? 2 years ago you said that Ross University was moving to Nevada. On Equinox site only St. Matthew is mentioned. Stop spreading unconfirmed rumours.

[miasma]

nope, this really IS true. i go to the school, and the admin/profs have confirmed this. they told us straight out. i see it as a positive thing though, as did the school staff.

[sheikh1]

I am getting confused, what is going on.....

[miasma]

nothing to be confused about. we were told DIRECTLY by the school that the school (and mua nevis) was sold to Equinox, who also invested in st. matthew's. Dr. F is still the president however, but now we have a company that has invested in the school. that's it.

[freerider979]

There is already a thread discussing this topic, "Saba sold" , so for those who can't get enough of themselves and their pointless thoughts, go there.

Shelfs/exams are next week, focusing on them will actually give you (and your patients) a better future. More time studying and less time emailing "Equinox" will serve you better since they really care what you all have to say. Let the admin do thier job, that's what they get paid for. I'm sure if the school ever shuts down or moves to Cuba, you guys will be the first to know.

This thread is just as pointless as "will I get in with these stats" or "how many desi/asians go to Saba".

This site is informative only b/c of the few people who make honest/useful contributions (for that I thank you). The rest of you who makes 5-10 postings per day, have no idea what you're talking about and CANNOT spell/write, get a life.

Have nice day.

[gianefiasco]

There is already a thread discussing this topic, "Saba sold" , so for those who can't get enough of themselves and their pointless thoughts, go there.

Shelfs/exams are next week, focusing on them will actually give you (and your patients) a better future. More time studying and less time emailing "Equinox" will serve you better since they really care what you all have to say. Let the admin do thier job, that's what they get paid for. I'm sure if the school ever shuts down or moves to Cuba, you guys will be the first to know.

This thread is just as pointless as "will I get in with these stats" or "how many desi/asians go to Saba".

This site is informative only b/c of the few people who make honest/useful contributions (for that I thank you). The rest of you who makes 5-10 postings per day, have no idea what you're talking about and CANNOT spell/write, get a life.

Have nice day.

*5 stars* to you sir/madam.
LOL

[amj0327]

So SABA is now a part of SMU, right?

[DOCplucinski]

geez how many of these SABA sold threads are there?

[gianefiasco]

geez how many of these SABA sold threads are there?

GOing once, going twice, going THRICE!!!!

[yashar1981]

Also for sale, dorm rooms number 19 and 21, they can come together or separate, the rooms include 2 king size beds, along with two super luxury study desks equipped with IBM P3. Also the rooms come with Plasma screen TV's and surround sound and dvd player. from what I've heard this company is going to put a new heated pool in Mathews Dorm alongside hot tub for those winter nights.. feel free to ask me about the details, as I would LOVE to answer any questions that you EAGER medical doctors of future have about SABA.

Ps. i am also sellin one pair of my socks, massage me back about the color, design and the special powers that it has given me during my time on Saba

[rokshana]

So SABA is now a part of SMU, right?

while i doubt this is correct- it is an interesting concept- since the 3 schools are now owned by one company, could they not conceivably consolidate the schools and create say a school with 3 campuses? Guess it could be St Matthews SOM - Saba campus (and voila!! a name change to st. something!!) all under the saba charter and all the schools get cali!

[rdecastro]

while i doubt this is correct- it is an interesting concept- since the 3 schools are now owned by one company, could they not conceivably consolidate the schools and create say a school with 3 campuses? Guess it could be St Matthews SOM - Saba campus (and voila!! a name change to st. something!!) all under the saba charter and all the schools get cali!

Probably not. California distinguishes different programs at schools in Poland, for example - only the English language program is approved at one school who's name escapes me right now.

[DRJJ1]

while i doubt this is correct- it is an interesting concept- since the 3 schools are now owned by one company, could they not conceivably consolidate the schools and create say a school with 3 campuses? Guess it could be St Matthews SOM - Saba campus (and voila!! a name change to st. something!!) all under the saba charter and all the schools get cali!

1 owner of 3 schools I would think that they would keep
each working independ like it is and profit accoordingly why change
what works now...maybe in 10 yrs they would combine the 3 into 1 island
but right now keep it humming the way it is and build them up indep from ea other..its a business no matter what but the way its working now they should keep it the way it is.

[StodeMD]

Fact 1. The link way below says the company "recapitiilized" it. That is not equal to buying it, or owning it.

Fact2. The link says ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about SABA or MUA being "purchased" or recapitolized.

Fact3. I've read posts where posters said they were directly told something by a school admin, and it actually didn't ever happen...IMAGINE THAT...PEOPLE MISUNDERSTAND, DON'T HEAR CORRECTLY, OR OUTRIGHT DISTORT.

[gianefiasco]

Fact 1. The link way below says the company "recapitiilized" it. That is not equal to buying it, or owning it.

Fact2. The link says ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about SABA or MUA being "purchased" or recapitolized.

Fact3. I've read posts where posters said they were directly told something by a school admin, and it actually didn't ever happen...IMAGINE THAT...PEOPLE MISUNDERSTAND, DON'T HEAR CORRECTLY, OR OUTRIGHT DISTORT.

Dean of saba came into my 3rd semester classroom and told us "school has been sold". Doesn't get more "factual" then that.

[regnart]

Gianefiasco, did he say any changes were coming down the pike?

[myusatonyatlas]

any confirmation of sale as of yet?

[myusatonyatlas]

anything seen on paper:roll:

[StodeMD]

Dean of saba came into my 3rd semester classroom and told us "school has been sold". Doesn't get more "factual" then that.


Well, my gut sense is that it will be a good thing.

All The Best.

[banjul10]

Hi Everyone. It's official now. Go to equinox capital website. Equinox Capital, Inc. (http://www.equinox-capital.com) .Saba and Mua is now listed as at 4/4/07. It is not an outright sale. Dr....F still remains owner.

[banjul10]

Yes now confirmed. Check Equinox Capital, Inc. (http://www.equinox-capital.com) . Saba and Mua are listed as recapitalization ,not outright sale. Good or Bad i don't know.

[rdecastro]

Yes now confirmed. Check Equinox Capital, Inc. (http://www.equinox-capital.com) . Saba and Mua are listed as recapitalization ,not outright sale. Good or Bad i don't know.

What do you think recapitalization is? Someone just comes in and gives a business more money, and gets nothing in return? They can call it recapitalization, what it really is is a transfer of money for equity shares - in other words, a sale.

[miasma]

hopefully this results in more positives than negatives.

[gianefiasco]

Gianefiasco, did he say any changes were coming down the pike?

HE said no changes affecting students adversly, He said, all it means is more investment in the school. No administration or faculty changes.

[Junito]

Our experience at SMU is that there were changes in the administration (one year after the "recapitalization"). The new chancellor at SMU is great. Mostly positive changes have been seen. Don't worry about the things you don't have any control over, and just study hard so that you finish on time! Good luck and hopefully this can calm some of your worries.

[regnart]

Gianefiasco thanks for elaborating.

[ducman]

Tagging as sticky as news of recapitalization is official.

[warmfront]

Someone please post the number of shares that equinox owns, the number of shares that Saba owns, and the total number of shares outstanding. There is a lot more to it that can be determined by looking at the financial statements. However, this information will give everyone an idea of the power of each party. The main question is with regard to how equinox operates. Is their intention to act solely as a financier and let the school best determine how to increase value, to build up the school to increase profits, or to decrease the school's burn rate (cuts) to increase profits? Do they like to consolidate their holdings? Do they hold short-term or long-term?

[wolfvgang22]

So how can I invest in Equinox, lol. :)