The University College of the West Indies (UCWI), affiliated to London University was established in October 1948 , with an enrollment of medical students. A hospital was deemed necessary to support the training of medical and other health care professionals hence in 1949 the foundation stone for the University College Hospital of the West Indies (UCHWI), was laid by the Earl of Athlone, husband of Princess Alice, the first Chancellor of the UCWI. The first Matron, Mrs. Margaret Moodie nee Foster-Smith, was appointed in 1948 to establish the Preliminary Training School (PTS), for nurses and assist with the establishment of the Hospital. Between 1949 and 1952 all medical and nursing students received their clinical experience at the Kingston Public Hospital, (KPH).