THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE FROM DR. KAREN PHILLIPS
SLEEPING PATTERNS IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE DR. RACQUEL LOWE-JONES
SLEEP HYGIENE BY DR. TANEISHA K MCGHIE-PHILLIPS
MEET THE MEMBERS THE EXECUTIVE, PAST & NEW MEMBERS OF THE ACPJ
21ST ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE PUBLCATION.
SEP 2023
ABOUT The ACPJ is a charitable organization whose main mandates are to promote medical education to physicians and the wider community, as well as improve the standards of healthcare in Jamaica. This year we are committed to investing in improving the standards of medical education at the University of the West Indies (UWI), through donations to the Faculty’s Computer and Simulation laboratory. This laboratory will allow us to offer up-to-date teaching methodologies that will keep us on the cutting edge. Additionally students with financial challenges will be able to have ready access to these teaching adjuncts that will help them realize their dreams.
A C P J
P U B L I C A T I O N
2023
The Association, founded in 1972, is a charitable organization that is established for:
The advancement of medical knowledge among physicians. The improvement of health care within Jamaica. The maintenance of proper standards of Medical and Ethical Practice The promotion of Continuing Medical Education. The encouragement and promotion of basic and clinical research.
My congratulations to the Association of Consultant Physicians of Jamaica (ACPJ) on this your 21st anniversary symposium. Twenty-one years is a long time to be engaged in any effort and is a clear indication of the commitment of the ACPJ to an event that brings value to the medical profession and the people who are served by the profession. The symposium, to the ACPJ’s credit, provides insights into current best practice in the field and, in so doing, supports the delivery of care to the people of Jamaica. I am especially intrigued by this year’s theme, “Sleep, Health and Well-being”, which focuses our attention on a contributor to health and wellness that is often overlooked: sleep. As we endeavour to safeguard our individual and collective health and well-being, it is necessary that we give attention to the range of things that operate as enablers, sleep being one of them. I therefore look forward to the outcomes from this year’s symposium and its varied offerings – from a look at ‘Sleep Physiology & Sleep Disorder Phenotypes and the impact on Mental Health’ to ‘Sleep and Cardiovascular Health’ as well as ‘Sleep, Exercise and Mental Health’, among others. Once again, my congratulations to the ACPJ on its 21st anniversary of hosting this event. I wish you an insightful, productive symposium.
Dr. the Hon Christopher Tufton, MP Minister of Health and Wellness
A PUBLICATION OF THE ASSOCIATION OF CONSULTANT PHYSICIANS OF JAMAICA.
Association of Consult Physicians Vol. 1 Issue 1 September 2023 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michelle Gordon - imaginitservices@gmail.com CONTRIBUTORS Dr. Karen Phillips Dr. Desiree Tulloch-Reid Dr. Racquel Lowe-Jones Dr. Taneisha McGhie-Phillips Michelle Gordon
PRODUCTION TEAM: Beverley Malcolm Montague Tashna Samuels Norma Williams Joewaine Campbell ImaginIT Consultancy Services
Address: c/o Department of Medicine University Hospital of the West Indies Website: www.acpj.org Email: acpj-secretariat@outlook.com
Published by ImaginIT Services. All Rights Reserved
CONTENTS 5 MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER OF HEALTH & WELLNESS
10 ACPJ PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
12 THE PATH TO SLEEP, HEALTH & WELLNESS
19
ACPJ EXECUTIVE
23
ACPJ PAST PRESIDENTS
42 STRONGER TOGETHER
44 ACPJ DM GRADUATES
53 SLEEPING PATTERNS IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
55
YOU’VE HAD A STROKE, NOW WHAT?
59
ACPJ PAST MOMENTS
The President’s Message Dr. Karen Phillips
This year marks the 21st anniversary of
Our inaugural electronic magazine
the Association of Consultant Physicians
will tell you more about our
of Jamaica’s (ACPJ) Annual Symposium
Association, who we are, our activities
and Banquet/Cocktail Event and we are
over the years and where we are now.
excited to be doing things a little
It will feature our past presidents,
differently.
executive members, and our new graduates. Thanks to all the sponsors
The ACPJ is a charitable organization
who have helped to make this happen.
established mainly for the advancement of medical knowledge among physicians with the aim of improving healthcare in Jamaica. We launch off our anniversary events this weekend with a cocktail reception, ‘Melodies and Masterpieces,’ which promises to be an elaborate expose of music, art, and fashion with part proceeds towards the Computer and Simulation Laboratory at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Medical School. We see this as a very worthy initiative and are committed to help making this happen.
Our hybrid Symposium will focus on a topic which is always an elephant in the Doctor’s Office but is rarely explored. Our lives have become more challenging in recent times with worldwide social upheaval from all perspectives. COVID-19 in particular has contributed directly and indirectly to problems with sleep and so we thought it timely to curate a forum on Sleep. We have been lucky to confirm expert speakers in the field to share with us on this topic and we are sure that everyone will benefit from both a personal and professional level.
We are particularly happy to have Professor Girardin Jean-Louis, Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology at the University of Miami, deliver our Wilbert Jeffrey-Smith Wilson Memorial Lecture on Sleep and Circadian Health Equity to improve Cardiovascular and Mental Health. It promises to be epic. We look forward to your participation and remain grateful.
The path to sleep, health & wellness W
hile today’s world celebrates productivity and busyness, the 21st annual symposium of Association of Consultant Physicians of Jamaica shines light on a foundational yet often overlooked aspect of human well-being: sleep. This year’s symposium delves deep into the intricate relationship between sleep, health, and overall wellness, unveiling a tapestry of connections that underscore the vital role quality sleep plays in our lives. Held against the backdrop of advancing medical research, the event serves as a platform to further understand slumber and its profound impact on our physical and mental well-being. The symposium illuminates the profound connections between sleep, health, and wellness, showcasing the integral role sleep plays in our lives. As medical research advances and the importance of restorative sleep gains recognition, a paradigm shift toward prioritizing sleep is imminent. By acknowledging sleep as a pillar of wellbeing, the medical community takes a collective step toward fostering healthier, more resilient lives. The symposium's insights serve as a reminder that in the pursuit of vitality, quality sleep is not just a luxury – it's a necessity.
Sleep Hygiene Growing public health concern over poor sleep has placed a demand for effective sleep promotion, strategies and sleep hygiene education, is often cited as the answer to this need. Sleep hygiene (SH), (Hauri, 1977). refers to a set of recommendations that are believed to promote improved quantity and quality of sleep.
These rules target lifestyle and environmental factors that can influence sleep enabling us to make our environment more sleep-friendly and put our body in the ideal state for sleep before bed. The original list provided by Hauri were for patients with insomnia. Some of these rules were derived from scientific studies regarding the effects of caffeine or alcohol on sleep and others were the result of Hauri’s clinical observations of patients with poor sleep. Data from “normal sleepers” clearly demonstrates that sleep quality and quantity are adversely affected when certain sleep behaviours are followed. However, for some patients with insomnia, the empiric evidence for the success of SH as a stand-alone treatment approach is very limited (Morin, 1999). Sleep hygiene recommendations have evolved over time with increased understanding of the varied behavioural factors that improve or worsen sleep and each rule is supported by plausible physiological and psychosocial mechanisms. A review of the role of SH in promoting public health found that although each recommendation is theoretically sound, individual SH recommendations regarding specific factors such as caffeine use, alcohol use, exercise and stress lack empirical support for generalization. (Irish, 2015) For example the impact of caffeine on sleep quality will vary as the peak plasma levels are influenced by individual differences in sensitivity, metabolism, and accumulation (Morin, 1999). In conclusion, SH education has the potential to address the growing concern of sleep complaints in the general population and can be used as general guidance. A good start to a good night’s sleep might be “the big seven” which have been most consistently included in the evolving list of SH rules.
Dr Taneisha K McGhie-Phillips Cornwall Regional Hospital Associate Lecturer, Department of Medicine University of the West Indies, Mona 876 952 5100 (O), 876 822 5372 (C)
"SLEEP
is the single most
effective thing we can do to reset our brain and body health each day"
ONYI ANYADO
EXECUTIVE KAREN PHILLIPS - PRESIDENT DAVLYN DEWAR - 1ST VP RACQUEL LOWE JONES - 2ND VP ROHAN WILKS -TREASURER RACQUEL GORDON - ASST TREASURER PATRICE FRANCIS - EMMANUEL - ASSISTANT SECRETARY DR. MIKE MILLS - PAST PRESIDENT TANESHA DAVIS - SECRETARY NATALYA ROSE-SCARLETT - SOUTHERN REP VINCENT RILEY - NORTHERN REP TANEISHA MCGHIE - WESTERN REP BEVERLEY MALCOLM MONTAGUE - SECRETARIAT
DR. KAREN PHILLIPS Dr Karen Phillips is a Consultant Physician and former HOD (Medicine) at KPH. She is also an Associate Lecturer at the UWI. She holds a DM in Internal Medicine (UWI), MSc in Diabetes and Endocrinology (Queen Mary University of London),
MSc in
Obesity and Weight Management from the University of South Wales, and
MRCP UK in Diabetes & Endocrinology. She is a
Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh. She
is
Cofounder
and
Medical
Director
at
REVAMP
Rehabilitation Center ‘ Revamp Training Institute, as well as CoDirector at Meridian Medical Specialists. Dr Phillips is the current President of the Association of Consultant Physicians of Jamaica (ACPJ), has served on the executive of the Medical Council of Jamaica, the Medical Association of Jamaica, and is currently a member of the Specialty Board of Internal Medicine (UWI).
DR. MIKE MILLS Mike Mills is a graduate of the Doctor of Medicine, Internal Medicine, programme at The University of the West Indies, Mona. He completed his subspecialty training in Gastroenterology in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is an Associate lecturer in the Department of Medicine, University of the West Indies and in private practice. He
is
a
member
of
the
Association
of
West
Indian
Gastroenterologists, the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, a Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology, and a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (Edin). He is the Vice President of the Medical Association of Jamaica, Governor of the West Indies Chapter of the American College of Gastroenterology and a past President of the Association of Consultant Physicians of Jamaica. He has published in peer reviewed journals and presented at numerous seminars on various topics in gastroenterology. He has participated in numerous public awareness events and media activities covering digestive diseases often with an emphasis on colon cancer screening and liver related diseases.
Mike Mills Gastroenterologist www.phoenixgastro.com
DAVLYN DEWAR 1ST VP Dr Davlyn Dewar is an Internal Medicine Specialist and an International Society of Nephrology (ISN) Scholar. She is the Deputy Head of the Internal Medicine Dept. at the Kingston Public Hospital and is also an Associate lecturer at the University of the West Indies. She enjoys doing research especially in kidney disease and was a contributor to the ISN Global Kidney Health Atlas published in 2019. Dr. Dewar joined the Executive of the ACPJ in 2014 and served several terms as their Secretary. In 2021, she was elected as the 1st Vice President. She is also the chairperson of the Outreach committee at her church and is involved in several Outreach activities.
DR. RACQUEL LOWE-JONES Dr. Racquel Lowe-Jones is a Consultant Nephrologist who graduated from the University of the West Indies with her MBBS and DM in Internal Medicine. Concerned about the state of patients with kidney disease in Jamaica, she completed a clinical fellowship in Nephrology and Transplantation at St. George’s University Hospital NHS in London, England. Training was supported by the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and Kidney Research UK grant. On her return, she held the post of Consultant Nephrologist for the Southern Regional Health Authority until 2022, whereafter involving herself promoting kidney disease awareness throughout Jamaica and the Caribbean through
educational
talks
and
kidney
related
research
with
international collaborators. Dr. Lowe-Jones is an active member of multiple professional societies including the ISN North American & Caribbean Regional Board, the Hypertension Guideline Working Group in updating the Ministry of Health & Wellness Hypertension guidelines for Jamaica, the Lupus Foundation of Jamaica and the International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis. Her areas of interest are heart failure in chronic kidney disease, precision medicine in kidney disease, and the promotion of patient engagement in kidney focused research and education. She enjoys travel and cultural immersion excursions.
DR. TANEISHA MCGHIE WESTERN REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE
Dr. Taneisha K. McGhie is a Consultant Physician and Rheumatologist at the Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) in Montego Bay, Jamaica and Associate Lecturer in the Department of Medicine at the University of the West Indies, Mona. She is a graduate of the University of the West Indies, Mona where she completed her Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MB BS) in 2003 and subsequently her Doctor of Medicine (DM) in Internal Medicine in 2012. Through the G. Raymond Chang Caribbean Fellowship Award, she completed her fellowship training in rheumatology in 2017 at the University of Toronto. Upon return to Jamaica, she established a weekly rheumatology clinic and in-patient consultation service at CRH, provides specialist care to the population of Jamaica’s western parishes. She has a special interest in lupus and rheumatic diseases in pregnancy and has published in peer reviewed journals, authored a text book chapter and presented at international conferences in these areas. She is a member of the OMERACT (Outcome Measures in Rheumatology) Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE) Working Group and is a participant in the Systemic Lupus
International
Collaborating
Clinics-American
College of Rheumatology-Lupus foundation of America (SLICC-ACR-LFA) collaboration SLICC Damage Index Renewal Project. Dr. McGhie gives back to the community through the founding and convening of the Lupus Support GroupWestern Jamaica which extends the reach of the Lupus Foundation of Jamaica.
ROHAN WILKS TREASURER Rohan’s medical qualifications include Bachelors Basic Medical Sciences in 2003 from The University of the West Indies, Bachelors in Medicine, Bachelors in Surgery (M.B.,B.S.) in 2006 from The University of the West Indies and Doctor of Medicine (Internal Medicine) 2013 also from
the
University
of
the
West
Indies,
Mona.
Additionally he has completed a Fellowship in Clinical Cardiology at the University of Toronto in 2016. Rohan currently works as a Consultant Physician in Cardiology at the Kingston Public Hospital, Consultant Cardiologist at Winchester Cardiology Services and Consultant Cardiologist at The Heart Foundation of Jamaica. He is an Associate Lecturer in the Department of Medicine at the University of the West Indies and an executive member of the Association of Consultant Physicians of Jamaica.
PARTICE FRANCIS-EMMANUEL ASSISTANT SECRETARY Patrice Francis-Emmanuel, DM, FACP Internist and Endocrinologist - UHWI, Jamaica Associate lecturer- UWI, Mona
Patrice Francis Emmanuel is an internist and endocrinologist at the UHWI. She lectures undergraduate and postgraduate students at the University of the West Indies, Mona and coordinates the DM internal medicine program. She is a member of several professional bodies, served on the executive board of the Caribbean Endocrine Society and is the current assistant secretary of the ACPJ. Dr Francis Emmanuel is dedicated to the ACPJ and its mission and continues to work alongside its executive members to progress the association's agenda.
DR. RACQUEL GORDON-ADLAM MBBS, DM ASSISTANT TREASURER Consultant Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Racquel Gordon-Adlam attended The Queen's School. She received her Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery in 2008 at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica. It was always her desire to be in a position to help the sick and being a Christian she has always felt that ministry through helping was her way of witnessing to others. Her father died when she was 2 years old from complications of open heart surgery and there was this never ending drive for her to be a physician so she could help persons that were in need. Dr Gordon-Adlam went on to pursue postgraduate studies in Internal Medicine for the next four years and completed same in June 2014. Those four years she would describe as the most important years of her medical career in which her skills and clinical acumen were developed through hard work and dedication. She was actively involved in the Jamaica medical doctors association as the outreach co-ordinator and assistant secretary between 2009 and 2011. She was secretary of the medical resident body between 2011 and 2012 and President 2012 to 2014.
This is a procedure that uses ultrasound waves to destroy calcium that would otherwise be impossible by the usual techniques. This is done so as open open a blocked vessel of the heart that is heavily calcified in an effort to restore blood supply to the muscle of the heart that is being supplied by that vessel.
Her training in internal medicine heightened her interest in cardiology. She practiced as an internist in the Cayman Islands
She is a member of the following Societies:
after completing residency for a short time at the Cayman Islands Health Services authority from which she left and went
Caribbean Cardiac Society
on to pursue a fellowship in Adult Cardiology at the University
Association of consultant Physicians of Jamaica
of Toronto which she recently completed in 2016.
American College of Physicians American College of Cardiology
Being back in Jamaica she saw the need for more interventional
Association of Black Cardiology
cardiologist as the burden of coronary artery disease was great.
Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and
Interventional cardiology was always of great interest to her
Intervention
and so she returned to Canada in 2018 to pursue a fellowship in
Canadian Cardiovascular Society
Interventional Cardiology, which she successfully completed in
Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology
June 2019 to become Jamaica’s first female Interventional cardiologist.
She is currently employed as a Consultant Cardiologist at the University Hospital of the West Indies and is an
During the last year of her time in Toronto she was able to
associate lecturer in the department of medicine at the
participate in the first ever intracoronary lithotripsy done in
University of the West Indies.
North America.
DR. NATALYA ROSE-SCARLETT "Dr. Natalya Rose-Scarlett earned her MBBS degree (with Honours) in 2014 and later achieved her DM in Internal Medicine degree in 2020. During her final year of the Internal Medicine program and as a post DM graduand, she served as one of the Internal Medicine Chief Residents. Dr. Rose-Scarlett garnered recognition from the Department of Internal Medicine for her research project entitled "Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Heart Failure at the University Hospital of the West Indies" and was awarded "Best Research project" for the 20202021 period. Following the completion of her DM in Internal Medicine, Dr. Rose-Scarlett held the position of Post-DM Internist at the UHWI for 2 years before assuming the role of Consultant in Internal Medicine at the Mandeville Regional Hospital and Hargreaves Memorial Hospital in 2022. In addition to her primary roles, she also works on a part-time basis at the Mandeville Heart Centre. Dr. Rose-Scarlett's involvement has extended to the Southern Regional Health Authority where she served on the SRHA Monkeypox Task Force in 2022 and also assumed the role of ACPJ's SRHA representative in that same year till present. With a distinct inclination towards Cardiovascular Diseases, Dr. Rose-Scarlett aims to delve deeper into the realm of Cardiology, displaying a fervent dedication to advancing her expertise in this field."
BEVERLEY MALCOLM Secretariat Mrs. Beverley Malcolm Montague is a graduate of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, with a Bachelor of Science (Hon) degree in Public Sector Management and a Masters
in
Educational
Administration.
She
is
an
Administrator who has held various positions in the private Sector before coming to work at the UWI, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Medicine. She is currently retired from the Department of Medicine and Assist the ACPJ Secretariat in the capacity as administrator. She also serves on the Church committee of the Church of the Transfiguration and is the Immediate Past President of the Jose Marti Technical High School, past student association and School board member. Mrs. Malcolm Montague is a Justice of the Peace for the parish of St. Andrew.
DR VINCENT RILEY
DCR, MBBS, DM, FACP Northeast Representative Dr
Vincent
Riley
is
a
consultant
Cardiologist/Physician; he is the medical director of ‘The Heart and Wellness Centre. Dr, Riley was the former head department of medicine at the St Ann’s Bay regional Hospital and an Associate Lecturer in the Department of medicine, University of the West Indies Mona. He completed
a
fellowship
in
adult
cardiology at the University of Toronto. He also holds a fellowship in Cardiac Rehabilitation and Stress Cardiac imaging from the University of Toronto. He is a fellow of the American College of Physician, a member of the American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association Society.
and
Caribbean
Cardiac
PAST PRESIDENTS
DON CHRISTIAN JOHN HALL OWEN MORGAN EDWARD CHUNG RAINFORD WILKS AMZA ALI HAFEEZUL MOHAMMED ROSEMARIE WRIGHT-PASCOE-WILLIAMS ALTHEA AQUART-STEWART LILIETH JOHNSON-WHITTAKER MICHAEL BOYNE MIKE MILLS – IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
P A S T
P R E S I D E N T
DONALD CHRISTIAN Don, as he was known to many, was a pioneer in medicine and cardiology in the Caribbean. He left a rich legacy as mentor, teacher, physician, family man, businessman, philanthropist, freemason and leader. He was a paragon of wit, wisdom and eloquence and his passing closes the final chapter in the life of an icon. He was born in New York to Sydney Theophilus and Nora Eileen Christian. His father, an attorney, wanted the young Don to study law but Don Christian always had the ambition to be a doctor. He was influenced by a family physician in Antigua Dr. Luther Wynter. Don’s childhood was spent in Antigua and he excelled in school and at sports. He sat the Senior Cambridge Examinations and matriculated with distinctions in Mathematics, French, Latin and Chemistry. He was one of the select few to be admitted to the inaugural class to study medicine at the new University College of the West Indies (UCWI) in Mona, Kingston, Jamaica. There were eight hundred (800) applications for the thirty (30) places available. UCWI eventually accepted thirty-three (33) students to begin classes in October 1948. He arrived in Jamaica on September 28, 1948, at age eighteen (18) and disembarked the BWIA flight confidently bearing a tennis racket in one hand and a briefcase in the other.
The Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme was successfully completed in November 1954. Don Christian, reflecting on the early years at the University wrote “It was to be a great adventure and learning experience not only for UCWI personnel but for the people of Jamaica as well”. The beginning of the academic year October 1949 saw the first batch of medical students joined by the first students in the Faculty of Natural Sciences and in 1950 by students in the Faculty of General Arts. At
He was instrumental in the development and growth of cardiology in Jamaica. He worked for five (5) decades on the wards and clinics of the University Hospital. He was an excellent mentor and teacher. Professor Henry Fraser acted as his House Officer while a final year medical student in Mona and wrote about Don Christian “His positive character and generous spirit were an inspiration to me. He made an effort to remember students’ names and was always interested in their well being and ambitions. I learnt
this time, UWI was well on its way with its brightest and best young minds. They interacted in this crucible of learning, training and research, to apply the
the importance of humor, positive thinking and thoughtful counseling, none of which were particularly prominent, in the teaching methods, of
talents, which they acquired, to the further development of the islands of the West Indies.
most of the teachers, at that time”. Don was instrumental in providing equipment to the
The young Donald found both the medical training, as well as the social life on Campus, to be very stimulating and exciting. He interacted in the early days with the likes of young Sir Kenneth Standard,
University Hospital to assist in diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases such as cardiac catheterization, electrocardiography, echocardiography, cardiac monitors and Holter
Gloria Knight, Sir John Golding, Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott and the new additions to the medical faculty included to the young Sir George Alleyne and Knox
monitors among others. In the 1970s, the Cardiology Unit was housed in a small cramped room called the ECG Department with little hope of expansion. Don
Hagley. These are numbered among the many that served to elevate the status of UWI over the years. After graduating in 1954, Don worked at the
Christian in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Kingston arranged for construction of a two storey Cardiology Unit which was opened in 1986. He worked in conjunction with several other pioneers to
University Hospital in Mona then left for England to pursue postgraduate studies. He was the first graduate of UCWI to pass the exam for Membership
develop cardiology in Jamaica including Professor Kenneth Lamont Stewart, Dr. James Ling, Professor Michael Woo Ming, Professor Howard Spencer,
of the Royal College of Physicians of London, which he did in 1960. He worked at the London Chest Hospital and there, was influenced by Dr. Ronald Gibson, to pursue a career in cardiology.
Professor Charles Denbow and Dr. Keith McKenzie. His contribution was not limited to patient care, teaching and mentoring. He was a communityoriented person and also ran a successful private practice. He opened one of the top private medical laboratories in Jamaica, Caledonia Medical
He returned to Jamaica and was appointed Senior Registrar in the Department of Medicine at the University Hospital in Kingston. One year later, he was appointed Lecturer in Medicine UWI and Consultant Physician at the University Hospital.
Laboratories. He was a well-lettered man obtaining FRCP in 1975, FACP 1976, FACC 1987. He was a founding member and past president of the Caribbean Cardiac Society (1989-1992). He was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ) in 1989 and became President of the MAJ in 1995. In August 1995, he received the National Honour from the Government of Jamaica being awarded the Order of Distinction in the Commander Class.
He was involved in insurance medicine and was medical advisor to several insurance companies in Jamaica for over forty (40) years. He was also a member of the Lions Club of Kingston and a longstanding member of the fraternity of freemasonry. He also ran a free clinic for underprivileged residents at the Gordon Town Clinic, in the hills of St. Andrew. Don was a family man. He was married to his classmate Dr. Pamela Rogers in 1960. They had three (3) children, two (2) daughters Helen and Jennifer and a son Donald. He always spoke about his children with pride. Eventually, he spoke less of them and much more about his seven (7) grandchildren. When the marriage ended he received comfort and companionship from his significant other Hyacinth Davidson, a relationship that lasted for more than thirty-five (35) years until his death. Don Christian recognized that in order to expand cardiology he needed to link with pioneers in cardiovascular health outside of the English-speaking Caribbean. He encouraged all cardiologists to attend and present papers at the Commonwealth Caribbean Medical Research meetings. Dr. Christian got to know Drs. Krone and Statius Van Epps of Curacao and he also influenced Dr. Yves Donatien of Martinique to join the Caribbean Cardiac Society, the latter becoming President. He also thought it important to expand the membership to Cuba and to Haiti but this did not materialize. Don Christian also served on the Board at the University Hospital and is on record as being the longest serving Board Member. He was also instrumental in the resurrection of the Association Consultant Physicians of Jamaica (ACPJ) in 1995. He became president of the ACPJ in 2007. He had a wonderful personality, a booming voice, a charming smile and infectious laughter. He was loved and admired by all. On the 1st of April 2015, that light which arose from the west in 1948, was slightly dimmed by the passing of Donald Edward Christian, one of its founding alumni, but we hope that the rich legacy, which he left behind will help to illuminate the institution which will shine brightly forever more. To Dr. Donald Edward Christian we say, we will miss you and may your soul rest in everlasting peace.
Prepared by M Mohammed, E-mail: waltmohammed@yahoo.com
JOHN HALL Hon. Dr. John Hall CD, OJ, MB, FRCP (Ed), FRCP (London), FRSM, FACP, CStJ
Awarded the Commander of the Order of Distinction and the Order of Jamaica for his valuable contributions to the practice of Medicine in Jamaica. Professor, the Honourable Dr. John Hall was born in the Cockpit Country and raised in the Dry Harbour Mountains. Professor Hall was educated at Morris Knibb Preparatory and Kingston College and went on to graduate from the University of London, King’s College and Charing Cross Hospital Medical School, London and was registered by the Medical Council of Jamaica and The General Medical Council of England. Professor Hall is a Consultant Neurologist trained at the Institute of Neurology, Queen’s Square, London, 1958. Dr. Hall honed his training by serving as a Fellow in Clinical Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, 1963. Upon his return to Jamaica after his fellowship training, Prof. Hall founded the Neurology Clinic at Kingston Public Hospital in 1963 and served as the Chairman of the Department of Medicine for many years. Continuing to transfer knowledge, in 1972, he served as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology, Columbia Presbyterian Medical School, New York City, Prof. Hall has been recognized as a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh: As the longest serving Regional Advisor on record; he has been awarded the President’s Quiche. In 1979 Prof. the Hon. Hall was given the Centenary Medal of the Institute of Jamaica for services to medicine (1979) he was subsequently honoured by the Medical Association of Jamaica for distinguished services to medicine in 1986 and served as its President from 2003-2005. Prof. The Hon. John Hall’s many other awards and recognitions include:
Fellow of the American College of Physicians, 1976. A Justice of the Peace of St. Andrew since 1977. Commander of the Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem (CStJ) 1979. Fellow of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1987. Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, Senior Fellow, 1990 Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, 1991 Author of “Clinical Embrace: A mid-century journey to KPH.” 2000. Editor of (a) “KPH- The high seat of medicine in Jamaica.” 2002. Medical
Education
and
Ethics:
Challenges
and
Opportunities for the 21st Century 1994. Dr. Hall has authored several papers in The Practitioner, WIMJ, Postgraduate Medicine, Travel Medicine, American Journal of Pathology, Journal of Neurological Sciences and has provided testimony by invitation before the 93rd Congress of The United States of America. Professor the Hon. Dr. John Hall was elected to the Medical Council of Jamaica (M.C.J.) in 2011 and has served as the Chairman from election until his retirement in 2019.
PAST PRESIDENT
OWEN MORGAN Professor Morgan was internationally recognized as a leader in the field of medical education beginning with his work as a Consultant Neurologist in the Department of Medicine at The University of the West Indies, Mona, and continuing to become the Head of the Department and subsequently Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Mona. He was integrally involved in the research surrounding HTLV-1 and related diseases and was an excellent teacher to countless undergraduate and postgraduate students in the many ears of his association with the Faculty of Medical Sciences.
For the ACPJ, Prof Morgan was perennially involved in the activities of the Association. For his contribution to the field of medicine, he was honored by the Association in 2004. Many remember this outstanding contributor to the regional practice of medicine and recall with fondness, his penchant for giving useful advice.
PAST PRESIDENT
EDWARD CHUNG Dr.
Edward
Chung
attended
UWI-MBBS
programme and graduated in 1973 with honors in O&G. He then completed his DM in Internal Medicine at UHWI in 1978 and then Fellowship in Cardiology at Hammersmith Hospital in 1980. Since then, he has been a Consultant at the National Chest Hospital and the UHWI. He also began
his
private
practice
at
Cardiology
Associates in partnership with Dr. Don Christian and later Dr. Andrene Chung. He was instrumental along with Dr. Don Christian
and
Professors
Denbow
and
Besterman in establishing the cardiology unit at UHWI and was the director of non-invasive services and Co Director of Cath services up to 2007.\ \ He was Vice President and President of the ACPJ from 1993-2001. President and VP of Caribbean Cardiac Society 2002-2006. Chairman of the National Resuscitation Council Of Jamaica 20052008. Honorary Director of HFJ. Honorary lecture
at
UHWI,
and
his
numerous
accreditations fellow of ACC, ACP, ACCP, ESC, ASE. He has also written numerous papers and delivered many brilliant lectures. He is a real favorite of the drug companies as he brings out all the general practitioners who benefit from his
sound
and
logical
assessment
of
cardiovascular therapies. He is always at the fore front of new technological and drug advances.
PAST PRESIDENT 2010 - 2012
RAINFORD WILKS Accomplished, award-winning academic physician
and
proven
record
accomplishments
epidemiologist
with
of
research
and
leadership;
curriculum development, delivery, and training; community engagement and service; and policy advisor to regional governments, health organizations and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
PAST PRESIDENT 2010 - 2012
AMZA ALI I became President of the ACPJ in September 2009. The Executive Team was as follows: A. Ali President, Dr H. Mohammed Immediate PastPresident, R. Wright Pascoe 1st Vicepresident, A. Aquart-Stewart 2nd Vice-President, H. Falconer Honorary Secretary, M. Williams Assistant Secretary, M. Boyne Honorary Treasurer and L. Johnson-Whittaker, Assistant Treasurer. The Association was formed as the “Association of Physicians of Jamaica” in 1972 by a small group of physicians but was re-energised in 1995 when it was renamed the Association of Consultant Physicians of Jamaica, ACPJ, with Dr John Hall as its first President. In 2003, for the first time, the Association held its own Annual ACPJ Symposium, a review of epilepsy featuring the Head of Epilepsy at the National Institutes of Health, Dr William Theodore MD, who was invited by me in my then capacity as Honorary Treasurer of the ACPJ, to advance awareness and clinical practice of internists in Jamaica in the area of epilepsy.
When I succeeded Dr Hafeezul Mohammed as President of the ACPJ in September 2009 to serve for two years as is customary, the organization was facing significant financial concerns as part of the broader national economic situation and the global downturn. The ACPJ Executive decided to change the way we obtained sponsorship for our annual symposium.
We first decided on our topics, choosing those that we felt would find interest among potential sponsors. We then amongst us identified the companies who would be most likely to be interested. We then designated amounts to each category of sponsorship (Super, Major and Regular, with an allowance for lesser sponsors). We discussed ways in which we could make sponsorship of value to the sponsors and decided to work closely with the sponsors to see how we could achieve mutual benefit. We also decided to go outside of the usual group of sponsors, identifying financial institutions who might find value in developing relationships with the medical community. Improving the financial standing of the Association was one of the most satisfying outcomes of my Presidency. Another was the creation of the new logo of the ACPJ. For this I must thank my wife Susanna with whom I collaborated to create this simple logo that is in use today. Branding is important and a recognizable logo helps to advance what we stand for. The Association’s Treasurer Dr M. Boyne in 2010 launched a Facebook site which symbolically represented the change we wish to see in modernising our Association and making it more visible and accessible to all its members as well as potential members. This was conceptualized as a vehicle to advance the brand of the ACPJ and reach a younger audience. This potential was further enhanced by the launch in 2010 of our new website www.acpja.com with thanks to everyone who worked so hard on this, including the website designer Toni-Anne Creary. The Facebook site was linked to this, increasing visibility. We were pleased to report that discussions with the American College of Physicians (ACP) had been successful in having the ACP agree to our new website being formally linked to that of the ACP’s, with all the potential attendant benefits of a growing relationship with the ACP. At the beginning of my term in office I also felt that the creation of subspecialty subcommittees would invigorate the Association by bringing in other activities beyond the areas of personal interest of the Executive members as well as hopefully younger members. As such several subcommittees were set up, giving many younger physicians an early opportunity to participate in the activities of the ACPJ through the holding of quarterly meetings, which also served to keep the Association prominently in mind throughout the year instead of only at the time of its Annual Symposium. For this I must thank all the members of my Executive and the heads of the subcommittees as listed above.
As always, a major highlight of the Association’s activities is the hosting of the Annual Symposium and the Banquet, the latter an important fundraising opportunity but more importantly a great opportunity to bring the fraternity and well-wishers together. In 2010 we were fortunate to have Dr Fred Ralston, internist and President of the American College of Physicians as our keynote speaker for the Symposium and the Banquet. Dr Ralston was invited by our 1st Vice President Dr Rosemarie Wright-Pascoe. He spoke on the History of Health Care Reform in the US and the challenges ahead at the Banquet. At the Annual Symposium he again spoke and addressed what the ACP had to offer internists and subspecialists of internal medicine and the importance of prevention in caring for patients and the role of medical societies in advocating for their patients and their profession. In 2011 we were also honoured to have Professor Talmadge King, Chair of Dept. of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco and Past President of the American Thoracic Society deliver the Jeffrey Smith Wilson Lecture at the Annnual Symposium, demystifying the interstitial lung diseases. His presentation succinctly explored the various causes of interstitial lung diseases including inhaling of organic and inorganic substances, drug reactions, infection and connective tissue disease. Our gratitude to Dr Althea Aquart for finding such a prominent and interesting speaker. At the beginning of our term we felt we would be more efficient by engaging with a secretariat and were fortunate to engage Mr Hanif Smith and his team in SMTC Ltd who quietly worked in the background to help us advance these initiatives. Most of all I saw a true happiness to be a part of this organisation and growing excitement about its future prospects. I always believed that the ACPJ should be more accessible, visible, financially viable and relevant to the wider membership, particularly its younger members. In the future we must also recognise the important role of the ACPJ as an advocate for Internal Medicine, as spoken to by Dr Fred Ralston, President of the ACP. I must end by again recognising my Executive of the time, many of whom also become Presidents of the Association, for all the great work done over those 2 years. It was a privilege to be a part of such a great team. Amza Ali DM, FRCP, MBA
" I consider it a privilege and a pleasure to have served a term of office as President of the ACPJ from September 2007 to 2009."
HAFEEZUL MOHAMMED
T .
he educational activities, (CME meetings, the annual Symposia) and banquets were then, as now, highlights of our calendar. The members of the executive worked closely together throughout, meeting every three months in the Dept. of Medicine, UWI. They were of immense support and assistance to me in carrying out the Association’s mandate. We were fortunate to have our 1st VP, Dr. Rosemarie Wright-Pascoe, also being concurrently President of the MAJ; this allowed closer collaboration between our organizations. 2008 was a particularly busy year, as in addition to our usual events, we participated in the 60th-anniversary celebrations of the University of the West Indies. This occasion permitted the renewal of many friendships with overseas colleagues, some of whom also joined us for our banquet. In 2009, I handed the baton over to Dr. Amza Ali, confident that the Association would go from strength to strength.
PAST PRESIDENT
ROSE MARIE WRIGHT PASCOE WILLIAMS Objectives: To highlight the reputation of our distinguished members and their contribution to nation-building and to make our association known to the policy makers
During my tenure I instituted the following: 1. Young Investigator Award Objectives: To encourage research and publication by our younger colleagues. During my tenure, Drs Karen Phillips, Thompson and Patrice Francis-Emmanuel were the recipients respectively. 2. I instituted a system whereby our younger colleagues, and colleagues (be they representative or not for their region) to be the leaders during our annual symposium by being chairpersons for the symposium Objective To encourage more participation by our colleagues in the rural areas and to engender loyalty and commitment to the ACPJ 3. I invited the Prime Minister, The Hon. Portia Simpson to be the guest speaker at our banquet. The theme for that year was 50 years of Internal medicine and celebration of the Jamaica's 50th the anniversary of Independence 4. That year, I invited the Minister of Health to open the symposium 5. That year, I highlighted the role of the National Committee on NCDs and had our own DM Graduate Dr D Beverley Barnett, the then PAHO / WHO Representative in Guyana speak on the NCDs in the Caribbean
4. We had a beautiful magazine for that year where our older colleague ( Dr Hopeton G Falconer ) was asked to publish his thoughts on 50 years of Internal Medicine , the Young Investigators wrote their feelings on winning this award; and we had a collage of pictures from previous annual meetings and banquet To encourage more participation by our colleagues in the rural areas and to engender loyalty and commitment to the ACPJ. To enhance the reputation of our distinguished members and their contribution to nation-building To encourage camaraderie Let me say that it was a pleasure being president and working with members of executive who worked tirelessly to make my 2 years a success. The work of prrevious presidenst and the advice they offered me was also exceptional . I encourage our members to participate by becoming a part of the executive and by participating in our events.
Rosemarie Wright Pascoe Williams MBBS, DM, FACP, FRCP (UK) Professor of Medicine and Endocrinology The Department of Medicine The University of the West Indies Mona Kingston 7 Tel # 1876-9271707 Fax # 1876-9770621 E-mail address : rosemarie.wrightpascoe@uwimona.edu.jm
PAST PRESIDENT
ALTHEA AQUART-STEWART
D .
r. Althea Aquart-Stewart attended Wolmer’s Girls School. She completed her BSc. in Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of the West Indies, Mona. She went on to attain her MB.BS., class of 1987 and her DM ( Internal Medicine) in 1996. She did her fellowship training in Pulmonology with Critical Care at the University of Toronto between 1999- 2001. At Island Medical offices, she offers consultations in Internal Medicine and Pulmonology. Other services offered include bronchoscopy and biopsy, Pulmonary function testing and interpretation. Dr. Aquart-Stewart is a Consultant Physician & Pulmonologist at the University Hospital of the West Indies. She is an Associate Lecturer in the Dept.of Medicine, UWI. She is passionate about teaching and mentoring students, and maintaining the delivery of quality patient care, despite limited resources. She has served on numerous committees in the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences &Research, and was instrumental in establishing a Critical Care Unit on the medical floor. Dr. Aquart-Stewart is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, and member of the American College of Chest Physicians. She is a past President of the Association of Consultant Physicians of Jamaica (ACPJ) and the Principal investigator in the international BOLD research project.
PAST PRESIDENT 2015 - 2017
I wish continuity and growth of the ACPJ.
The ACPJ website was revamped under the expert eye of our Website Management Physician Liaison, Dr Kimikawa Morgan –Channer with technical support of Blitz Web Design and managed by Mr Brandt Fuller. The web address is www.acpja.org presents opportunities to members to log on and become active in blogs etc.
LILIETH JOHNSON WHITTAKER
I
t was indeed an honour to serve as ACPJ President from 2015 – 2107, as this position has been held by many of our illustrious colleagues. Our achievements were made possible through the dedication, elbow grease and expertise of a very hard working executive.
During my tenure, the ACPJ became a registered company under the Companies Act, fulfilling the requirements of many drug companies wishing to sponsor our academic programmes. The ACPJ also became a registered Charity under the Charities Authority of the Government of Jamaica, meaning that we are exempt from Income Tax, GCT, Property Tax, Stamp Duty, Transfer Tax, Customs Acts and the provisional collection of Tax (Minimum Business Tax). Likewise, donations made to the ACPJ are an allowable expense in the books of the donor under Section 13(1) (q) of the Income Tax Act, i.e. Tax free up to the statutory limit. This is a very big deal, providing the organization with the legal frame work to raise funds and conceive and implement significant projects including the setting up of Trusts to further the objectives of the association.
Another objective was to revamp our website. I am pleased to say the site is up and running under the expert eye of our Website Management Physician Liaison, Dr Kimikawa Morgan – Channer with technical support of Blitz Web Design, managed by Mr Brandt Fuller. The web address is www.acpja.org we are a little short on content at this time, but the opportunities are endless as members are being encouraged to log on and become active in blogs etc. The ACPJ adopted a forward-looking and sound organizational stance. It is poised to devise and implement plans which will allow it to achieve its objectives of; Advancing Medical Knowledge among Physicians Improving Health Care in Jamaica Maintaining proper standards of Medical and Ethical practice Promoting Continuing Medical Education Encouraging and promoting basic and clinical research. My wish is to see the ACPJ expand its membership and develop greater involvement with and mentorship of our Associate Members, the residents in our training programmes.
PAST PRESIDENT 2019 - 2021
DR. MIKE MILLS
My time serving the ACPJ was highlighted by the COVID pandemic. I would like to think that the executive managed to keep the standard of the ACPJ high despite being unable to physically meet. We transitioned to virtual meetings and managed to introduce
an
increased
number
of
educational activities outside of our usual two
in-person
meetings.
We
also
participated in the national discussion on various aspects of medicine, including the challenges of COVID and its impact on our population and members. At the end of my period, I felt it was a fulfilling experience and I learnt a lot from my time at the table. I wish the current and future Presidents much success as we endeavour to keep the Association relevant in this ever-changing landscape.
Mike Mills Gastroenterologist www.phoenixgastro.com
PAST PRESIDENT 2017 - 2019
DR. MICHAEL BOYNE Dr. Michael Boyne has played so many roles in the ACPJ, including but not limited to: President 2017-2019 First Vice-President 2015-2017 Honorary Treasurer 2007-2012 Chairman, CME Subcommittee 2005-2007 Honorary Secretary 2003-2005
Stronger Together L WRITTEN BY
DESIREE TULLOCH-REID PRESIDENT, LUPUS FOUNDATION OF JAMAICA
\
upus is a serious autoimmune disease affecting an estimated 6000 Jamaicans, often with life-threatening complications. Unlike most other chronic noncommunicable diseases, lupus is considered a disease of the young, with most persons, predominantly females, being diagnosed between ages 15 – 44 years - at the peak of their productive lives. These facts have wide implications for individuals, families, and communities. In addition to often debilitating symptoms of the disorder, persons with lupus are often faced with delayed diagnosis, difficulty with accessing care, high costs of treatment, as well as the difficulty of living with a condition that may be poorly understood by the persons around them – challenges which can also contribute to risk of poor outcomes.
Lupus Foundation of Jamaica is a volunteer-run, member-based, charitable organization in operation since 1984 and has been at the forefront of efforts to improve the survival, outcomes and quality of life of Jamaicans affected by lupus through information, support, and advocacy.
The theme for Lupus Awareness Month, October 2023, Lup-US – You, Me, Us – Stronger Together is a nod to the cohesive, often sacrificial, efforts of our diverse community of lupus warriors, their families, health professionals and other supporters that have worked together to make strides in the fight against Lupus.
This is done through a range of programmes and activities in support of Lupus warriors including medical professional education, public education campaigns, Help Centre, online digital library, coaching, counseling, support groups, newsletter, medical expense assistance, access to health professionals, advocating for access to care and medications, and promotion of patient-centred research. We look forward to launching our much-anticipated Immune Diagnostics programme and Peer Support Volunteer training programme in the coming year which will further increase our impact and help save lives.
We salute the Association of Consultant Physicians for the support given, both material and moral, in our efforts, and we look forward to having our physician community continue to support the cause – to donate, join, and volunteer. We invite the community to support our many activities and events for Lupus Awareness Month including our Print and Poster Social Media campaign, our upcoming Laps For Lupus Awareness Fundraising Lapathon (October 15) and our annual Hybrid Lupus Symposium on October 22, 2023. Truly, we are Stronger Together.
Lupus. You, me, US. For more information on the work the Foundation is doing and to get involved, we invite you to contact us or visit our website and social media pages:
Lupus Foundation of Jamaica 7 Barbados Avenue, Kingston 5 Phone:876-754-8458, Helpline: 876-778-3892 E:info@lupusfoundationjamaica.org: www.lupusfoundationofjamaica.org Please like, follow, and subscribe to Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | LinkedIn
DM GRADUATES 2014
2015
JEHOVAN FAIRCLOUGH
REYNOLD BENJAMIN
KRISTE'-KAYE KING-ROBINSON
SWANE ROWE-GARDENER
RACQUEL GORDON
LAURIE-ANN LYLE
DERON REID
CANDISE PRICE
NORDIA CLARE-PASCOE
JODI-ANN PINKNEY
KURLENE CENAC
GEORGETTE MEADE
RACQUEL LOWE-JONES
KAMIKA FLETCHER-PEDDIE
MICHELLE BLACKWOOD
NICOLE CLARKE
2016
2017
NIKKE THOMPSON-GIRISH
ANDRE MCKENZIE
TRICIA HARRIS
VINNETTE PEARSON
DELANSIE LAWRENCE
TAHIRA REDWOOD RYAN BROOKS JANNIKE FRANK AYANNA CAMPBELL
DM GRADUATES 2018 DAYNA-KAYE TAYLOR-FORBES RAYMONDE ROHAN-MOVING
2021 THIN THIRI AUNG LAUREN MAIS MARCIA PEART
2019 KENIEL CHRYSOSTUM SAMANTHA GRANT
2022
COURTNEY LITCHMORE
TRUDY-ANN MORRISON
NADIA ROSE
CHERICE STODDARD
TREVOR BYGRAVE
ROXANNE BLAIR
KAMARIA DE CASTRO
ANGELLA WRIGHT
NATALIE SMITH
MELISSA ARTHURS ANDRE WILLIAMS
2020 2023 NATALYA ROSE-SCARLETT WAI YEE NG ABIGAIL MCDONALD AMBER PEREZ-MCKOY BAILLIE SHARI TUCKER-GILZENE O'DANIELLE O'SULLIVAN SUE-ANN MARTIN
DR. TRUDY-ANN MORRISON "Dr.
Trudy-Ann
Morrison
completed
both
her
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (2013) and Doctor of Medicine in Internal Medicine (2022) at the University of the West Indies, Mona. Currently, she serves as co-Chief Resident on Internal Medicine at the University Hospital of the West Indies. Her imminent aspirations lie within the subspecialty of Gastroenterology. She prides herself on going the extra mile for her patients, and feels immensely rewarded by the rapport she builds with them. Favourite pastime: Cooking & creating recipes Person she most admires: Her Mother"
DR. NATALYA ROSE-SCARLETT Dr. Natalya Rose-Scarlett earned her MBBS degree (with Honours) in 2014 and later achieved her DM in Internal Medicine degree in 2020. During her final year of the Internal Medicine program and as a post DM graduand, she served as one of the Internal Medicine Chief Residents.
Dr.
Rose-Scarlett
garnered
recognition
from
the
Department of Internal Medicine for her research project entitled "Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Heart Failure at the University Hospital of the West Indies" and was awarded "Best Research project" for the 2020-2021 period. Following the completion of her DM in Internal Medicine, Dr. RoseScarlett held the position of Post-DM Internist at the UHWI for 2 years before assuming the role of Consultant in Internal Medicine at the Mandeville Regional Hospital and Hargreaves Memorial Hospital in 2022. In addition to her primary roles, she also works on a parttime basis at the Mandeville Heart Centre. Dr. Rose-Scarlett's involvement has extended to the Southern Regional Health Authority where she served on the SRHA Monkeypox Task Force in 2022 and also assumed the role of ACPJ's SRHA representative in that same year till present. With a distinct inclination towards Cardiovascular Diseases, Dr. Rose-Scarlett aims to delve deeper into the realm of Cardiology, displaying a fervent dedication to advancing her expertise in this field.
ROXANNE BLAIR Dr. Roxanne Blair, BSc. (Hons), MBBS (Hons), DM Internal Medicine, UWI Mona. Dr. Blair completed her Doctor of Medicine, Internal Medicine degree at the University of the West Indies in December 2022 and currently serves as a Senior Registrar at the Kingston Public Hospital. She has an interest in endocrinology and is dedicated to excellence in patient care and education. In her spare time she enjoys spending a day at the beach with family and friends as well as engaging in charitable services within her community.
O’DANIELLE O’SULLIVAN Dr. O’Danielle O’Sullivan hails from St. Andrew, Jamaica. She pursued her medical degree at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus after being drawn to the medical field due to its dualistic nature of combining hardcore sciences with the soft skills of helping others and the opportunity to provide care for the under-served population. Her tenure at UWI, Mona culminated in her being awarded the Bachelor of Basic Medical Sciences with Honours in 2015 and the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree with Honours in 2017. Following the completion of her medical degree, O’Danielle did her internship and senior house officer years at the University Hospital of the West Indies, after which she completed her Doctor of Medicine in Internal Medicine at the UWI in June 2023. It was there her interest in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism was piqued, and O’Danielle hopes to complete a fellowship programme in this area. She is currently infused with the zeal and fortitude to gain the acumen required to have an innovative and effective approach to address the needs of marginalized populations as Jamaica continues its quest for worldclass health care delivery. When she is not working, O’Danielle enjoys going to the movies, listening to music and playing an intense game of kalooki with friends and family.
DR. ABIGAIL MCDONALD Dr. Abigail McDonald received her Bachelors of Medicine, Bachelors of Surgery (MB,BS) degree with Honours from The University of the West Indies (UWI) in 2014. She was also awarded The Honourable Dr. John Hall book prize for academic excellence in her final MB,BS Internal Medicine examinations, which help set the tone for her future aspirations. She went on to complete the Doctor of Medicine program in Internal medicine at The UWI amidst the covid crisis in 2020, thereafter, she continued to work at The UHWI, serving in various roles as Consultant Physician and Acting Chief Resident between 20212022. Currently she is a Clinical Fellow in Cardiology at The University of Toronto, where she has had the opportunity to work under great tutelage at renown hospitals such as The Toronto General Hospital, the 4th ranking best hospital in the world. She hopes to continue to bolster and develop the flourishing field of Cardiology in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean once finished with her training.
AMBER PEREZMCKOY-BAILLIE Dr. Amber Perez-McKoy Baillie completed her Bachelor of Basic Medical Sciences and then the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) with Honours in 2015 at the University of the West Indies, Mona. She did her internship at the Kingston Public Hospital and then pursued her Doctor of Medicine in Internal Medicine at the UWI. She is an enthusiastic physician who is passionate about patient care. She enjoys outdoor activities with her family and current hobbies include bike riding and weight training. She currently works at the KPH and has special interests in the field of Cardiology.
DR. NADIA ROSE Dr. Nadia Rose is an aspiring Cardiologist who successfully
obtained
her
MBBS
degree
(with
Honours) in 2013 and completed her DM degree in Internal Medicine in 2019. She is presently serving as an Internist at May Pen Hospital, while concurrently overseeing the care of cardiac patients at the Partners Interventional Center of Jamaica.
DR. NATALIE SMITH Completed DM Internal Medicine in December 2019. She is an Internist at Kingston Public Hospital. She is also a member of ACPJ and MAJ.
DR. CHERICE STODDARD Dr. Cherice Stoddard is a citizen of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. She is a graduate of the University of the West Indies (Mona Campus) with over ten years’ experience as a practising physician. She is currently an Internist at the Savanna La Mar Hospital in Westmoreland
and
has
a
keen
interest
in
Interventional Cardiology.
DR WAI YEE NG Dr. NG is currently a Senior Registrar at the Kingston Public Hospital. Her passion lies in both clinical practice and research, allowing her to contribute to advancing medical knowledge. Having spent her childhood in Hong Kong, she possesses cultural sensitivity and fluency in Cantonese, along with an understanding of Mandarin. Her diverse background enriches her interactions with patients and colleagues alike.
Dr. Dee Marie Wisdom, ACPJ young investigator awardee 2023, receiving her award from Dr. Patrice Francis-Emmanuel, Assistant Secretary for her research paper entitled The Neutrophil and Lymphocyte Ratio as a Marker of All-Cause Mortality in Patients Admitted to the UHWI with Covid 19
SLEEPING PATTERNS IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE Dr. Racquel Lowe-Jones 2nd VP ACPJ Consultant Nephrologist Member ISN North America & Caribbean Regional Board
C
hronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has been an emerging non-communicable disease worldwide, as it is often asymptomatic in the early stages. In the advanced stage, persons exhibit multiple physical and biochemical manifestations. Patterns of sleep is not a commonly asked symptom in this population, even though they have multiple reasons why sleep may be negatively affected.
Factors involving sleep disturbance in CKD are multifactorial and accompany the common co-morbid conditions of diabetes, hypertension and obesity. Sleep related disorders in CKD have increased risk for mortality. Medically related include breathlessness from chronic pulmonary congestion, sleep disordered breathing, CKD associated anemia, uremic pruritus, restless leg syndrome and peripheral neuropathies worsened by progressive calcific arteriopathy. Dialysis related contributors involve shortened sleep cycle from early morning rising to attend in-center dialysis, sleep disturbance from those pts receiving in-home hemodialysis with machine alarms, cognitive decline in patients on maintenance dialysis and inadequate dialysis clearance causing ineffective symptom relief. The kidneys have peripheral circadian sensors that communicate with our central circadian rhythm. This relationship aids in controlling blood pressure, sodium physiology and the glomerular filtration rate. Advanced age can disrupt this rhythm contributing to adverse renocardio-metabolic outcomes. Nocturia is a common disruptive condition in CKD occurring with the reversal of the peripheral circadian rhythm in aging kidneys (Mohandas, Douma, Scindia, Gumz, 2022). This is related to urinary sodium excretion predominating at night, as opposed to a younger adult excreting the sodium during the daylight hours. Being post-menopausal, having a smaller bladder capacity and impaired urine concentrating ability also contribute to nocturia.
Sleep quality varies according to stage of CKD, where patients receiving renal replacement therapy have a higher incidence of insomnia than those who are kidney transplanted. Quality of sleep is diminished in persons with early CKD and they have been found to consume more pharmacologic sleep aids. The kidney-heart-brain crosstalk is an important factor to consider in those with uremic CKD and sleep disturbance, due to overlapping physiologies. Sleep assessment in patients with CKD should be incorporated in our overall strategy to decrease their health burdens. Ongoing research suggests that the kidneys may play a larger role in the overall body circadian rhythm time-keeping. A multiprong approach to treatment strategies including massage, acupuncture, light therapy and medications, have been used, however safety and efficacy has not been validated in patients with CKD (Natale, Ruospo, Saglimbene, Palmer, Strippoli, 2019). Greater investigations into patterns of sleep disturbance in the context of CKD are needed.
You have had a Stroke… NOW WHAT? D R .
K A R E N
P H I L L I P S
The days following the initial hospitalization for the management of a stroke can be filled with anxiety, worry and uncertainty for both the stroke survivor and family. To a large extent, these feelings are due to lack of awareness of how best to manage this period. This phase of recovery should involve rehabilitation as this is most important in determining the eventual outcome of the patient. Stroke Rehabilitation is an interdisciplinary effort and requires the sustained, coordinated effort of all team members, as well as the patient, family and friends. The core team includes Physicians, Nurses, Physical and Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Pathologists, Neuropsychologists, Nutritionists and others. Communication and coordination among these team members are paramount in maximizing the effectiveness and efficiency of rehabilitation. The aim of stroke rehabilitation is to maximize functional recovery and independence in the patient with acute stroke. As mentioned in our previous article, health care during the acute phase of stroke care is directed at stabilizing the patient, delivering acute stroke treatments and initiating prophylactic and preventative measures. Following this acute phase, patients should have a comprehensive assessment of their rehabilitation needs.
Many factors are taken into consideration when determining the most appropriate level of rehabilitative care for the stroke survivor. These include: 1.
The severity of neurological deficits
2.
Cognitive and communicative ability
3.
Psychological status
4.
Swallowing ability
5.
Medical Comorbidities
6.
Family/Caregiver support
7.
Ability to participate in a rehabilitation program
There is good scientific evidence that patients who participate in a focused care rehabilitation program have better outcomes after stroke than patients who do not receive stroke rehabilitation. The rate of recovery is generally greater in the weeks or months following a stroke but there is evidence that performance can improve for over a year following a stroke. Stroke recovery can be long and frustrating but dedication and motivation along with a good stroke rehabilitation plan will help patients gain the most benefit.
THOMAS DEKKER
“Sleep is the golden chain that ties health and our bodies together.”
MOMENTS
