December 2013


Issue Home >>

Napoleon Hill, an American author on success, once wrote that patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.

After reminiscing on four or five years of medical school, I am sure we can all relate to this sentiment. Certainly the practice of medicine requires a great deal of patience (pun intended). Only through persistence could we have conquered what loomed at times as Mount Everest. Not only perspiration, but tears were shed along the path to attaining our goal.

Perhaps, however, Mr Hill neglected one necessary ingredient in the pursuit of purpose; that is passion. For it is said that if purpose is the reason we journey, then passion is the fire that lights our way.

As I examine my life through the lens of retrospection I realize that my passion in isolation does not, in itself, account for my successes. It was the passionate belief in the future of a child that compelled my parents to work and sacrifice. And so, I know I speak for all the graduands here when I say thank you to the proud parents, guardians and other loved ones sitting in the audience today. Thank you for your shoulders and laps, for your hands which cupped our tears and your words which calmed our fears. You are our inspiration and motivation. And though words may fail to convey the immense gratitude our hearts yearn to express, know that today we celebrate you, for any accomplishment in our lives is simply a reflection of your love, prayer and sacrifice.

To the administration and staff of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, it was your commitment to ensuring the holistic development of a student that built study rooms, activity centers and student accommodations. Only passion could have driven you to stand in cold corridors and correct our misconceptions, to perform in concerts, run in fun day races and buy our fund-raising cupcakes. You challenged us by pushing us into unforeseen circumstances, saying “think on your feet and always put your patients first”. You counseled and encouraged us through difficult times when we were tempted to throw in the towel. And so, we stand here, proud graduands of The University of the West Indies, saluting you for your dedication, and thanking you for being the devoted disciples we hope to mimic in our practice.

To you my colleagues, it was an honor to learn and work at your side. Here’s to the days spent perfecting our craft to a point where our nights were spent dreaming of it. Here’s to the doubles, KFC, pizza and coffee strategically placed at the centre of our study groups while we discussed the negative effects of high cholesterol and caffeine. Here’s to the laughter, the tears, the scares. My peers, here’s to you. Thank you for the understanding smiles, comforting hugs and encouraging nods along the way. And most of all, thank you for your friendship.

As I look back, I see a journey stippled with the passion of my generation. For passion was the fire that burned beneath the concerts, banquets, fashion shows and art galas. It was the zeal for outreach that guided blood drives, clinics, animal rights ventures and parades through the hospital, gifts in hand for every child at Christmas time. My friends, it was nothing short of a blessing to witness the flames of your passion become aglow, spread and engulf all that you put your hearts and hands to.

So allow me to applaud you on your success. You have made yourselves, your families and your university proud. It would be remiss of me not to say special congratulations to the Optometry graduands who have made history in being the first graduating class of the School of Optometry in the Faculty of Medical Sciences. Give yourselves a much deserved round of applause.

My comrades, we have left the comfortable confines of Mount Hope. Today, four months down the road, as I look at you, I see that fire still burning in your eyes and I realize that my words were not meant to inspire, they were simply meant to serve as a reminder. We have ventured into a world that expects much and at times it may seem overwhelming. But remember that we have been well prepared, and we have proven our competence in our various fields of Pharmacy, Dentistry, Optometry, Veterinary Sciences and Medicine. It is our passion that transforms the medical sciences into an art and we have been given brushes to paint the world with our knowledge and compassion. So paint. And as you paint, perfect your discipline. Remember that medicine is first and foremost a service to which you have been called, so approach it with humility. And hold fast to the words that were repeated to us time and time again: Always see the patient, and never the case. Let the world be your library and the patients your text books. Love what you do, or it will drive you crazy.

Finally and most importantly, we are everlastingly grateful to God who summoned us, gave us joy in our work, caught us when we stumbled on the road bumps, and brought us to this point in our journey, transformed and ready to serve out our purpose with passion. May He always guide our hands, heads and hearts and may we always be worthy vessels used for healing.

As I conclude, allow my parting words to be a blessing as we continue on our journey: May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

This is the valedictory address given to graduates of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, UWI, St Augustine, on October 26, 2013.