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Dr Rosmond Adams was a little boy from Byera, Saint Vincent with big dreams. Education was the means to elevate himself and make a meaningful contribution to his community, country and region. Since leaving Byera, he qualified and practised as a medical doctor and worked as the National Epidemiologist, Public Health Specialist and in senior roles for regional entities such as CARICOM, CARPHA and PAHO/WHO. Dr Adams tells us about his journey from the countryside in Saint Vincent to the various countries of the region, hoping to make a difference.

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“We did not have much, nor did we ask for much.”

I lived in a small, rural village on the north-eastern coast of Saint Vincent called Byera, a predominantly farming community. Life was simple in the countryside. We did not have much, nor did we ask for much. As children, we enjoyed playing games like cricket in the road, going to the river, going to the beach and going to the mountains. A true Caribbean experience for a youth at that period.

I was very small in stature, but I had dreams that were probably bigger than I was. I knew that by getting a good education, I could lift myself out of my current condition and be able to contribute to the development of my community and my country.

In secondary school, the subjects I selected for exams were in the science stream. I chose them not because I had dreams of becoming a doctor, but because I just always loved the sciences. Biology was one of my favourite subjects and I loved Chemistry. I was an inquisitive student, and the sciences allowed me to do experiments and see life in motion and to answer questions about various scientific concepts.

As a young boy, I really wanted to become a pilot because I always loved airplanes. In fact, I am still in awe of them. However, at that time, going to “pilot school” was out of my reach financially and there was little or no chance of getting a scholarship in that field. So, while contemplating my future after A’ Levels, I came across a scholarship opportunity from the Government to study in Cuba. After examining the areas that the scholarship covered, I selected medicine and was successful. For seven years, I lived and studied in Cuba. After that, I completed a master’s degree in Public Health and later, another master’s degree in Bioethics.

“I have always cared about people”.

I used to say that I was accidentally drawn to medicine, but I think it was my destiny. I have always cared about people and had an interest in how the human body functions.

After I completed my first set of studies in medicine, I practised as a medical doctor in my home country.  Some years later, I decided to expand my knowledge on public health since this area of medicine focuses on the health of the population and not the individual doctor-patient relationship. As a public health specialist, you work for the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

On returning home after completing the first master’s degree, I worked in the area of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) to raise awareness about the rise in chronic diseases, how to reduce the risk factors and to embrace healthy lifestyles to live a healthier and more productive life. I also worked as the National Epidemiologist, ensuring that the country’s health profile and epidemiological data was current to effectively guide policy and planning and overall decision-making in the public health system. I was also given the responsibility to lead the national efforts during the Chikungunya and Zika outbreaks and guide public health preparations during the Ebola outbreak to strengthen the health systems in the event that a case was imported.

I love disease prevention and control. I derive great joy from implementing strategies to reduce disease burden, especially strategies that are focused on prevention. Prevention may seem simple but strangely, it is one of the hardest things to do. Therefore, finding new and innovative ways to implement prevention strategies is always exciting.

As the old saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure” so if you can encourage people to prevent diseases instead of treating the diseases, then health outcomes will be better.

“To be a good doctor, you must love your fellow human”

Medicine is an interesting career. There is so much you can do in terms of specializing and finding your specific area of interest or passion. However, it requires commitment and discipline. The working hours are long and tiring. 

To be a good doctor, you must love your fellow human and be willing to give of yourself without expecting. You are not just treating someone who is sick. You must examine the individual holistically (the physical, social and mental) and be able to help him attain the most optimal care. Sometimes, you just have to listen and be patient.

Since qualifying as a doctor, I have had the distinct honour of also working at the  regional and international levels. I worked as the Head of Health Information, Communicable Disease and Emergency Response at the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), as the Director of the Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) and now as an Advisor of Health Systems and Services at the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). I have enjoyed some truly memorable moments over the past few years while in active duty. In 2017, mere hours after the category five Hurricane Irma devastated the British Virgin Islands, I was deployed to the area to do damage assessments of the health sector. It was the first time that I had seen first-hand the impact of a hurricane on an island. I could not believe the magnitude of the devastation.

Another occasion that remains top of mind was when I took control of PANCAP during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a very unusual time but despite all the effort being placed on COVID-19, I was able to push for HIV to continue to remain relevant on the regional health agenda.

During that time, we were able to pilot HIV self-testing in the Caribbean and push for PrEP implementation and scale up.

I also taught at St. James School of Medicine and at The University of Trinidad and Tobago. When some of my past students come up to me and tell me about their accomplishments, it is such a good feeling to know that you have contributed to their professional development.

Above all, my two daughters inspire me. They are young and I try to do my best to make the world a better place for them.

I am an advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights. I also advocate against gender-based violence and have been supporting the family planning movement throughout the region. I hope that as they grow up, they will be living in a world where they are free to choose, and the rights of all girls are respected.

Growing up in my little rural community, there have always been role models like teachers or other prominent members of the community who encouraged me to always work hard and to do my best. I have also worked with excellent professionals in the field of medicine and public health who I admire and have been inspirations to me.

“Integration is key to the development of our region”

I am very passionate about contributing in a positive way to improve the quality of life and health of those in our region. As Small Islands Developing States (SIDS), we have many vulnerabilities. We have to come together as a group not only to pool resources but also to have a stronger voice on the global stage. Regional integration is key to the development of our region.

Through coming together, we have achieved many public health gains. For example, the Caribbean region was the first to have been validated by the WHO to have eliminated measles. Also, under CARICOM the regional public health agency, CARPHA, was established and the Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS was established to mount a regional response against the threat of HIV to sustainable development of the region. Other such institutions have been established. It is my hope that with time, regional integration efforts can be further strengthened.

I love working in medicine and I love what I am currently doing at the PAHO/WHO. I hope to continue doing this for a few more years. Public health is very challenging but at the same time very rewarding. I hope that in ten years I can see some of the fruits of my work in the region with health systems being strengthened to deliver better care and a move towards universal health.

If you are reading this and you are a little confused about your career, you should start by knowing what you want to do. Perhaps it is something that you are passionate about or something that interests you. Do as much research as you can and speak to as many people as possible. It is also important to get advice and seek mentorship. Don’t underestimate the importance of mentors!

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Dr Rosmond Adams underscores that one has to work hard to be successful, but one must also “create a life” and maintain a positive work-life balance.