I am very grateful. I am very proud. I am very humbled…
These were the sentiments expressed by St. George’s University (SGU) Dean of University Alumni Affairs Dr. C.V. Rao as he spoke of his past student Dr. Timothy McKinney’s latest accomplishment.
Officials linked to the University and the Ministry of Health gathered at the Frequente Industrial Park last Monday to celebrate the opening of Dr. McKinney’s Pro Bono Women’s Clinic.
Joining in the celebrations were Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell and newly appointed Minister of Health Phillip Telesford.
Dr. McKinney who came to Grenada in 1982 to pursue a medical degree from SGU gave recognition to Dr. Rao for inspiring him to be a proficient surgeon.
“Dr. Rao was my professor of Anatomy here. He encouraged me to… know that if you were going to be a good surgeon or a great surgeon, you had to know anatomy…”
According to Dr. McKinney, he entered the medical field to change it and teach others.
“I went into medicine to change medicine though. I didn’t go into medicine to just practice medicine. I wanted to teach…,” he said, adding that the main priority was to impart knowledge to willing new physicians.
“My main goal for this clinic is besides bringing some good techniques and new skills and new education … I don’t want to end up being a sole entity here, I want to train as many people that want to learn…,” he said.
Dr. McKinney who specialises in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery hopes that he is able to reach women in different communities on the island who do not have access to certain medical services.
“I am looking forward to starting this endeavour there. Obviously, I have been trying for this for a long time so it’s been a passion for me. It’s really exciting for me and emotional for me to be truly open today and absolutely welcome all your support because really what I need is your support.
“This would be nothing without the referrals, without the cooperation, without the teamwork for Grenada. Hopefully we make a huge difference for the island.”
In addressing the ceremony, Dr. Rao while sharing stories of SGU’s early days, told the audience that he urged his students to be caring physicians.
“…I told all of them that when you become a doctor, you have to be caring, compassionate and kind. And Timothy was just that…Ten years ago he spoke to me… he told me about the plan, I said that is beautiful,” he told the gathering.
In his address, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell expressed his commitment and support of the health sector at large to the new venture.
“I want to assure the Minister of Health of my personal commitment and I think the government’s commitment and indeed thank the citizen’s commitment because I think if there is one common trend that we hear from all our citizens is the need to improve healthcare for all of us,” he said.
The Prime Minister who is the Member of Parliament for the Constituency of St. David underscored the value of the private sector in the healthcare system.
Acknowledging the healthcare sector as a business, the Grenadian leader said that there are other aspects involved in the business of healthcare beyond just healing the sick.
“I think oftentimes we view healthcare truly from the service delivery perspective and not from the business perspective and healthcare as we know is probably by now the trillion dollar business because everyone wants to live…,” he said.
“There are other aspects to healthcare other than just simply in a sense curing the sick and I think as a part of the development of healthcare in Grenada, we also have to recognise and encourage the private sector in particular to play its role in helping us address the significant gaps that we have in the healthcare system and I think Dr. McKinney’s clinic although a NGO, is one of the tools that we need to encourage to begin doing that,” he added.
PM Mitchell went on to say: “It is a partnership. We each need to work together. There is a lot of things that the government still needs to do to make this happen. I know it’s been a long journey. I wouldn’t say the journey is ending, it’s just beginning. I think the real fun is about to start in terms of the services that you offer to us here.
“Thank you for the commitment to serve Grenadians particularly women and to a large extent I believe the underserved and the underprivileged are the ones who are going to benefit most from this clinic and we are very, very happy for that,” he said.
In his first major address as the new Minister of Health, the MP for St George South-east conveyed that his passion for reshaping the current healthcare system is what drives him.
“…Your partnership by the way of your clinic…I am certain we would be able to move things forward,” he said.
The senior government minister expressed gratitude to Dr. McKinney for his contribution to healthcare and informed the audience that the issues surrounding healthcare is an area of focus for the country’s Cabinet.
“…We recognise in Grenada and in particular the Cabinet that there is a huge challenge as far as healthcare is concerned in Grenada and we really honour and respect the contribution that you have been making and the fact that you have walked these paths over forty years ago in Grenada having attained your education here… and has decided to return to Grenada, tells us a story…you have chosen to save the best for last to actually practice professionally on the people of Grenada.
“So we really want to thank you for making this your final stop and for setting up this clinic. We recognise your contribution and we really, really want to thank you so much and we are prepared to work with you Dr. McKinney and to provide whatever assistance we certainly can to take your clinic forward and to help build Grenada’s health infrastructure.
Local entrepreneur Ambassador Richard Nixon expressed his joy as he described Dr. Timothy McKinney’s journey to opening the Pro Bono Women’s Clinic.
“…Over the years, it’s been difficult but you stuck with it, you had many supporters and I am so very pleased to see that today your dream has become a reality. Your commitment to Grenada and what you can do for women’s health not only now but in the future…”
Ambassador Nixon felt that the new clinic will impact Grenada positively not just presently but in the future as well.
“Your commitment to Grenada means a lot to all of us as … does the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Health, the entire Grenadian public…,” he said.