Dr Rosemarie Wright-Pascoe is a respected endocrinologist and consultant physician in Jamaica. She is known for her work on diabetes and her efforts to advance the profession of medicine through teaching, research and public service. She is a reviewer for internationally recognised journals and has co-written many peer-reviewed publications. She is currently conducting research on how the use of small glucose devices for self-monitoring affects patients’ ability to manage their disease. By managing blood glucose levels effectively, the risk of complications is reduced.

Dr Wright-Pascoe began her career as a house officer at the Bustamante Hospital for Children in 1978. She gained clinical experience working in various settings and positions in the public health system. In 1986, she started postgraduate studies at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona. After completing her training in endocrinology, she was appointed Consultant Physician and Endocrinologist at the University Hospital of the West Indies, and subsequently Senior Lecturer in internal medicine, endocrinology and metabolism in the university’s Department of Medicine.

She is a dynamic educator on the Mona Campus, organising professional gatherings and raising grants for research. She has played a key role in improving the medical sciences curriculum and methods used to assess students. She is highly regarded by students for her teaching skills, and has co-supervised 47 graduate and postgraduate students.

Dr Wright-Pascoe is well known throughout her homeland as the face of the Medical Association of Jamaica, and is one of only two women to have served as president. In this role, she stressed the importanceof high ethical standards in medicine, and the improvement in patient/physician communication. She has also given tremendous public service to other national bodies as a speaker, educator and advocate for patients.

This outstanding woman was born on 29th May, 1958 and grew up in the Rollington Town and Vineyard Town areas of Kingston, Jamaica. She credits her primary school for instilling a standard of excellence in all that she does. Throughout school, she was a top student. By age 13, she knew that she wanted to become a doctor, and she worked hard towards achieving that goal. The example of two of her tutors, who were both brilliant and caring to their patients and students, inspired her to specialise in internal medicine and endocrinology.

She describes the birth of her son and only child as one of her greatest achievements and considers that, “To nurture a human being to maturity is an awesome and challenging task.” She also believes that, “Caribbean people are bright people who contribute to science and academia all over the world.”

CAREER INFORMATION

What is an endocrinologist?

An endocrinologist is a physician who diagnoses, treats and manages disorders of the endocrine glands and the levels of hormones produced by them. These glands comprise the pituitary gland, thyroid, adrenals, ovaries, testes and pancreas, which collectively are known as the endocrine system. Disorders treated include diabetes, Cushing syndrome, and growth abnormalities. Endocrinologists may perform basic research to learn about the way glands work, or do clinical research to learn new methods for treating patients. Many also teach.

Areas of Specialisation

• Paediatric endocrinology
• Reproductive endocrinology
• Molecular endocrinology
• Neuroendocrinology

What do I need to study?

At CSEC and CAPE: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics

Endocrinologists are required to: hold a medical degree, have completed at least three years of internship and residency programmes, have worked for at least two years honing their diagnostic and treatment skills, and be board certified. They must have approximately 10 years of training.

What skills and traits do I need?

• Love for laboratory work
• Compassion for others
• Attention to detail
• Good communication and interpersonal skills

Famous Endocrinologists

• Geoffrey Harris
• Roger Guillemin
• Andrew V. Schally
• Rosalyn Sussman Yalow
• Alfred Jost