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Volume No. 2 Issue No. 10 - Wednesday August 15, 2007
In Memoriam: Dr Bernard Andrew Sorhaindo (1934 - 2007)



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Dr Sorhaindo was a renowned Caribbean Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Dr Bernard Andrew Sorhaindo was born in Vielle Case, Dominica on January 18, 1934. He was the third of the ten children from the marriage of Rosa and Clive Sorhaindo.

Clive Sorhaindo, his father, was Head Teacher of the Vielle Case Government School. Dr Sorhaindo attended the Vielle Case Government School and won a Scholarship in 1945. He entered the Dominica Grammar School in 1946 to commence his secondary education.

At the conclusion of an accomplished education at the Dominica Grammar School, where he represented his school in national football competitions and was part of many casts of Shakespearian plays produced, he won the Dominica Island Scholarship in 1952 from among the first group of students to write the Cambridge Higher School Certificate.

In 1953, Dr Sorhaindo entered the University College of the West Indies, and with diligence and application pursued a course of studies in the field of medicine. He was well respected among his peers for his helpful, studious, and disciplined nature. Bernard was athletic and represented his hall at football.

It is during these years that he met the charming lady, Althea Garth from Falmouth, whom he successfully courted for marriage.

Dr Bernard Sorhaindo graduated with the M.B.B.S. (London-UCWI) in 1959, followed by an internship period. He was the first Dominican to graduate as a Medical Doctor from the University College of the West Indies.

Bernard returned to Dominica in 1961 and was assigned to the Casualty Department of the Princess Margaret Hospital. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed District Medical Officer and posted at Grandbay. There he served the Eastern District covering Castle Bruce and environs to Grandbay and outlying areas, and Soufriere and Scotts Head.

He served conscientiously and with devotion, providing quality medical health services and caring attention to each and everyone. Nothing was too much for him to do. He concentrated on his work and went beyond expectation to reach out to patients in urgent need of medical care.

He travelled the winding and difficult tracks, crossed the rivers, with cheerfulness and good spirits. His only accompaniment was his horse which could not always be used and a helper. I had the privilege as an agriculturist to accompany him on a journey.

It was a humble and grassroots experience. Without the services of a dentist, he undertook this additional task on his own.

After nine months of committed service, Bernard was posted as District Medical Officer at Portsmouth to cover the areas from Coulibistrie to Bense/Anse-de-Mai. With growing confidence he was able to make improvements to the service offered.

Shortly after settling down, Dr Sorhaindo made up his mind to take his Jamaican sweetheart, Althea, into the bond of marriage. On July 21, 1962 at the Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic church in Montego Bay, Jamaica, he married Althea Garth.

It was a great moment for celebration. I was there to take part in the event.

They both returned to Portsmouth, and Dr Sorhaindo continued to work tirelessly to provide adequate health services to the people of the areas. Despite the limitations, Dr Sorhaindo undertook surgery in a very confined theatre.

He made things work to the advantage of the many who came as emergencies from as far as Bioche by boat. When time permitted, he expanded his interests of childhood experience into gardening and night fishing.

He took the time also to introduce his wife Althea to her new home, Dominica, and to make acquaintances with well-wishers of the north. Within time a son, Mark, was born.

In 1964, Dr Sorhaindo left Dominica, with his family, to pursue advanced studies in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology in Jamaica and the United Kingdom. His daughter Arlene and son David were born in Jamaica. On successful completion, he returned to Dominica and was appointed Consultant/Gynaecologist in the Dominica Medical Service in September, 1967.

Dr Sorhaindo's 26 years of committed, caring, and conscientious service as Dominica's first obstetrician and gynaecologist are characteristics of marvel, greatness, humility and accomplishment. Patients came to Dominica for his medical attention from as far as Guyana to the US Virgin Islands.

He made significant presentations and contributions to the medical field, and participated in numerous medical conferences and reunions of medical graduates. He kept abreast with all developments in his specialty.

He was selected Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in June 1980 and Fellow of the American college of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist.

In March 2000, Dr Sorhaindo received Distinguished Recognition from the West Indian Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist for his outstanding contributions to the medical field.

Recognition to him for distinguished scholarship, outstanding medical services and valuable contributions to his specialized field has been regularly hailed by many prominent institutions of international and regional standing.

In continued service, he served as Perceptor (lecturer-teacher) at Ross University School of Medicine from 1978-1992. He was one of the first Dominicans to pioneer the establishment of Ross University.

Dr Sorhaindo received the ORDER of the BRITISH EMPIRE (O.B.E.) in June 1977 from HER MAJESTY, QUEEN ELIZABETH II, during her State visit to Antigua and Barbuda, as part of her Silver Jubilee Tour of the Caribbean.

In 2004, he received the Sisserou Award of Honour from the Government of Dominica for meritorious service.

He also served as consul for Jamaica in Dominica. Dr Sorhaindo participated in voluntary service and civic life. He was an active and committed member of the Dominica Lions Club and fully involved in family and church organizations, lecturing to groups on medical and related matters all over Dominica.

Bernard, or '' DOCTOR SOSO' as he was affectionately called by medical staff, was a man with a passion for his medical profession in which he has undoubtedly distinguished himself at home and abroad.

A quiet, humble and simple doer. He respected the nursing profession and gave them full attention by training, motivation and appreciation. He loved explaining, even by drawing. He was a man for details.

His eyes were sharp and could easily detect a defect or anything abnormal that you may not have observed. He took his own records at clinics just for analyse of trends on which to act.

Dr Sorhaindo retired from public medical service in 1993 after twenty-nine (29) years of accomplished service. He then moved into private practice with a continuing strong demand for his services. However as his health showed signs of weakness, he reduced his working days and eventually gave up his practice in 2004.

Bernard was a devoted family man. He would consider himself a jealous husband. Despite his busy schedule, his home was his heart where love and peace reigned. He gave full attention to the care and progress of his children and worked faithfully with Althea to ensure that all was well.

Bernard was a devout Catholic who took an active part in the profession of his faith. He was a true steward of the word, a Lay Associate in Pastoral Care for the parish of St Alphonsus, he was involved in marriage and engagement encounter, also care and choice programmes. He was exemplary in his Christian life and witness.

Bernard loved sports and watched whenever he could with enthusiasm and intensity. He had a great sense of humour which could not be discovered easily. It was sometimes jolting.

Bernard was close to his siblings and wider family. He talked of each one with equal pride and affection. The bond was solid. In friendship, he was loyal, trusting, understanding, appreciative, always helpful, and most sincere.

Bernard bore his illness with strength, confidence and prayer. He bore his suffering without complaint. He was fixed to his MIGHTY ROCK and that was his source of relief.

Bernard, you have fought the good fight, you have kept the faith, and you have finished your task. May our GOOD LORD receive you unto himself.

GOD BE WITH YOU TILL WE MEET AGAIN.

Tribute to Dr. Bernard Sorhaindo

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Volume No. 1 Issue No. 98
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Soufrier-Scottshead sea defenses
Illegals eye USVI
SMA celebrates &% years
The tale of SMA



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