Page 18 - LDBD Magazine - Issue 22 - Jan Feb Mar 2018

LDBD in every issue ◊ Medical Spotlight

Dr. Veona Robert-Gibbs

From the small village of Paradise, St. Andrew’s to emergency
rooms of major hospitals in the U.S.: I am an Emergency Medicine
Physician making critical decisions every day that affect the lives
of the people who come through the doors of the ER. Never in my
wildest dreams did I think this was going to be my life.

I attended St. Andrew’s Anglican Secondary School, and it was
there that the subject of Biology sparked my interest in the
anatomy and physiology of the human body. Although the
thought of studying medicine was not a career choice I had
contemplated in my high school years, Biology quickly became
one of my favorite subjects. I migrated to the U.S. shortly after
graduation and started my college education. Deciding on a major
was not dif icult. However, to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree
in Biology, I had to take Calculus I and II. This meant overcoming
my fear of Mathematics. Math was not one of my strong areas and
I could not have gotten through it without constant studying/
practicing, corroboration from my family, and the assistance of
math tutors at the college.
During my junior year of college I had to decide what direction
I wanted the rest of my life to take, and that was not an easy
decision. I thought about medical school, but I questioned myself:
Would I be able to handle the challenges that come with studying
medicine? Upon deep soul searching and prayers I decided to
step-up to the challenge and apply to medical school. My years of medical school brought out determina-
tion and strength I never thought I possessed. The courses, frequent exams and constant studying
became, at times, overwhelming and there were times I wanted to “call it quits.” I felt like I had no life
outside of the books. I was missing out on many events and family trips, but praise God I remained on
the path and overcame. Four years later my hard work paid off and I graduated from Downstate Medical
School with my Doctorate in Medicine. Following graduation I did my residency training in the very
competitive ield of Emergency Medicine, and for the past six years I’ve worked in several hospitals as
an Emergency Medicine Physician saving lives. I love what I do and would not trade it for anything. I can
truly say that without my faith in God and awe-inspiring support from family and friends, I would not
be where I am today.

I decided to tell my story in the hope that it will motivate others to always
believe in themselves—never thinking anything is impossible. Life may throw
many obstacles in your path. Just remember: with God, anything is possible.

I am Dr. Robert-Gibbs
&
#IamGrenadian

18 | Jan Feb Mar 2018 LIVING Day By Day •Net