By Dillon Goring
THERE are people who are very passionate when it comes to their careers and what they do for a living. Dr. John Anderson, who developed a passion for caring for people ever since he was a child, can be considered one of those passionate people.

This brilliant young man, who is a medical doctor at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), also began his career at the said institution.
During an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, Dr. Anderson revealed that the journey to becoming a doctor began as young as 10 years old when he would dress the wounds of neighbours and relatives who had sustained injuries and render aid to those who were ill.
After completing his secondary school education at St. Joseph High School and President’s College, John wanted to become a doctor but specialised in a field that did not have many people – pathology to be specific.

“Upon entering the University at age 17, I wanted to become a pathologist; however, my father wisely advised me to pursue an Associate of Science Degree in Pharmacy. I was successful and completed my Associate Degree by the age of 20 in 2000. I practised as a pharmacist for the next nine years, including at the GPHC Pharmacy,” Dr. Anderson told the Pepperpot Magazine.
During that time, Dr. Anderson recalled that he began lecturing Pharmacy at the Georgetown School of Nursing.
Additionally, Dr. Anderson held the position of Associate Professor in the Doctor of Medicine Programme at the Georgetown American University and was the Chairman of the admissions committee at the same institution.

Dr. Anderson shared that in 2009, he began reading for his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), which he successfully completed in 2014. He then began an internship at GPHC and has been working in the Department of Internal Medicine since.
He noted that during his stint in the Department of Internal Medicine, he was privileged to work with some of the greats in Internal Medicine Consultancy. Those included Dr. Ramsundar Doobay, Dr. Myra Izquierdo Duenas, and Dr. Joanna Cole.

“[This opportunity] cemented my love for the discipline. I worked in the medical wards at GPHC until 2020, when, in an attempt to refine my practice, I shifted my focus to outpatient Internal Medicine at the GPHC Medical Clinic, where I currently work,” Dr. Anderson told the Pepperpot Magazine.
At the medical clinic, Dr. Anderson manages patients with chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, rheumatological diseases, autoimmune diseases, etc. He noted that GPHC is the national referral hospital, which, according to him, exposes him to a wide variety of patient categories, and is important for making a well-rounded Specialist Doctor. Dr. Anderson’s main motivation for coming to work daily is his patients; he is cognisant that he is making a difference in their lives.

According to Dr. Anderson, the medical clinic setting allows him to reach the patient one-on-one, thus facilitating a human exchange between doctor and patient. He noted that this fits well into his personality, where those virtues he holds sacred could be demonstrated to his patients. In his experience, he has found that talking with and listening to the patient as a human being encourages an improved patient approach to medical guidance.
According to Anderson, in 2020, the responsibilities above were relinquished to focus fully on pursuing the Specialist path with a Master’s Degree in Internal Medicine, which he successfully completed at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.

“One of my most cherished experiences is that of a young patient, 15 years old at the time, who was seen by me as a first-time patient at the Medical Clinic. Her mother explained that the patient had been seeking private medical attention over the preceding two years and had been diagnosed with many diseases without resolution of her symptoms. However, after evaluation, I diagnosed her with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and began treatment. She is still a member of the Medical Clinic and is fondly referred to by the nurses as my ‘daughter’,” Anderson told Pepperpot.

Though his interest will always be General Internal Medicine, Dr Anderson explained that he has a passion for hypertension and stroke. “Hypertension and its complications are a major problem both globally and locally, placing a significant burden on all health systems. Consequently, I intend on pursuing postgraduate training in this area of Internal Medicine so that I can be of even greater benefit to Guyanese,” he said. “Through my healthcare company, The Centre For Healthcare Excellence Inc. I plan to have dedicated clinics dealing with hypertension and stroke patients since I have had tremendous success managing them over my years of medical practice.”