Dr. Gaymes excels in Medicine

by Oscar Ramjeet

A Vincentian born professor of pediatrics and cardiology has been excelling in the world of Medicine and is making the Caribbean region proud.{{more}}

The American Board of Cardiology (ABC) has named Dr. Charles H. Gaymes, professor of pediatrics, Master Physician of the ABC.

The award recognizes physicians who, through continued excellence, background and highest ethical practice, have been designed to have earned the highest recognition for its achievement by the ABC. The ABC programme promotes and supports recognition of the importance of excellence in cardiology and excellence of humanitarian, ethical and religious achievement.

Professor Gaymes for the past decade has been doing an excellent job in saving lives of babies in Mississipi and also in the Caribbean. He is involved in a partnership with other speciailists in leading pediatric hospitals in Mississippi in working towards assisting children with heart ailments.

The Vincentian specialist, who is based in Mississippi, travelled to Guyana in April 2007 where he performed cardiac surgeries on nine children and save their lives.His trip was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Guyana Government, two benevolent paediatric cardiologists from the University of Mississippi Medical Centre, the Caribbean Heart Institute and the GPHC.

He also did voluntary work in Trinidad and Tobago.

The 58-year-old peditrician/cardiologist has a brillant academic career. At the age of 11 he won a scholarship to attend the St. Vincent Grammar school, and six years later he won the Island Scholarship and studied medicine at the University of the West Indies and later specialised in paediatrics and cardiology.

Before pursuing studies, Dr. Gaymes taught briefly at his alma mater, the St. Vincent Grammar School, and among his students was Director of Public Prosecutions Colin Williams.

Eight years ago, the kind hearted Vincentian sponsored a Vincentian student to attend secondary school for five years.

He comes from a well known family. His siblings include Daniel Gaymes of Gaymes Pharmacy, Denis Gaymes of Gaymes Bookstore, Elmo Gaymes, a well known teacher, senior nurse Esther Carmichael, and Mourine De Freitas-Ramjeet.