A tribute to Mr. A. Cecil Cyrus – Surgeon Extraordinaire

by Dr Abdon DaSilva
Regency Park, Christ Church, Barbados

I first met Mr Cyrus in 1973 when I chose to do my three-month Elective Clerkship at the General Hospital, Kingstown, during my final year in medical school.

Prior to my own university pursuit, I recall his periodic photograph dominating the front page of the weekly Vincentian Newspaper and headlining his most recent academic achievement on each such occasion.

Following my graduation in 1974, we kept in touch on the infrequent return visits to my land of birth, and more so, in recent years through his close relationship with my sister Diane.

I was not the only final year student to have benefited from his tutelage then, since accompanying me were Carl Regisford for the entire period, with Selwyn Rocke from Trinidad and Shirley Robertson doing shorter stints.

Mr Cyrus had an unfathomable impact on several other medical students, including Hughes Dougan and Leon Dick (of Jamaica), at the academic as well as at a personal level. The fact that Hughes followed in his footsteps as a general surgeon, Leon – a general and vascular surgeon, and Carl – an orthopaedic surgeon, is to my mind a reflection of his mentorship.

On hearing of his passing, I recalled vivid memories of the dynamic, lively conversations, discussions, and even arguments we had then.

As I struggle to find the words to express my grief, sadness and profound gratitude to Mr Cyrus, I would like to share this excerpt from Charles Dickens’ masterpiece “Bleak House” that provides insight into his remarkable life, albeit through the eyes of its heroine, and, I do believe, those of his beloved wife Kathryn.

“I never walk out with my husband, but I hear the people bless him, I never go into a house of any degree, but I hear his praises, or see them in grateful eyes. I never lie down at night, but I know that in the course of that day he has alleviated pain, and soothed some fellow creature in the time of need.

I know that from the beds of those who were past recovery, thanks have often, often gone up, in the last hour, for his patient ministration. Is not this to be rich? The people even praise Me as the doctor’s wife.”

We will all miss you, Mr Cyrus. We are all grateful for your mentorship, your time, your scholarship and your dedication to the medical profession.

I would like to wish comfort and extend my deepest sympathies to the entire Cyrus family at this difficult time.