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“I am a born and bred Tobago paediatrician who has a passion for all-round/holistic childcare. My parents exemplified service and humanity. My late dad was an operations manager who assured the customer was a satisfied one…,” says Dr Renee Alfred, general paediatrician and childcare specialist.
“My mother was a registered nurse, a district health visitor in the community, and a midwife, and as a result, I was always engrossed in the medical field from hospital care to community service. She inspired me to pursue a medical career, while dad’s career, how to serve.”
Dr Alfred explained her undying passion for children.
“Children are the best humans on earth. They manifest the best aspects of our species and they are kind and honest—innocent, with a superpower/ability to discern genuine character. Those are some of my favourite things about them.”
Dr Alfred gained her medical qualifications at UWI’s St Augustine campus.
“A long rigorous training course to satisfy both local and foreign expert examiners, but it is worth it because not only does it strengthen your academic skills, but your practical, time-management, administrative and leadership skills. Mastering these attributes augurs well for being a good doctor in all facets of the profession.”
With “a keen eye to specialise in neonatology and cardiology,” her “first loves,” she’s currently pursuing her Masters in neonatology and aspires to learn about eco-cardiology so she can administer her own eco-cardiographs one day.
“There is need, and it’s very important to have a general background, so I always try to avail myself of all things that are necessary to give 360-degree holistic care to the child,” she said of this aspiration.
Dr Alfred said she’s the mother of a very fiery six-year-old princess who is the best gift from God and she’s truly thankful.
Echoing the late great Whitney Houston, she advocates that “children are the future” and they should be taught well to be able to admirably “lead the way.” She said it’s necessary to “show them all the beauty they possess inside” and how to “learn to love themself” because it’s indeed, “the greatest gift of all.”
“My love language is acts of service. I genuinely love humanity and children are the absolute best part of us. They show us who we should be. My compass is to love, serve, help and educate. I think children can feel that. They can detect if you are genuine or not. We have to love them; listen to them; honestly want to help them; hear what their parents have to say or are saying, and try to appease situations, whether it’s by counselling or by instituting medicines. You must have a genuine heart!”
Specifically regarding parents, she said, “They are key components.”
She said similar to a parent-teacher relationship when a child is at school, there’s the parent-doctor relationship. If parents become frustrated or do not quite understand what’s happening regarding their child’s management, or some things that are very subtle that’s bothering them, she said they should try their best and seek a professional that their gut tells them will take good care of their child.
“I believe God has uniquely positioned me as a paediatrician. My brand of medicine/care deals with the same theme of love, genuine care and all-roundedness ... Integrity also resides at the core of my soul,” she said.
“I’m a firm believer that children cannot be truly healed without parents being knowledgeable and empowered – become better at what they do all-round to raise wholesome children, whether biologically or otherwise. I felt compelled to do something.”
Dr Alfred has also embarked upon an initiative called In the Know, which sees knowledge and experiences shared with a view to uplifting and motivating people.
“As a mother myself, I feel there’s so much I want to know and need to know, even outside the remit of a paediatrician’s office. In the Know gives me the latitude to engage with other professionals and share experiences with parents and guardians so that they too can be in the know to be able to give their best to their child.”
Aside from her care and compassion for children, Dr Alfred’s heavily involved in the performing arts, loves nature and plays a lot.
“I am a big kid at heart. I love jumping on trampolines in bouncy castles. It reminds me of my childhood days. I’m Virgo, love pink and an unapologetic foodie.”
At age five, she participated in her first calypso competition. She sings gospel and contemporary and takes part in calypso competitions. Dance, acting and storytelling are also within Dr Alfred’s arts coffer.
“They provide balance,” she beamed.
Fashion and interior design also decorate her creative plate.
“I thoroughly love the freedom that nature and creativity bring, which help me work more peacefully and centred.”
But her concern for children is always paramount, as Dr Alfred said she also loves reading to children.
It is safe to say therefore, that there is no end to Dr Alfred’s dynamic and versatile stage.