SGU Alumni Physicians & Friends Help 1,200+ Grenadian Patients in 2024
Hundreds of Grenadian patients received critical healthcare treatment in 2024 thanks to the volunteerism of St. George’s University alumni physicians and friends.
Hundreds of Grenadian patients received critical healthcare treatment in 2024 thanks to the volunteerism of St. George’s University alumni physicians and friends.
More than 15 visiting physicians—including ophthalmologists, cardiologists, neurologists, endocrinologists, radiologists, orthopedic surgeons, and vascular surgeons—volunteered their time and expertise through the SGU Physician Humanitarian Network (SGU PHuN) with some even making multiple trips this year. They offered critical treatment and services to the people of Grenada. Their patients are unable to receive certain specialized medical care due to a lack of access to specialists and/or the funds to attain these required surgeries.
SGU PHuN continued to make a significant impact on Grenada and its communities in 2024. In total:
- 1,282 patients were seen and/or treated;
- 240 procedures (surgical and outpatient) were performed;
- over $230,000 (USD) worth of supplies and equipment was donated; and
- 7 CME talks conducted; these were attended both in person and virtually by local physicians and other healthcare providers.
Launched in 2008, the program is a joint initiative between SGU’s Office of Institutional Advancement, the Office of Alumni Affairs, and the Office of the Provost that facilitates visits of alumni physicians and other volunteer physicians to Grenada. These medical missions provide much-needed care to the people of Grenada and are in close coordination with the Grenada General Hospital and Grenada’s Ministry of Health.
“SGU-PHuN captures the spirit of the SGU community and its graduates in a very direct way,” according to Brendon LaGrenade, EdD, vice provost for Institutional Advancement and director of Alumni Affairs. “Our physician alumni continue to return to the island to deliver a vast array of voluntary specialty medical care. The value in these programs is not measured in the millions of dollars in donations and services delivered but more so in the lives of the individuals positively impacted.”
Cataract surgery was a top priority for the SGU PHuN this year.
“Due to the pandemic, a lack of specialist equipment and personnel, and high cost, there is a long waiting list for cataract surgery. For this reason, the SGU PHuN set a lofty goal of completing 100 cataract procedures for 2024,” Dr. LaGrenade said. “We are proud to say that we achieved 106 cataract surgeries through the generosity of physicians who traveled here to help the people of Grenada.”
Former SGU-student and New Jersey-based ophthalmologist Dr. Bernard Spier kicked off the cataract mission in February, performing 38 surgeries. In October, a collaborative ophthalmology mission spearheaded by Dr. Mary Ratchford with Vision Health International, performed 68 surgeries.
According to Dr. Spier, he chose to donate his time and skills to the Grenadian people because it is “a basic act of human kindness.”
“I have a special place in my heart for Grenada because that’s where I got my start in medicine,” said Dr. Spier. “Grenada gave me an opportunity to become a doctor. If I hadn’t gone to Grenada, I would’ve done something else [besides medicine].”
(Left to right) Dr. Throl Mason, Dr. Bernard Spier, TracyAnn Frederick, Dr. Brendon La Grenade, and Dr. Zachary Mendelson during an ophthalmology clinic in March 2024.
Other ophthalmologists who also donated their services this year included:
- Roger Turbin (oculoplastic/neuro-ophthalmologist)
- Fred Lambrou (retina and diabetic eye program)
- Michael Gray (pediatric ophthalmologist)
Visiting physicians—including ophthalmologists, cardiologists, neurologists, endocrinologists, radiologists, orthopedic surgeons, and vascular surgeons—volunteered their time through SGU PHuN.
SGU-PHuN also had visits from the following physician specialists in 2024:
Cardiology
- Anthony Tramontano, MD ’99
- Amita Dharawat, MD ’06
- Vineet Dua, MD ’96
- Tara Jarreau, MD ’06
- Pravin Patil, MD ’04
- Jason Finkelstein, MD ’99 (interventional cardiologist)
Neurology
- Richard Mikilitus, MD ’90
Endocrinology
- Dwight Matthias, MD ’92
Radiology
- Randy Becker, MD ’00
Orthopedic Surgery
- Dr. Karl Blum, former SGU student
Vascular Access
- Dr. Christian Rodriguez
“Thank you to all who contributed to this very important mission,” Dr. La Grenade said. “We look forward to making an even bigger impact in 2025.”
SGU alumni who are interested in returning to Grenada to participate in the SGU PHuN program should contact aa-som@sgu.edu.
— Laurie Chartorynsky
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