Cayman can justifiably boast a world-class healthcare service, particularly when one considers its size and population. According to the latest figures from the Economics and Statistics Office, we are fortunate to have over 2,000 registered healthcare professionals in public and private employment across the Islands, working in facilities that include hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories, physician practices and therapy clinics.
Dr Alison Beadsworth
Dr Alison Beadsworth MBBS FRCEM UK is an Emergency Medicine Consultant at Doctor’s Hospital.
Why did you choose your field of speciality?
You have to be versatile and think on your feet. The skills you acquire as an emergency physician make it easy to work in a variety of locations, so it really is the specialty of adventure. The TV show ‘ER’ definitely had an influence on me choosing emergency medicine - I wanted to be Dr Susan...and marry Dr Doug Ross!
Who or what inspired you to become a doctor?
As a child, I remember reading about the Khmer Rouge massacres in Cambodia, and seeing the images of the Ethiopian famine in 1984. I think both events sparked a desire in me to pursue a career in medicine and use my skills in humanitarian disasters. However, my path to medicine wasn’t straightforward as I didn’t get the required grades, and I ended up doing a Law degree initially.
Which doctor or medical professional on-Island would you recommend for a ‘Golden Stethoscope Award’ and why?
My colleague and friend Dr Grant Rogers. He is a great doctor with a wealth of experience. He and his wife Wendy have been instrumental in helping me settle in to work and life in Cayman.
What do you do to relax during time off from work?
My favourite pastime is spending time with my family and friends, preferably with a cold glass of champagne or cup of good coffee. I love the outdoor lifestyle of Cayman and I swim, cycle and play pickleball as often as work allows. If I’m feeling less energetic, I love the monthly culture showings of theatre and opera at the cinema in Camana Bay.
Dr Binoy Chattuparambil
Dr Binoy Chattuparambil is a senior Cardiovascular & Thoracic surgeon at Health City Cayman Islands with over 25 years of experience.
Why did you choose your field of speciality?
Ever since I was a little boy, I had an innate curiosity about opening the heart, and saving lives through touching the hearts of patients, literally and metaphorically!
What qualities do you think are most important in a good doctor?
You have to love the profession and be passionate in your work. There is no point in doing it for the wealth, the accolades or the prestige. At the end of the day your abilities as a doctor depend on your love for the game. Once you have that passion, everything else will fall into place.
Which doctor or medical professional on-Island would you recommend for a ‘Golden Stethoscope Award’ and why?
I would recommend the award go to the recently retired Dr Sook Yin, for her pioneering efforts towards the development of healthcare in Cayman, her unwavering passion for the profession, and dedication and commitment to her patients.
Which actor would you choose to play you in a film about your life?
My daughter has been consistently pointing out physical similarities between me and Jeremy Strong, who plays Kendall Roy in the TV show Succession.
What excites you about medicine in general?
Last year when I was back home in India, visiting our hospital in Bangalore, a lady came running to me with her teenage son, and informed me that I had operated on him as a baby! The love and gratitude they expressed rendered me emotional and speechless. I live for these moments, and those birthday photos and videos that I receive from the parents of the babies that I have operated on.
Dr Jemma Facenfield
Dr Jemma Facenfield, recently joined the team at 7Dental as their paediatric dentist.
What qualities do you think are most important in a good dentist?
You need to be kind, caring and empathetic, and if practising paediatric dentistry then a good sense of humour and a love of Disney and Marvel is a must!
What are the most common issues you see in your clinic?
Early childhood caries (tooth decay) and rampant caries in older children, usually from high sugar diets or infrequent brushing.
What excites you about dentistry in general?
Dentistry is forever evolving and the gold standard of treatment is so different from 5 years ago. I love that it’s a constant learning curve and you can always learn new techniques to help improve patient care.
How do you handle a patient/relative challenging your professional opinion with the information they found online?
I’m always happy to chat through different options or treatment modalities with parents as I find it interesting. Being a parent myself, I’m guilty of looking up diagnoses and treatments for minor illnesses. I know parents have their child’s best interest at heart and I will always look at the evidence of any research they present. All my treatments are chosen on evidence-based practices, the gold standard for treatment at that moment in time and recommendations from national and international paediatric dentistry committees, and most importantly, on what is in the best interest of the child.
Which dentist on-Island would you recommend for a ‘Golden Stethoscope Award’ and why?
Dr Scott McFarlane. The surgery he has created at 7DentalKids is amazing and really encompasses everything a child-centred practice should be. Plus, his cosmetic work is flawless.
Dr Shannon Seymour
Dr Shannon Seymour, PhD is a Clinical Psychologist with over 25 years of clinical experience
What are the challenges you have faced during your career and how have you overcome them?
The stigma of mental health care has always been a challenge we face. It is certainly less now, but we continue to encounter misinformation and misconceptions about mental health and treatment of mental health problems.
What do you enjoy the most about working in Cayman?
I love the close-knit community. It’s really easy to collaborate or consult across disciplines because we are small.
How do you think we can improve the lives of children and adolescents in Cayman?
By building more community parks and playgrounds where kids can gather and play freely, without parental oversight. When kids gather and play independently they are learning critical emotional regulation, problem solving and social skills, which form the foundation of good mental health.
What are your main concerns about the increased use of technology/devices amongst children and adolescents?
I don’t have enough space to discuss this! I am very worried about the isolation that technology and in particular social media creates. When we increase connection in the virtual world, it usually comes at the expense of connection in the real world.
In your opinion what makes young people feel burnt out and unmotivated?
Cayman is highly focused on academic success. Many young people feel incredible pressure to perform. When a B+ is considered average we are going to see children and teens overwhelmed.
Which book would you recommend for parents who want to help their children thrive?
I think every parent today should read ‘The Anxious Generation' by Jonathon Haidt. He provides a compelling link between smartphones, social media and mental health problems in adolescents.
