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Joseph Henry Pierre was born on October 28th 1904. He attended
Queen’s Royal College and then entered St. Bartholomew’s
Hospital, London to study medicine in 1925. He qualified in 1932
and was a junior medical officer at the hospital for one year
before returning to Trinidad.
He served in a variety of posts in the medical service of
Trinidad and returned to the UK on study leave in 1938. He
became the second Trinidadian to obtain the Fellowship of the
Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1939.
On his return he worked at San Fernando General Hospital. There
was no specialist surgeon on staff, so he performed many types
of surgery including of the abdomen, breast and thyroid. In his
career he also performed surgery of the brain, eye and
ear-nose-and-throat. His surgical techniques were legendary: his
incisions were delicate and accurate; difficult operations were
made simple; and his techniques were considered the best
teaching methods for his surgical assistants.
After his transfer to Port of Spain General Hospital, patients
in San Fernando journeyed northward to be attended to by “Dr.
Pierre”, for such was his reputation. For many years, he was the
only surgeon operating on tuberculosis patients and he was
credited for initiating lung surgery at Caura Chest Hospital,
where he was appointed thoracic surgeon. He was also the surgeon
of choice for operating on American servicemen at the
Chaguaramas naval base, where he volunteered his services.
Sir Henry was a gentleman par excellence. He broke many social
barriers on the American bases and in the oilfields, sugar
estates and social clubs by his charisma and genuine nature. He
was also active in the Trinidad Medical Society and the Red
Cross Society, which he served as President. With his wife, he
participated in the Horticultural Society’s flower shows and won
several prizes. He also enjoyed photography, tennis, golf and
yachting.
After retiring from the medical service in 1958, he continued an
active private practice. In 1972, he eventually settled into
retirement in England. In 1974, he was bestowed the Chaconia
Medal (Gold) for his outstanding contribution to his homeland.
Sir Henry passed away in 1984.
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