Dr. Wendell Bobb

Dr. Wendell Bobb is a Trinidadian-born medical doctor, board certified in neurology, clinical neurophysiology and sleep medicine. The St George’s College, Barataria alumnus is the chief of clinical neurophysiology at the Washington DC Medical Centre and assistant professor of neurology at the George Washington University School of Medicine. Who would have thought that this is the same individual who was told by a secondary school teacher that he would never become a medical doctor. Today, he is triple certified and an educator, helping and empowering young students. This is his journey from Princes Town to the corridors of the hospitals and classrooms of the universities.
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San Fernando General Hospital is where I made my debut. At seven pounds and some ounces, I came out kicking and screaming (so I’m told). Perhaps like most other babies, I was anticipating life’s challenges ahead. My conscious memory, however, wasn’t born until I was about two or three years old. I remember Princess, our black and tan-colored German Shepherd, rushing up to me on our porch on Gobin Street, Princes Town. Terrified and helpless, I stood there as she towered over me and sniffed around my head but did no harm as my mom ran from behind to chase her away.
We lived not too far from the vast sugar cane fields, parted by the Taska Road where oxen hauled carts of sugar cane to the St Madeleine sugar factory. My dad took me there sometimes and he would cut the cane with a cutlass then tear the tough skin off with his teeth, proudly demonstrating how he did it when he was a child. These were a couple memorable childhood experiences that have stayed with me to this day. I was fortunate to have grown up in a supportive and safe household with my dad, mom and two older sisters. When I was nine years, my dad accepted a position as Pastor in a new church, so we moved up north.
“That will never happen”
I attended St. George’s College in Barataria where I completed my secondary school education. My start there was rocky. Although I performed well in other subjects, I failed Mathematics consistently from Forms 1 through 3. One day in Form 3, my Mathematics teacher went around the class asking each of us what we wanted to become when we grew up. I told him a doctor. Smirking, he announced that would never happen based on my history with Math. But my friend’s mother, Mrs. Phyllis Joseph, who was a lecturer at The UWI, heard about my struggle and took me under her wing. She helped me realise that I was not inherently bad at Mathematics but I did not practise enough problems for me to do well in exams. So with commitment, encouragement, good instruction and faith, I went from floundering to getting a Grade 1 in the Caribbean standardized exam (called CXC at that time) and a Grade A in Add-Maths.
“Distractions and disappointments which had nothing to do with school sometimes became intrusive and overwhelming”
My transition to university life was somewhat challenging, but I felt well prepared, having done the Advanced Level (A-Level) exams. I prioritized getting and maintaining good grades by carving sufficient time to review the same information multiple times before an exam to ensure that it stuck. Despite my best efforts, at times, I didn’t do well. Distractions and disappointments which had nothing to do with school sometimes became intrusive and overwhelming. I grew to realize that these were part of the formula for my overall development. With guidance from therapists, close family and friends, and ultimately my faith in God and belief that I was born for a divine purpose--as I believe we all are—I was able to pull through the tough times when I felt depleted.
“I want to put water in a needle and give it to old people to make them walk better.”
According to my mom, that was my response when I was about three years old and people asked me what I wanted to do when I became an adult. But at one point, I remember also wanting to become a teacher. The intricacy and complexity of the human body fascinated me and I had a passion to help people live their best and healthiest lives. Medicine therefore seemed like the best fit for me as it also involves teaching students and patients.
Neuroanatomy was one of my first classes in medical school. My goal initially was simply to perform well in it since I heard that it was difficult but I became fascinated with the different functions of the brain and nervous system. One side of the brain controls the other side of the body. The brain causes the body to become paralyzed during dream sleep so we don’t get out of bed to act out our dreams. Having the knowledge and ability to diagnose and treat disorders that plague patients in an effort to improve the quality of their lives is rewarding. It can be discouraging, however, when available treatments are inadequate or patients don’t improve despite my best efforts.
“It’s important for me to practise the principle of the serenity prayer”
This is a great field for someone who is passionate about medicine and the functioning of the brain. The highs of this profession are when my patients get better; such as someone with sleep apnea who has been so tired that they are unable to remain alert at work or while driving, and with treatment, they feel like a brand new person. Or a patient with stuttering speech who keeps dropping things, and I’m able to diagnose him as having seizures, treat the seizures, and his condition improves. But there are definitely lows. Medicine is a science as well as an art. Sometimes accurate diagnoses are elusive and optimal treatments uncertain. Patients may have poor outcomes. But I’ve learned that after I’ve given it my best, applied my knowledge and experience to any given case and reached out for additional help as needed, I have limited control of what happens next. It’s important for me to practise the principle of the serenity prayer to remain at peace: God help me to change the things that I can, surrender the things that I can’t and when to know the difference.
“She somehow made the practice of medicine look humanitarian and scientific, yet effortless”
My family and friends were very supportive when I chose this career path. Some gave practical advice to ensure that I knew the pros and cons of becoming a medical doctor. Along this journey, I also had several mentors and coaches to help me in my academic, career, psychological, spiritual, financial, and physical development. I specifically highlight Dr. LaDonna Nelson, a close family friend, who would take me to Port-of-Spain General Hospital to shadow her when I was younger. She somehow made the practice of medicine look humanitarian and scientific, yet effortless. Of course I’ve grown to learn that it’s anything but effortless, though it is rewarding. One time, as I watched her assess an ICU patient, Dr. Nelson told me that medicine can be a thankless and stressful job. I’ve experienced both of those to be true many times, but my family members and friends were there to cheer me on.
In the same way that I had Dr. Nelson and others, I am sure that Trinidad and Tobago has sufficient role models and mentors. It is important to seek and find appropriate professionals who can guide you along your particular journey. As you travel, be relentless in looking for mentors in different areas. If someone doesn’t have the time or isn’t giving you the information you think you need, find someone else.
To that young man who is struggling and indecisive about the future, I want to encourage you to find a career that you will enjoy or are passionate about. It should be a career that could help you a make decent living while doing it. However, if you end up doing something that you may not love because you may not have had the opportunity or finances to do it at that moment, try to save enough capital so you can branch out eventually and do what sets your soul on fire. You should also seek out a career coach. Talk to guidance counselors or teachers. Talk to successful people in different areas. Look at reputable sites on the internet. And last but equally important, ask for divine guidance and trust that you will be led in the right direction.
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Dr. Wendell Bobb graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and then a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Florida State University College of Medicine in 2009. In 2013, he completed a residency in Neurology at the Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC and from 2013-2015, he benefited from two fellowships: in sleep medicine and clinical neurophysiology from Duke University Medical Centre in North Carolina. He currently resides in the USA.
Source: Mentions-Stories About Us, March 2021