Dr Désirée Tulloch-Reid, consultant physician and rheumatologist. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Désirée Tulloch-Reid knew the profession she chose had to make her feel like she was contributing to her community. Her options were teaching or medicine. "It had to be a profession that was useful, made you feel like you were making a contribution to your community. That attracted me".

After spending one year doing natural sciences, she made the switch to the University of the West Indies medical school. Since then, The Queen's High School graduate has never looked back. "I don't regret it, not for a minute. I enjoy it immensely."

Just over seven weeks ago, Dr Tulloch-Reid returned to Jamaica as one of only two rheumatologists in the island and a specialist in lupus care. Rheumatologists diagnose and treat rheumatic diseases such as arthritis and other painful conditions that affect bones, joints, muscles and tendons. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body's immune response malfunctions and the body starts attacking itself.

"Rheumatology challenges you to think, the detective aspect of it. You never cease to learn. It's exciting to be in the thick of it," notes the enthusiastic young doctor.

Training

Though she has two older brothers who are doctors, her decision to specialise was born during her internship at local clinics. "The increased complexity of patients needed to be managed with some expertise. This spurred me to get speciality training. While doing my residency at Western Pennsylvania Hospital (in the United States of America), I worked with a few Rheumatologists and it really interests me".

Tulloch-Reid has spent the last seven years abroad. She completed her residency in internal medicine at Western Pennsylvania Hospital, two years in adult rheumatology at the University of Toronto and two years completing a fellowship in lupus care at the Centre for Prognosis Studies in Rheumatic diseases in Toronto. She is certified in both internal medicine and rheumatology by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a fellow of the American College of Rheumatology.

Return home

Now that she is home, she intents to be actively involved in training, practising and research. She notes that while there are medications that can combat the crippling effects of various forms of these illnesses, there are many persons living with very painful conditions as rheumatic diseases are under-recognised in Jamaica. No empirical data exists to show how pervasive rheumatic diseases are in the island. However, studies have shown that persons of African descent are more predisposed to these disorders. She plans to be involved in the process of collecting such data.

Dr Tulloch-Reid admits that having two rheumatologists on the island is not enough. To this end, she hopes to be involved in training and raising awareness of rheumatic conditions. She has big plans for her field of speciality as it comes into its own as one of the chronic conditions that needs to be addressed in the island.

For the 34-year-old, there is a lot ahead it will require a delicate balancing act with her personal life. However, she is dedicated and couldn't imagine working anywhere else; "My heart's here," she affirms.

Tulloch-Reid