-Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
Dr. Robert Parchment was recently given an award by the Medical Association of Jamaica for his significant contribution in the field of medicine.
avia Ustanny, Outlook Writer
WAKING UP in the morning for cardio and aerobic exercise, Dr. Robert Parchment lives what he preaches to his patients every day.
Forty years into his career as a medical doctor, the choice of family medicine is one that he has never regretted. In May of this year, he was awarded by the Medical Association of Jamaica for his contribution to the profession locally.
"It was a good feeling. It is a really wonderful feeling to be honoured by your peers and colleagues, " the doctor told Outlook in a recent interview.
Dr. Parchment was born in Kingston in 1939 the first born of Steve and Constance Parchment. He began his education at the Suthermere Preparatory School in Kingston between 1943 and 1950 where he won a full scholarship to Kingston College.
His family wanted him to attend Jamaica College, so it was this school which he chose to go to between 1956 and 1957. His sixth form education was completed at St. George's College where he represented the school in cricket competitions. He remains a passionate lover of this sport.
Wanting to become a family doctor, a professional who he says has a more interesting career than those who chose the specialisation track, he went to the United Kingdom where he graduated M.B.Ch.B with ease from the University of Edinburgh in 1965.
"Others came back with a wife. I did, not," says Dr. Parchment. His father had asked him one favour before he left.
It was "play hard and work hard, but I beg you, do not get married until you get your degree. I have made provisions for you, but not for you and a wife."
Internship, residency
Obediently, Robert Parchment returned to Jamaica alone in 1966 to do his internship and residency at KPH and Children's Hospitals between this time and 1968. Since then, he has practised Family Medicine with special interests in Preventive Medicine, Diabetes and Integrative Medicine.
He married twice, once in 1968 and then in 1980. He is the father of four boys.
Dr. Parchment joined the Association of General Practitioners of Jamaica (AGPJ) in 1981, leading that body from 1991-1993. He was a charter member of the AGPJ and the Caribbean College of Family Physicians, working assiduously in positioning these organisations in Jamaica and the Region.
His citation from the Medical Association of Jamaica notes that Dr. Parchment has been an outstanding member of the Medical Association of Jamaica, rising to the post of Second Vice-President between 1995 and 1997. Since 1988, he has been a United Nations Physician also.
Commitment
Dr. Parchment is known for his deep commitment to community service and has served in various church clinics islandwide. His passion for the betterment of the poor and needy has led him to work with Father Holung and the Brothers of Missionaries of the Poor.
The medical doctor has also found time to work at the University Health Centre of the University of the West Indies as a medical officer on a part-time basis since 2003.
Dr. Robert Parchment was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Diabetes Association of Jamaica, a non-governmental organisation, between 1988 and 1991. For five years beginning 1991, he served as a member of the Health Committee and the Technical Evaluation Panel of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ). He was also Charter President of the Rotary Club of St. Andrew North from 1987 to 1988 where he rose to the position of District Governor's Representative, Jamaica East II from 1994 to 1995.
"I believe that I got great satisfaction from the leadership roles," Dr. Parchment says.
"I am the sort of person who cannot sit back and watch things not being done properly. At the General Practitioners' Association's, the attendance used to be very poor when I took over as president. My aim was to lift attendance and also increase the associations sponsorship from drug companies. As an association we also needed a united front in dealing with the insurance companies."
In his term, he managed to achieve these goals, admitting, "I think I am a bit of an autocrat."
But, the GP says that he gets real pleasure from serving, more so now than even earlier his career. What has made the difference, he insists, was his commitment to Christianity 25 years ago. "Now I have a totally different way of looking at life.
Even his love of horse racing was surrendered to his new way of life ( he was once an official handicapper at the race tracks). One of his working philosophies is: "A good name is better to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold." (Proverbs 22:1).
Happily married to Patricia with four sons Stephen, Michael, Mark and David Dr. Parchment says that his Christian commitment has also made a difference in his personal relationship.
Former pastor and friend, Bishop Peter Morgan told Outlook, "Bob is a very disciplined man. I would say he is very disciplined and this has run through every facet of his life. He is also very morally conscious and a man of moral integrity. That was true of him professionally and in his whole life. I knew him from the beginning of his spiritual journey.
"Twenty-five years ago he really made a very strong commitment to the Lord and it created a strong change in his life. His devotion to God is very strong and also his devotion to his family, his wife and his sons"
Patricia Parchment resides in Fort Lauderdale, but the couple remain extremely close. Dr. Robert Parchment says that he prides himself in having a good marriage.
Perfect match
According to Bishop Peter Morgan, the couple are perfect for each other. "She (Patricia) is more outgoing and charismatic. Bob is more reserved but more rational, very wise but equally passionate and he is a very compassionate person too. He has learnt how to relate his own medical professional skills to his spiritual life. Although Robert Parchment is a very traditional medical doctor he has been open to a lot of things, renewed interests in natural medicine, he really is a very modern in his approach to everything."
In some things the medical doctor remains a traditionalist, however.
Dr. Robert Parchment told Outlook, "A lot of female patients say, doctor, next year I will be 29 or 30 and I have no children. I have decided to have a child next year." When I ask them if they are getting married, they say no. Then I ask them if they had a boy, what they would do with him when he is at high school level." You cannot manage a boy at that point in his life.
"I see they have the babies and they are happy for a while. But later, it is pure grief. The boys need the father figure, especially in an unstable society."
Preaching nothing that is different from his own personal convictions and the way he lives, Robert Parchment plans on continuing to pursue his personal and professional goals without changing.
