US-based Guyana-born internal medicine specialist, Dr. Shamsundar Ramrattan is a ‘Special Person’

Aug 07, 2022 News, Special Person

“Coming from a humble background with limited resources and opportunities made me strong and ambitious with faith in myself that hard work can achieve anything.”

By Rehanna Ramsay

Kaieteur News – Losing his father at the age of 10 to a preventable medical condition is what led California-based Guyana-born internal medicine specialist, Dr. Shamsundar Ramrattan down the path of helping to save lives – which has morphed into a successful career already spanning over three decades.

In fact, Dr. Ramrattan says that this remains among the key motivating factors behind many achievements as a medical specialist. Dr. Ramrattan currently serves as an attending physician with the US-based High Desert Multispecialty Medical Group, where he has worked for the past 15 years.

US-based Internal Medicine Specialist, Dr. Shamsundar Ramrattan and his beloved mother, Pauline

Locally, Dr. Ramrattan treats hundreds of patients annually as part of the Guyana Watch Medical Outreach team that visits these shores yearly to offer health services to the public free-of-cost.

He revealed that he spends a considerable amount of time, examining and treating his patients to the best of his knowledge and capability, and is always optimistic that he could find solutions to make them lead healthier and better lives.

This week’s ‘Special Person’ holds several awards and credentials in medicine.

His training includes a medical school stint at the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery; an internship at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Rutgers, New Brunswick, New Jersey, and residencies at Princeton Medical Center, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, and Eric Chandler Medical Center for HIV and Infectious Diseases.

Prior to having a full-time career in medicine, Dr. Ramrattan also served in the United States Naval Force where he copped several coveted prizes and awards including the Honourable Discharge US Navy Good Conduct Award; US Navy Sea Service Award; the US Navy Antarctic Expedition Award; the National Science Foundation and the US Navy Humanitarian Award for his work with the Guyana Watch Medical Outreach.

And though he is recognised for his exemplary service in medicine, Dr. Ramrattan remains humbled at the opportunities he has been given to serve. Through his efforts, Dr. Ramrattan said that he has learned some of the most valuable lessons in life.

He calls himself fortunate to have “the knowledge, perseverance, and experience that allowed me to serve the poor, the elderly, and the unfortunate souls with God’s guidance.”

Dr. Ramrattan comes from very humble beginnings but he has been ambitious about his career decisions. Outside of his work, Dr. Ramrattan is a devoted husband of 25 years to his wonderful wife Sarah and a loving father to their three sons – Sanjay, Navin and Rohan.

He revealed his next project is to oversee the rollout of telemedicine services in the Caribbean, – beginning with his home country –Guyana.

HONOURABLE PURSUIT

Dr. Ramrattan related that he grew up in Georgetown, Guyana – as the last of nine children for his mother, Pauline, whom he describes as his pillar of strength and the other reason for his honourable pursuit as a medical specialist.

Honour: A younger Dr. Shamsundar Ramrattan is presented with an award for service by a US navy officer.

Dr. Ramrattan related, “My mother was a homemaker and seamstress, my father [Rattan Ram] a carpenter who transitioned when I was 10 years old. It was a struggle with my father passing unexpectedly leaving my mother to raise the family single-handedly.”

He noted his mother is a very proud, industrious soul who did everything she could to keep the family together.

Dr. Ramrattan recalled, “[She] sewed late at nights making children’s clothing that she then sold to merchants at a much-reduced price – whatever it took to keep us fed, clothed, housed, and schooled. My older siblings too would sacrifice their schooling and dreams to help support the family via odd jobs. Due to all [my mother’s] sacrifice, we were able to transition to the US where more opportunities were available.”

The internal medicine specialist credited his Guyanese upbringing with the strong and ambitious drive for success. He said, “Coming from a humble background with limited resources and opportunities made me strong and ambitious with faith in myself that hard work can achieve anything.”

A proud moment: Dr. Shamsundar Ramrattan stands alongside his mother after she joined him in receiving his certificate at his medical school graduation

Dr. Ramrattan said that growing up in Guyana taught him the value of community and teamwork. “Growing in a small community where everyone knew each other we developed strong bonds…We took care of each other and we shared with those who had little or were unfortunate.”

These experiences led Dr. Ramrattan to join the US Navy when he was 17 years old. He said: “It was difficult to pay for my education, I wanted to help my mother out as well as to achieve my own goals and opportunity for a better life.”

Dr. Ramrattan recalled that to support her family in the US, his mom worked as a live-in maid for two physicians.

“…We saw little of her. I would help her to clean the medical offices after school and she expressed the wish that one of her children would become a doctor one day. I told her that we aren’t rich and that therefore I would serve in the military to get my education and see what opportunities I can work my way up to,” he said.

In his first year in the military, the then aspirant doctor was stationed in the Indian Ocean where he took part-time courses towards his Bachelor’s degree with the University of Maryland.

In addition, he attended several of the Navy’s training schools for Crash and Rescue.

“It was a great opportunity and an honour to serve the United States Naval Force and also be able to pay for my education,” Dr. Ramrattan said, adding that when he graduated from Medical School it was a special full circle moment.

“I had her join me in receiving my diploma in her honour and fulfillment of her wish,” he said.

Next, Dr. Ramrattan completed his med-school training, internship, and residences. After training, his first position as an attending physician was with Kaiser Permanent of Southern California, where he worked for many years with his office practice during the day coordinating urgent care after hours.

GUYANA WATCH TEAM

Throughout his career, Dr. Ramrattan has strived to make medical services available to people from all walks of life – his focus has particularly been those who cannot afford or easily access those services.

Our ‘Special Person’ returns to Guyana regularly to offer his services to the land of his birth through the Guyana Watch Medical Outreach programme

To this end, he started to serve as part of the overseas outreach with the Guyana Watch Medical team, after the flood of 1996, offering services to help the poor, elderly, and underserved.

Many Guyanese patients, young and old, have benefited from Dr. Ramrattan’s services.

He has treated persons suffering from common illnesses such as high blood pressure and rashes as well as patients with chronic illnesses, particularly diabetes. All of the patients are treated free of charge by the team that is sponsored by US-based Guyanese businessman, Tony Yassin.

Since the 1990s, Dr. Ramrattan returned annually for many years to help with local health crises, travelling to remote areas via bus or boat to access the needy, including identifying children needing advanced treatment such as heart surgeries that were coordinated by the Guyana Watch Medical team in the USA.

Family: Dr. Shamsundar Ramrattan (standing) third from left is pictured with his mother and eight siblings

While the Guyana Watch Team was able to intervene in several cases with early detection, education, and prevention, Dr. Ramrattan said that Guyana’s medical sector lacks access, to early prevention and detection due to limited resources. He hopes to do his part to help with the advancement of the local health sector.

TELEMEDICINE

Dr. Shamsundar Ramrattan is pictured in protective gear during COVID-19 runs at a Los Angeles Hospital

At this stage of his career, he is focused on introducing a new type of medical service to Guyana called telemedicine.

The specialist has been employed as an attending physician with High Desert Multispecialty Medical Group for over 15 years.

He explained that the group helps to coordinate urgent care and telemedicine serving very large communities. Dr. Ramrattan is looking to implement the delivery of a transparent, responsible method of equitable health care via technology in Guyana.

The mission of this new venture, according to Dr. Ramrattan, is to be the primary Caribbean site for wellbeing and continuation of care, starting in Guyana.

He said, “We will use technology to deliver seamless health care services from doctor to diagnosis to medication and Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM).”

Dr. Ramrattan already devotes some of his spare time to pro bono remote community work via telemedicine.

But since he subscribes to the notion that ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’, he said, “I balance myself by playing tennis, gardening, family trips, watching movies, and listening to music to relieve stress.”

As for his greatest achievement in life, Dr. Ramrattan said it is to truly know my inner self and have that spiritual awakening guide me in reaching my full potential on this journey.

And when it comes to offering advice to young physicians, Dr. Ramrattan urges them “to be open-minded, listen and be compassionate.”