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This Week We Feature Young Professional Dr. Craig K. Stoutt
He made a bold move not to follow in his father’s footsteps as an educator and decided to blaze his own trail. In light of this determination, 39 year-old Craig Stoutt is now an Anaesthesiologist and Intensivist at the Peebles Hospital.
Virgin Islands News Online sat down with the proud Virgins Islander who loves his country so much that he resisted the tempting offers from other hospitals overseas to give back to his community.
As the Anaesthesiologist and Intensivist, this young professional manages the Intensive Care Unit, evaluates patients in preparation for Anaesthesia, as well as, administers and conducts General Anaesthesia, Neuraxial blocks (spinals and epidurals) or peripheral nerve blocks depending on the type of surgery the patient has to undergo and the co-morbid conditions present.
Reflecting on his career choice, Dr. Stoutt disclosed that he chose Anaesthesiology as a speciality because there was a void to be filled in that area in his homeland.
“We have a number of surgeons and gynaecologists...those areas are saturated with qualified individuals and I also thought that anaesthesia was a niche that needed to be filled. And I must tell you it’s something I have never regretted,” he said. “It is challenging and stimulating. I always made a vow that I will take up a profession that is always evolving and not be bored.”
During his five year tenure at the then BVI High School now Elmore Stoutt High School, Craig shone in the science stream and his hard work earned him the school’s Valedictorian award in 1989.
After completing high school, Dr. Stoutt worked at the Companies Registry for three months before working as a Science Substitute Teacher/Lab Technician at the then BVI High School.
He attended the University of the Virgin Islands and obtained a degree in Biology and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1997. After completing that degree he worked as a Music Teacher at the BVI High School and the Althea Scatliffe Primary for a year.
“Everyone knows my father Elmore Stoutt and I did not want to be in his shadow so I decided to blaze my own trail, and make my own mark.” Dr. Stoutt ventured off to Jamaica and over the next five years he studied for his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. After completing that degree, this week’s young professional interned at the South Eastern Regional Health Authority Group of Hospitals in Jamaica for a year and a half.After years of arduous training and studies, Dr. Stoutt returned home in 2005 where he was appointed as a Medical Officer 1 and Accident and Emergency Doctor at the Pebbles Hospital. Simultaneously, he worked as a General Practitioner at B&F Medical Complex during that year and a half.
But with his mantra “strive for excellence”, the young professional returned to the Mona Campus where he was successful in earning his DM (Doctor of Medicine) in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care. Upon his return to the island in January, Dr. Stoutt took up the post as one of the medical specialists at Peebles Hospital. When his services are required, he also works as the Anaesthetist at the Bougainvillea Clinic.
The young doctor, who has no complaints about his hectic schedule admitted “it can be emotionally stressful”. Since his internship, he has covered an estimated six to nine 24 hour shifts on a monthly basis.
When asked if there was a phase where he wanted to give up, the easy-going 39 year-old replied, “In this field it’s always at the back of everyone’s mind. However, there’s been too much investment to let it fall through the cracks.”
Future wise, Dr. Stoutt is eyeing an MBA and possibly a fellowship in Chronic Pain Management. However, he is just enjoying what he loves best – helping people. So what does he do for fun? Dr. Stoutt laughed and stated he has not gotten into the groove of things as yet.“I was an avid musician before I began my medical studies. I was an organist in the Methodist Church; I was also a member of my father’s fungi band the SparkPlugs and I used to play the trombone in the HLSCC Ensembles. I am hoping to resume those activities when time permits.”
Dr. Stoutt also loves fishing and is an advanced open water scuba diver. He added that while in Jamaica he had taken up drag and circuit racing, “so if it is open up in the BVI I will be all for that”.
Describing himself as a self-motivated Virgin Islander, who wants to see the best for the VI, he has this advice for the young generation.“You need to look at what you can contribute to the VI and work towards that goal. Surround yourself with positive people and stay focused on those goals despite what naysayers would say. Rough times will come but get up, dust yourself off and keep going!”
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