By Helen Grenade
Dedicated, inspiring, innovative, compassionate, pleasant, patient, understanding, unique, articulate, competent, knowledgeable, great guy, terrific doctor, and effective, that’s who doctor John Layne is.
We must never underestimate the role played by doctors in our society, they care for the sick, the wounded, the ill. Today I want to bring attention to one of such influential and prominent Grenadian doctor, his name is John Layne, the brother of Cancer specialist, Doctor Trevor Layne, and top Electrical engineer, Lawrence
Layne.
He is bringing about dramatic changes for people in Grenada. John Layne is recognized for his work in medicine. John Layne was the first in his family to graduate from Medical School in Cuba. As a young boy, after graduating from the St. David’s Secondary School, he later attended the top ranked institution the Superior Institute of Medical Sciences in Santiago de Cuba graduating in his class with honours, thus becoming the first of his brothers to receive his MD. He eventually returned to Grenada and set up his private practice, while also practicing at the St. George’s General Hospital. Doctor John Layne is the District Medical Officer for St. David’s and every other District in Grenada, including Carriacou and Petit Martinique.
Doctor John Layne is also one of the Founders of the Grenada Juniors Doctor
Association and the very first President of the Grenada Junior Doctor’s Association.
Some of his famous patients include his famous brothers Lawrence and Trevor Before becoming a doctor, John Layne parents had always placed high hopes in their children. They had been brilliant in their studies. John was one of those brothers who was effortlessly standing first in all his classes in primary school, secondary school and college. He had an intellectual gift that he maintains today, and no one took it for granted. He was always the top student in his classes, and he surely did score maximum marks, because he had and still has sharp brain. John Layne also taught at various schools including the St. David’s Secondary school giving evening extension classes to professionals who wanted to make improvements in their education. He motivated his students to take an extra step academically. He had a passion for teaching. The subjects he thought inspired his students, and made them realize that they had a duty to a strong academic foothold as they took their first step into a tough labour market. John Layne made lessons enjoyable, and inspired a love of learning.
“My father worked in the field, he was a farmer and enjoyed gardening,. He worked in his field planting and cultivating different crops for his family, He worked from sunrise to almost sunset, with the sun setting over his field like a great big orange ball of fire, and every morning before school, we would go along with him, and put in our regular hard work. We worked hard, but was still able to devote a lot of time to study”. For most of the people in the community, life was a constant struggle. But even in the hardest time, Mr Lincoln and his wife, Mrs. Theresa Layne made certain their children had something to eat, no matter how small. When the children were finished, their parents would eat what was left. Consistent studying and hard work is what it took them to succeed and become super achievers, because part of learning is practicing, and the more you practice, the more you learn. In short, his parents impressed the lessons of responsibility on their kids and the kids delivered. Mrs. Theresa Layne has praised her children as natural born leaders
John Layne is the fourth of eight children, he was born in St. George’s, Grenada, and was brought up in a liberal household where his mother stressed education. While he was away studying to become a doctor in his second year of medicine, his father died of prostate cancer, deeply affected by this tragedy and struggling with an affair of the heart as well, he was influenced by his mother and opted to continue to pursue a career in Internal Medicine. But it was not an easy road. John Layne held firm despite difficult times and challenges, and earned the respect of his peers.
Today Dr John Layne has his practice in St. David’s, on the same site, not too far from where he grew up, with his seven brothers and sisters.
Doctor John Layne is also one of the founders of the Grenada Juniors Doctor
Association and the very first President of the Grenada Junior Doctor Association.
Some of his famous patients include his brother, cancer specialist Doctor Trevor
Layne and his brother Lawrence Layne an extraordinary electrical and
Mechanical engineer.
He is a man of many interests. In addition to his medical work he’s broaden his interest into farming.
John Layne is a prolific and powerful realist, a licensed doctor who is improving the health of his patients. As was mentioned earlier, the death of his father helped motivated him and his brother Trevor to study diseases and medicine. He quickly established himself as an outstanding doctor. It was a combination of natural ability and hard work. He is one of the finest doctor in his field in Grenada. It is a great honour for him to represent his community. John Layne never forgot the advice given to him by his mother, many years before “I want you to be a good man, to become a serious person and work hard to achieve your dreams. Always remember who you are and where you come from. A man must be honest, he must always work for what he needs. He must share with his brothers, who are less fortunate than him, this is the Layne’s way. This is the way we show dignity and love”.
Doctor John Layne is a selfless super-healer. He’s the guy you want to be in charge of managing your care. His understanding of the human body and social codes, and just about everything he comes into contact with do a great deal to instil confidence in his potential patients. He addresses any issues that arise with his patients, without hesitation, or advice to consult another expert doctor, if he feels it’s necessary. The people of Grenada and in the Diaspora are extremely proud of his calibre. A great credit to his profession.
John Layne is a well-respected, brilliant doctor who is a leading figure in his community and country. His counsel is sought in most serious cases and his wisdom is cherished by all the people who knows him.
Doctor John Layne work as a highly regarded, trusted and experienced, respected Practicing in his Clinic and the Grenada General Hospital. He specializes in and is considered a pioneer in his field. His outstanding dedication to his patients has earned him respect and accolades. Doctor John Layne is incredibly accomplished and also outspoken. He’s in a category all his own. The doctor believes too many people in Grenada are not getting sound advice for preventing and dealing with diseases, such as Heart problems, high blood pressure, Parkinson’s, cancer and many more health issues plaguing the Grenadian population today.
No problem is too big or too small, or too complex for him to attend to. This is reflected, whenever speaking to people in his community. The doctor’s name is spoken with extremely high regard throughout Grenada and in the diaspora. One of his patients Ms Regis had this to say about John Layne. “He is a real asset to our Parish, community and country. He has been a rock for me throughout my time being sick. He provides great consistent care to his patients, He is dedicated to his work and his patients, and emphatically has the knowledge and the experience to treat and help others, A doctor of integrity and very virtuous.”
Doctor John Layne says he loves his job, it’s fantastic.
It’s about caring for people, for my patients and treating them, and about just being with them in their health journey through illnesses. ”Doctors can’t fix everything and all we can be is a safe pair of hands and confidential ears to share the burden with, I am blessed for being in a position to try and help my patients”. When asked what he finds most rewarding about his work, he said “Whenever I can do something good each day for my patients, when I see a smile on their faces”. John Layne is loved and respected by his constituents and people of Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique.. To the people he is more than a great doctor. He is a living symbol of the Island itself. Dr John Layne is a humble man, who says exactly what’s on his mind.
“I want to send out hugs, love and much appreciation and also to dedicate my accomplishments to my mom, the person I owe the most too” says Dr John
Layne.
Season greetings and warm wishes to all my family, fans and readers, of my articles it’s so awesome to see how different people of the world can read your work, comment on them, like them, share them. I love it so much. We all have that poise and talent, and as I stated, we all have talents, and things that are of value to others, and people who can relate to us, and none of us are alone out there, when it comes to certain issues. We must always remember that. Let me end by saying, thank you for all your wonderful and inspiring comments. It was a pleasure to share with you again this year. Be safe in your journeys and God’s willing, see you in 2021 Greetings from the entire crew at Caribbean Magazine Plus Enjoy your New Year.
(Helen is a Grenadian national living in New York. All views expressed are hers)
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