Dr. Kenneth Andrew Richardson

Dr. Kenneth Andrew Richardson was born in Trinidad and Tobago. At the age of 18, he moved briefly to England, but soon returned to the West Indies where he earned his Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of the West Indies (UWI) in Jamaica. During his surgical rotation there, he met his future wife, Dr. Trona Bennett, an anesthesiology trainee. He pursued General Surgery residency training in Ottawa, Canada, where both of his children were born. After completing his residency, Dr. Richardson returned to the Caribbean and began his surgical career in Trinidad and Tobago. An avid sailor, he was drawn to the shores of Saint Lucia, where he would ultimately leave his greatest legacy. Together with Dr. Bennett, and supported by a small group of colleagues and community business leaders, he spearheaded the vision and realization of Tapion Hospital. As Founder, Chairman of the Board, and Medical Director, Dr. Richardson guided the institution from its inception, ensuring it became a beacon of modern surgical care in Saint Lucia. He also earned his MBA, reflecting his vision for the integration of medicine, management, and community health. Dr. Richardson dedicated nearly three decades of his career to the people of Saint Lucia. From September 5, 1988 until June 30, 2012, he served with distinction in public service as a General Surgeon at Victoria Hospital. Between 1988 and 2003, he also held the position of Head of the Department of Surgery, where he guided younger surgeons and advanced standards of care. His gentle demeanor, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to his patients made him a beloved figure across the island. In 1998, he pioneered minimally invasive surgery in Saint Lucia, performing the country’s first laparoscopic procedure at Tapion Hospital—an elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy—ushering in a new era of surgical advancement. After 2012, he continued his contributions through Tapion Hospital and private surgical practice, carrying forward his dedication to advancing surgical care on the island. In addition to his national impact, Dr. Richardson also played a pivotal role in regional surgical leadership. When the Caribbean College of Surgeons (CCOS) was founded in 2001 and formally launched in 2003, he was elected as the College’s first Secretary and Treasurer. In this capacity, Dr. Richardson helped shape the governance and vision of CCOS, working alongside Professor Errol Walrond and other Caribbean surgical pioneers. His involvement underscored his dedication not only to Saint Lucia but to the advancement of surgery across the Caribbean. Dr. Richardson’s contributions to healthcare in Saint Lucia are immeasurable. His colleagues remember him as an incredible inspiration, a mentor, and a visionary who advanced surgical practice while maintaining a deep compassion for his patients. The Government of Saint Lucia officially recognized his immense contributions, honoring his memory and celebrating his role in shaping the nation’s healthcare landscape. Beyond medicine, he was remembered as a devoted husband, father, sailor, and community leader—one whose legacy endures in the lives he touched, the hospital he helped build, and the standards of care he elevated. “Dr. Richardson’s life was a testament to service, innovation, and love for humanity. His spirit continues to sail with Saint Lucia.”