Dr Marie Grandison Didier

Dr Marie Grandison-Didier was one of the intrepid medical professionals who shared The Tapion vision. She took the leap along with the visionary core group (which included her Husband, Dr MarFn Didier). Together, they set out establish The Tapion Hospital in 1996. As the 4th of 5 children of a Public Health Inspector and Primary School Principal E. Marie Grandison Didier began her scholarly journey in Jamaica from Old Harbour Primary, to St Andrew Prep School and onwards to St Andrew High School, where she was Head Girl in her Senior Year. She won the Open University Scholarship in Natural Sciences Jamaica and this allowed her pursue an undergraduate University Degree at the Mona Campus. A short 2 year interlude, which involved teaching in Jamaica at Manning’s High School in Savanna la Mar in Westmoreland and Ardenne High School in Kingston, was followed by her entry into the Faculty of Medicine in 1979. Teaching would become a common thread in her professional career from thence forth. She married Dr MarFn Didier in 1980. In 1984 she completed her medical degree and had the first of her two daughters. Post internship, she worked with the illustrious Professor of Dermatology Lois LaGrenade in the Dermatology Department of the University of the West Indies Mona Campus Jamaica. This experience undoubtedly impacted her later professional choices. Aber 12 months she transiFoned to her first of many public sector jobs, at the Campus Health Centre for the University of the West Indies Mona. Her second daughter was born in 1988 and in July 1990 the family relocated to St. Lucia. On arriving in St Lucia she joined the public sector Medical Profession. She became the first Non-French NaFonal to provide services in the local Sexually Transmiced InfecFon (STI) Clinic. She was later co-opted without having full formal training to service the island’s Leprosy and General Dermatology Clinics. The aforemenFoned clinics provided services to the enFre island and grew under her aegis. Through a joint co-operaFon programme between UWIDITE (a UWI distance learning pladorm) and the Johns Hopkins InternaFonal EducaFon Program she was able to receive training in Counseling, Adolescent Health and Sexually Transmiced Diseases in 1991. In September 1993 she then leb to pursue a Diploma in Dermatological Sciences in the University of Cardiff, Wales. Upon her successful return to St. Lucia in 1994 with a DisFncFon in Dermatological Sciences from the University of Cardiff in hand she set out, as the only Government Dermatological Specialist on island, to man both the Dermatology and STI Clinics simultaneously for the enFre island. In 1997, the journey at Tapion Hospital began. She shared office space with her husband Dr MarFn Didier and was one of the foundaFon Tennant Doctors of Tapion Hospital. The constant student she pursued further studies in Dermatology in 2000 at The University of Miami. Between 2004-2007 she returned to public sector as the Director of the St Lucia HIV Program which was funded by the World Bank. During this period, in 2005, she completed an acachment in STI and HIV at SUNY Downstate Hospital in New York. In the local medical arena she also served as Vice President of the St Lucia Medical and Dental associaFon from 2011-2013. She has also played major roles in the regional Dermatological professional body, The Caribbean Dermatology AssociaFon (CDA). She was a part of the ExecuFve of the CDA as the Secretary. She was a major player of the organizing Teams for the all the CDA conferences held in St. Lucia. From the beginning of her career, whether in public or private pracFce Dr Grandison-Didier has remained commiced to educaFon. Bolstered by her convicFon that educaFon is vital she has driven to all corners of the island sharing her experFse in STIs and Dermatology with persons both medical and non-medical. Her efforts have been praised and/or honored by the many Groups/SocieFes in both the public and private sectors. In 2011 her efforts in the realm of public service via teaching culminated in recogniFon by the St. Lucian Government. She was awarded an Member of the BriFsh Empire (MBE) at Government house in St. Lucia. From the incepFon of Tapion Hospital Dr Grandison-Didier has been a commiced supporter and fully engaged parFcipant in growing the TAPION BRAND. From her parFcipaFon on the Board and many other Commicees she has sought to infuse the ethos that the high quality Medical Care provided by the Tapion Hospital Specialists goes hand in hand with “Sob Touches” and “Warm & InviFng Spaces” to aid and enhance both the paFent and the paFent family experience. She also believes that a Cohesive Hospital team consists of more than just the Doctors and the Nurses. Every Hospital Team member’s role provides value to the paFent and the paFent family experience. Dr Grandison-Didier’s personal legacy of kindness and generosity of Fme and spirit is well known. Her commitment and support of the TAPION Brand is now and always without quesFon.