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= ae FOOTSTEPS TO FOLLOW Division of Curriculum & Instruction Produced by Project Introspection Department of Education U.S.V.1, (c) 1980 <a Dr. C. Warren Smith The first in a series of individual biographical sketches designed for students use. Grade level: Junior High Secondary Subject areas: Social Studies, Science Health and English Produced by Project Introspection Division of Curriculum & Instruction Department of Education U.S.V.I. (c) 1980 Suggested Activities for using this material Introduction Virgin Islanders have contributed in significant ways to the develop- ment of their home land as well as to the development of other places. Their areas of specialization encompass all disciplines, sciences and arts. This series is intended to: highlight such persons on an individual basis; to place the contributions of each on a larger perspective; to allow you the student to gain insight into the true identity of Virgin Islanders in the intellectual spectrum and lastly, to help you strengthen greater pride in being a Virgin Islander. ah eel Hi Pa fy 4 Ay var EY Lm > at hy re Bae eat nN, i er Activities Purpose: To clarify or to extend concepts discussed in this text. Discussion: I. 2. Research: What does the term Public Health mean? In what areas does it differ from general health and medical services? What community services are offered in this division? How does it benefit the Virgin Islands? What are the values of a sound and practical education? Topics: 1. Pediatrics in the Virgin Islands What children illnesses are most common in the Virgin Islands? How are they treated? Trace the history of the forms of vaccination and immunization used here in the Virgin Islands against children diseases. Games: Whats my name? Whats my Tine? Do research on other Virgin Islanders who have contributed in the field of medicine or science - quiz students on these during an assembly. Written expression Essays: T. After completion of my studies I hope to become ----~-~-~ —-. shag how your choice may help the community in which you plan to ive. Does advanced education make you a better person? Why or why not? Would you like to be a pediatrician? Why or why not? Interviews: Interview persons in health, medicine, science; tape your interview. Play it back to class for discussion on how this person is contributing to Virgin Islands communi ties . Art: Make illustrations to show advantages of good child care (i.e.) healthy children grow into healthy adults: immuniza- tion. A class mural showing health services of the local community. A class mural showing efforts in keeping the local environ- ment free of litter or other forms of pollution. Role Playing: Coconut Valley on St. Thomas is a densely populated nei ghbor- hood, they depend on rain for their water supply. It has been learned that most of the cisterns in the neighborhood con- tain contaminated water. The chief of health says the water is unhealthy and must be thrown away. The parents said while they will not drink it they would use it for washing children clothes. Roles to play: 1. The chief health officer 2. Some parents 3. Some teachers What is your opinion? In Cotton Valley most of the children are sick at home with shots because it is against their religion. Roles to play: 1. The chief health officer 2. The parents who ruled against the shots 3. The parents who are for the shots What would you say? Fr. C. Warren Smith, MD. MPH. FRSH. Or. Conrad Warren Smith son cf C. ¥. Smith, a building contractor and Florence nee Stevens, was born on May 10, 1919. A product of the local educational system, he araduated from Charlotte Amalie High School in 1937 and immediately matriculated at Lincoin University, Pennsylvania. While majoring in biology and chemistry he also had the privelege of serving as a student instructor. Four years later (1941) he earned his Bachelor of Arts in science. He was honored to be inducted in Beta Kappa Epislon Honor Society. Achievina some measure of success, Smith decided to continue on this path and applied to and was accepted at Howard University. At this time he flexed nis intellectual powers by combining a college career and fulfilling his military obligations when he was inducted in the army and commissioned by adjutant's office of the U.S. War Department. He com bined both programs, and became enoaged in an army specialized training course of study in medicine which met Howard University's approval. On December 22, 1944 he was awarded his medica! degree by Howard University. The United States Army awarded him a certificate of medicine. Following this training, Or. Smith did his internship at Arecibo Hospital, Arecibo, Puerto Rico. In 1945 he was issued a certificate from Arecibo Hospital which granted recognition for completion of out- standing performance in the field of medicine. In 1945, Dr. Smith returned home and was licensed by Governor Morris De Castro to practice medicine as a municipal physician of the Department of Health and Medical Services. When the young doctor was not in a hospital nurturing the sick, or when he was not taking care of a special child, he was to be found back in the classroom or in the laboratory finding out more about that which was his life's work, Public Health. In 1952 he returned to the Universi- ty scene at Harvard, in Boston Massachusetts where he studied at Children Medical Center. His specialization at this time was children diseases and once more he embarked on a double program when he combined a research project on children disezses while earning a Master of Arts Degree in Public Health from Harvard. Noting the need for soecific information on children respiratory activity, while at Harvard, the pediatrician engaged in scientific research in respiratory physiology in which he made studies on children of various ages. As a tribute to the orioinality of this fine work, Harvard's faculty named the tables on which he labored the Ferris-Smith tables (Dr. Ferris was at that time head of the department). Because of its significance to the medical field, a Spanish abstract was attached to the tables. The oroject and his Master of Arts Degree were successfully completed in 1952. =2~ In addition to Harvard's recognition of his contribution to health, several outstanding agencies have acknowledaed the significant role he plaved in strengthening the quality of health services for humanity in oeneral, but svecifically for the Virgin Islands. The following account represents a partial listing of these awards and special recognition In 1942-1945 he was member of the Roard of Dental Examiners. In 1954, having fulfilled al] requirements, he was certified by the poor Board of Pediatrics to practice in his field of speciali- zation. On September 1, 1964, Pan American Medical Association certified him as a Diplomate Member, section on Pediatrics. In 1967 the United States Office of Heatth Education and Welfare issued him a certificate in the field of Epidemiology. Governor Cyril &. Kina appointed him to the Advisory Council for hospitals and Public Health on Construction on May 27, 1968. On July 1, 1952 Bellevue Hospital conferred a special certificate in honor of his special internship at Bellevue Hospital Center. i peal studies at Harvard he received a certificate in May, He was awarded a certificate of merit for Distinguished Service by the Dictionary of International Biography on November 15, 1968. Amona other publications in which he is listed are: Personalities Caribbean 4th edition 1970-1971 and Dictionary of Internationa Biography 16th edition, a prestigious publication produced by iotecnatioaat Biographical Centre (BC) of Cambridge, England. This leading works of Who's Who records for prosterity the contributions and/or achievements of carefully selected persons. In addition to serving as a Fellow of the National Foundation on August 10, 1971 he was admitted as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Health and is entitled to use this desiqnation hereafter. The boards and commissions to which Dr. Smith has been appointed also reflect his expertise, not only as a pediatrician, but as specialist in Public Health. Some of these are: Member, Advisory Committee for the Surgeon General of the United States Member, Board of Medical Examiners, July 1, 19617 Member, Commission of Vocational Rehabilitation Member, American Board of Pediatrics Member, Community Action Agency Past member, Repetoire Theater, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. Project Review Commission Children and Youth Commission Board of Dental Examiners it Past President, V.I. Medical Society and also served as secretary for this organization. Member, Criminal Victims Compensation Committee Charter member, Board of Seminario Episcopalal de Caribe, (now defunct) Additional recognition of his expertise in Public Health was evi- denced when Dr. Smith, serving in the capacity as Director of Public Health Services, was consulted by (Senator) Edward Kennedy for his assistance towards the extension of the Vaccination Assistance Act and immunization services. Upon completion of twenty years of dedicated services in Public Health (the then) Congressional Delegate, Ronald De Lugo recognized this achievement in a special correspondence to the physician. He was honored to be inducted in Beta Kappa Epsilon Honorary Society. Dr. Smith as present serves as an Assistant Commissioner of Health, a post he has held since 1966. He has also served periodically as Acting Commissioner of Health during the terms of office of Governors Alexander, Merwin, Paiewonsky, and Kina. Recently he was honored to be in the International Listing of Men of Achievement. The first edition of "Who's Who in Health Care also selected him as the first U.S. Virgin Islander to be honored. From early childhood and during the long years of training and dedi- cated service to his community, Dr. Smith has maintained close ties with his church, All Saints Episcopalean Cathedral, serving in various capa- cittes. He is an ordained priest, and has served as assistant to the rector of St. Andrew's Church. His life's dream was fulfilled when he was appointed Vicar of St. Ursula Church, Cruz Bay St. John. Reverend Smith,who speaks Spanish and German, is married to Majorie nee Weston and they are the parents of four.