Amrie Morris-Patterson

Obituary- Dr Amrie Morris-Patterson Amrie Susan Morris-Patterson was born on April 14th, 1973 to Mrs Sylvia Morris-McCalla and Jeremoth Burke. She was the only child of that union but has a sister Roxanne Pompey, on her paternal side. She grew up in a large extended family with mom, grandparents, five aunts , five uncles, plus cousins, nephew and nieces. Amrie attended the Biabou Methodist school then moved to the Girl's High School. From those early primary school days she excelled academically and received an island scholarship after A' Levels. After teaching for a year at the Mountain View Adventist Academy she proceeded to study medicine at UWI Mona in Jamaica in 1993. When she returned to St. Vincent and the Grenadines in 2000, she worked for two years as a medical officer at the Milton Cato Hospital. Dr. Morris-Patterson, dedicated to her profession, traversed various departments, dedicating significant time to the Emergency Room, where her expertise shone. In 2000 year she married Anthony Patterson, agricultural research officer and graduate science teacher, of Kingston Jamaica, whom she met during her UWI studies through Advent Fellowship and church and who migrated to St Vincent to be with the love of his life. They welcomed their first born Alyssa in 2001. The family returned to Jamaica in 2002; Amrie to pursue her specialization in psychiatry while Anthony did a degree in mechanical engineering. Annique joined the family in 2006. She completed her specialization in 2007 and was stationed at the Mental Health Centre as Senior Registrar until 2011. Sadly in 2007 she received a diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia. It was very difficult for the family but this condition was kept in check by medication. She was much sought after for psychiatric services and set up a private practice in 2005. In 2013, she became a member of the staff of the Trinity Medical School and worked as the Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine and Behavioral Sciences until her passing, teaching and providing psychiatric services while maintaining her private office. Ever dedicated to improving mental health services, she volunteered her time at the Mental Health Centre stepping up during critical times by taking on pro bono on-call duties for a week or two. Her unwavering commitment and generosity truly set her apart, leaving an inspiring legacy of service and excellence. She also worked with the government of Montserrat - Ministry of Health and Social services from 2018 as a consultant psychiatrist. This meant that she went to Montserrat every other month to provide essential psychiatric services. She served faithfully in her local church , Fountain SDA in the Youth, Sabbath School, Family Life and Health Ministries. She generously gave of her medical services at health fairs, privately, and in health promotion programs at various churches and institutions. Dr Morris-Patterson's battle with leukemia became public when an appeal for blood donations was made in September 2022. She fought bravely and made a miraculous recovery in April 2023 after what could be termed a near death experience. She resumed work at Trinity Medical School in September 2023. After fulfilling a follow up appointment in the US she returned to the hospital for an unrelated headache. While being treated there she experienced a fall and died from internal cerebral bleeding. Her loss has left a great void in the psychiatric and mental health services, in the many other areas in which she served her community and in the hearts of her loved ones. She has fought a good fight, with grace and faith. While she sleeps in Christ, we look forward by faith to meeting her in that heavenly home where there will be no more sorrow, pain or death. Until then let us walk in the footsteps of the Great Physician whom she sought to pattern.