The passing of Ms Williams (as she was professionally known) has deeply affected many of us who had the privilege of working alongside her. It is with great respect and gratitude that I share this personal reflection on her life and the indelible impact she had on mine.
Ms Williams (Dr Dorothy Chandler-Williams) was a constant source of inspiration to me from the very beginning of my medical journey. As the consultant of the first surgical team I was assigned to as an intern, she played a pivotal role in shaping my early experiences in surgery.
Like many other surgeons in practice today, she was the one who guided me through my very first operations.
I remember she often spoke fondly of her own early days in the field, waiting on the operating theatre stairs in the old Port of Spain General Hospital (POSGH) for emergency cases to come in.
Those stories were more than just anecdotes; they reflected a long-standing deep love for the craft of surgery and a dedication to service that left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of learning from her. I have personally witnessed her saving countless lives, from those suffering with cancer to the trauma patients who so often presented to POSGH.
Though she once gently advised me against pursuing surgery, perhaps understanding better than anyone the immense demands of the profession as a woman it was ironically her example that convinced me otherwise.
Watching her navigate the rigours of a surgical career while being a loving and present wife and mother made the path feel possible, especially during a time when female surgeons weren't commonplace.
I would often describe her affectionately as "the grandmother of surgery". She had a unique way of making even the most junior team members feel at ease in the operating room: reassuring, nurturing, patient.
Working beside her felt safe, much like being guided by your own mother or grandmother, who wanted nothing more than to see you succeed.
I also recall vividly watching her tend to a patient's wound at the bedside during a post call ward round, as no task was ever too small for her, even at her level of seniority.
Our paths crossed again during a personal hardship, when I was admitted under her unit following an accident. True to form, she visited me daily. And in more recent years, we'd run into each other often, casually catching up in the mall's carpark. She never failed to ask about my progress, my family, and my sister, who had attended secondary school with her daughter. That was who she was, always genuinely interested.
Later, when I became more senior, it was an honour to be once again placed in what was her previous unit, with patients' files and clinic signs still labelled as "Ms Williams' General Surgery Unit". It was a poignant reminder of her legacy. Even after her retirement, patients would still ask about her, often recounting stories of her warm and comforting presence during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Our connection even extended beyond medicine too. Ms Williams lived just a street over from my parents, and I fondly recall Carnival time spent hearing music loudly over the sound system.
She was not only a respected surgeon, but a beloved neighbour and a vibrant part of our community.
Her legacy is one of compassion, quiet excellence, and unwavering dedication. She touched the lives of patients, students, and colleagues alike and helped shape not only the surgeon I am today, but the person I strive to be.
To those who may not know her story, I urge you to ask about her. Speak to those who worked with her. Learn about her pioneering role as the first female general surgeon in Trinidad and Tobago and the countless lives she changed through her work and mentorship.
Ms Williams was deeply loved, universally respected, and truly irreplaceable. May her memory be a blessing and may we all honour her legacy.
My deepest condolences go out to her family and loved ones.
May she rest in eternal peace.
Dr Alyssa Muddeen
Surgeon
United Kingdom