Gail Kerr- a Pelican at the pinnacle by Sir George Alleyne ( Chancellor Emeritus)
Gail Kerr never lets you forget that she is a proud member of the graduating medical class of 1981. She
had a brilliant student career with honors in several subjects and finally received the Allenberry Prize and the clinical gold medal in medicine.
Her postgraduate training was in the United States of America and at Mona where she obtained the DM in Internal Medicine. But thereafter she has flown and continues to rise and soar. Dr. Kerr is an accomplished and distinguished rheumatologist, recognized by several awards for her service and research, and is particularly proud of her work on reducing the inequities that plague ethnic
minorities. She has climbed the academic ladder to become Chief of the Division of Rheumatology at Howard University Hospital and Professor of Medicine at Howard and Georgetown Universities. But she
has never forgotten her roots and continues to give back to her alma mater in several ways.
She may tell you that her persistence and dedication spring in part from the talent she honed as a field hockey star – she captained the Jamaica hockey team from 1976 to 1985 and still retains the physique of an international athlete. But the most recent accolade is her election to the Mastership of the American College of rheumatology – the first Black woman to be so honored.
This is a fitting recognition of her outstanding contribution to the field of rheumatology through scholarly achievement and service to patients, students, and the rheumatology profession.
We salute this Pelican at the pinnacle and as the name “Gail” means, she has brought much joy not only to her students and patients but also to past and present members of her University.
