Monday Motivation - Kendi Griffith

Doctor, Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Who is Kendi Griffith?

I am a 33-year-old who is currently pursuing a post-graduate degree in Ophthalmology, which is a field of medicine that deals with diseases of the eye. I am also an avid Crossfitter and live an active and healthy lifestyle. I enjoy running, cycling, and outdoor activities such as hikes and visiting the beach.

What does your day-to-day entail?

My job as an eye doctor entails seeing patients in a clinic setting daily as well as performing surgery on the eye. These surgeries most commonly are cataract and pterygium surgery. I also assist in other surgeries including glaucoma and retina procedures. In the clinic setting, patients are seen routinely for follow-up after surgery as well as for continued management of their eye disease such as glaucoma or diabetes affecting the eye. Doctors working in the hospital setting are also required to be on-call. On-call duties are for a 24 hour period when doctors such as General Practitioners, Accident and Emergency, or other Ophthalmologists call to refer or discuss patients with certain complaints such as trauma, infection, chemical eye injuries, decreased vision, or blindness to name a few. Being on call requires you to be available to see patients at any time during that 24 hour period.

My job also involves academics which is necessary for continued learning in order to complete my specialization in Ophthalmology. I am also involved in public health awareness about various eye diseases and ways to prevent them.

Tell us your most memorable achievement to date.

Pursuing my Ophthalmology degree involves taking multiple examinations which evaluate my knowledge in the field. To date, I have passed two of the three examinations required for me to qualify for my degree. Passing my examinations are most memorable for me because it means I am one step closer to being a successful Ophthalmologist with my own private practice.

Any advice for our readers who are interested in working in your field?

The journey to becoming a medical doctor and further specializing in a particular field requires time and patience. Pursuing a medical degree can be challenging as it is a long journey with many examinations. In order to do this, you must develop a level of discipline to allow you to stay the course and be successful. Creating good study habits and routines as well as having a good support system are keys to being successful in this field.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?

I love my field and would encourage anyone interested in it, to be aggressive in pursuing their goals. I am willing to mentor anyone who has a desire to pursue medicine or Ophthalmology.

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