Courtenay Felix Bartholomew

Courtenay Felix Bartholomew grew up in Port of Spain, Trinidad, and attended Nelson Street Boys’ RC School and St. Mary’s College.[3] He had a keen interest in biology and chemistry, but disliked physics: his dream was to become a medical doctor. Two people inspired him the most: Dr. Alwyn Francis and his own uncle, who also wanted to become a medical doctor but was forced to abandon this dream due to racial prejudice in Canada.[3]

In 1960, Bartholomew graduated from University College Dublin where he studied internal medicine.[4][5] In 1964, he obtained a specialty degree in gastroenterology from the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, making him the first West Indian to obtain a degree in gastroenterology.[6] In 1965, he obtained a Doctorate in Medicine from the National University of Ireland in 1965.[1]

In 1967, Bartholomew became the first lecturer in Medicine at The University of the West Indies (St. Augustine Campus).[1] In 1977, he became the first Professor of Medicine at The University of the West Indies (St. Augustine Campus).[1]

Bartholomew researched HIV and AIDS.[1][7][8] He diagnosed the first case of AIDS in the English-speaking Caribbean.[1] He leads HIV vaccine trials and research on retroviruses with US institutions.[3] He has also studied internal diseases, scorpion sting venom, acute pancreatitis, Hepatitis A and B.[1] He was the first local physician to become a member of the Royal College of Physicians, London without examination.[3] He holds Fellowships from the Royal Colleges of Ireland, Edinburgh and London.[3]

He received University College Dublin’s highest honour of Honorary Fellowship of the Faculty of Medicine (2004) and the International Human Retrovirology Society Award (1991) for his outstanding contributions to medicine.[3]

He is a member of the World AIDS Foundation Scientific Advisory Committee and an advocate for public education on AIDS.[3]

• University College Dublin Honorary Fellowship of the Faculty of Medicine[1]
• International Human Retrovirology Society Award[1]
• Membership of the Royal College of Physicians, London[1]
• Chaconia Gold Medal, Government of Trinidad and Tobago[6][9]
• Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago[10]

Bartholomew is an advocate for fostering education and the use of libraries. He encourages students to “be good at whatever you do”, urges scientists to "be inquisitive to want to learn more" and highlights the importance of teachers, as “teachers are there to guide and motivate”.[3]

Bartholomew restored several churches in Trinidad.[1] He has authored several books on the Virgin Mary.[1] including:

• A Scientist Researches Mary: The Art of the Covenant
• A Scientist Researches Mary, Mother and Coredemptrix
• A Scientist Researches Mary, Mother of All Nations, Her Majesty Mary
• Queen of Peace, The Immaculate Heart of Mary
• Jesus Eucharist and Mother Seton's Emmitsburg
• The Passion of the Christ and His Mother: Including the Linkage with Exodus and the Night of the Passover.