By: Dr. Peterson
WEST PALM BEACH – Trinidad & Tobago has come a long way since independence 50 years ago. Comparisons are always difficult, given the long time lapse between those heady and yet challenging days immediately following out independence, and today.
Speaking with many people about the changes that have taken place in our country, I continually hear comments about our huge technological leap into the 21st Century – our sophistication as far as software systems and the rapid proliferation of digital systems interfacing the workplace and industry. I also hear a lot about the crime situation, so much so that many nationals are afraid to visit Trinidad and Tobago for vacations for fear of their lives and property. Others have said adamantly that they have changed their retirement plans and have no desire to include T & T in their projections.
However, my family and I return to Trinidad & Tobago regularly for both vacations and for business. I try not to put on my rosy-tinted glasses whenever I visit. I, too, see the crime statistics and read the daily papers. I am appalled by the brutality of the murders and attacks perpetrated by some of our nationals on each other. Yet, whenever I visit T & T, I marvel at the lifestyle of our people. No problem is insurmountable. They take everything in its stride and move on with life.
Yes, the crime is unacceptable and needs to be handled in an efficient and effective manner. Yes, there are too many disadvantaged people who survive from day to day, eking out a living – God knows how! Yes, there are problems with health care delivery and efficiency. But business continues to boom. The lifestyle and standard of living of many people are high – almost enviable. One can still go to the beach every weekend (with caution) and enjoy visiting relatives and friends at any time. We can still walk the streets with relative safety ( keep away from deserted areas). We can still lime with friends and relatives at the many watering places throughout T & T. And the hospitality and kind-heartedness of the people are incomparable! I have traveled and lived in many parts of the world. None of them can compare with our beautiful T & T.
Yes, we have our problems – which country doesn’t? Yes, we have a long way to go to bridge the wide gap between those who reap bountiful rewards and those who subsist marginally from day to day. Out health care system has a long way to go. The frustration in dealing with government departments is lamentable. But we live a good life – even those who do not have much. We continue to complain about our shortcomings, yet we love our country. We boast about Trinidad & Tobago at every opportunity (most of us, anyway). I have eaten the Cascadura on many occasions – just to make sure that I will end my days in Trinidad & Tobago.
Professor A. Ronald Peterson
South University
West Palm Beach, Florida
About Dr. A. Ronald Peterson, PT, PhD, DPT, GCS
Arthur Ronald Peterson was born in Siparia, Trinidad, and moved to Maraval with his family during his infancy. Following his secondary education at Tranquillity Boys School, he migrated to London, England, where he trained and served with the British Army as a Dispenser in West Germany for 2 years, and in Malaysia and Singapore for 3 years. After his return to England, he went back to University to train as a Physiotherapist, graduating at the top of his class. Shortly thereafter, he pursued a one year residency in Manual Therapy and Manipulation with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, working with the world’s leaders in this field – Geoffrey Maitland and Dr. James Cyriax.
In 1973, Dr. Peterson completed a Teacher’s Diploma in Further Education with the City and Guilds Institute of London. He then served as the Senior Physiotherapist to the British Armed Forces in Belfast, Northern Ireland for 1 year.
In 1974, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, Dr. Peterson took over as Principal of the School of Physical Therapy with the University of the West Indies, in Mona, Jamaica. He was instrumental in graduating the first Physical Therapists for the Caribbean in 1975.
Moving on in his career, Dr. Peterson was appointed Physiotherapist for Tobago and served in this position from 1981 to 1989. During this time, he was instrumental in initiating a rehabilitation service for the island of Tobago, representing Trinidad and Tobago in the International Society for the Rehabilitation for the Disabled. He delivered the keynote address with the then Minister of Health, Dr. Emmanuel Hosein, for two consecutive years. While in Trinidad & Tobago, he was in charge of the Bishop’s High School Cadet Force (three platoons and Cadet Force Band). He also served as President of the Trinidad & Tobago Physiotherapy Association and Editor of the Journal.
In 1989, Dr. Peterson relocated to the United States and spent 3 years in Slidell, Louisiana, as Rehabilitation Director for Slidell Memorial Hospital. While in that position, he headed the inpatient and outpatient departments, inpatient rehabilitation wing, departments of Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, Recreation Therapy, Fitness Center, Sports Medicine Center and Industrial Medicine Department.
He was also the Center Coordinator of Clinical Education at Slidell Memorial Hospital for Physical Therapy students from Louisiana State University.
Dr. Peterson is a firm advocate of service to the community. He graduated from the Leadership Slidell program in 1990 (a training program for community leaders). He became a member of the North Shore Rotary Club in 1990, and was very prominent in community activities.
Moving to West Palm Beach in 1992, he was Rehabilitation Director of Royal Manor Skilled Nursing Facility for 2 years before going into Private Practice. He is currently owner and CEO of Peterson Rehabilitation, Inc, an Outpatient Physical Therapy Clinic in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Dr. Peterson holds a PhD in Health and Human Services from Columbia Pacific University, and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Boston University. He is a certified Manual Therapist, a certified Neurologic Specialist, a Board Certified Clinical Geriatric Specialist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. He is a member of the Wellington Rotary Club, and served Rotary International in all leadership positions, including President, Secretary and Treasurer. He was awarded Rotarian of the Year on several occasions and holds many citations for distinguished service. He is a Multiple Paul Harris Fellow with Rotary International and a Past Assistant Governor for the Rotary District 6930 in South Florida.
Dr. Peterson owns and operates a large outpatient rehabilitation clinic in West Palm Beach, catering to the general public in all areas of physical therapy. As a Geriatric Clinical Specialist, he is a frequent motivational speaker for many health care organizations in South Florida. He is frequently quoted in various publications in South Florida.
Due to his long and distinguished career in the health care field, Dr. Peterson was appointed Professor and Program Director of the Physical Therapist Assistant Training Program at South University in West Palm Beach, Florida in February of 2011. He was instrumental in leading the South University campuses in Royal Palm Beach, Florida, Montgomery in Alabama, and Savannah, Georgia, through a 10-year accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education – the accrediting arm of the American Physical Therapy Association. He supervises a faculty of four doctors of Physical Therapy, and currently is responsible for the training of 120 therapy students at different levels of training.
One of Dr. Peterson’s professional goals is to see the creation of a comprehensive Caribbean rehabilitation service based in Trinidad. He feels strongly that this is long overdue. He cites the fact that the former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago had to be sent to the Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. for treatment following a stroke. This, he feels, is a glaring deficit in a country that is so innovative in many other fields. He often refers to the current Prime Minister’s quest for addressing the pandemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) which are sweeping through many developing countries. These diseases cause many physical conditions including strokes, heart attacks, and diabetes, all amenable to physical therapy interventions.
Dr. Ron Peterson is on the Advisory Board of Keiser Career College, and has clinical education responsibilities for students who are placed at his outpatient facility from physical therapy training programs around the country. In addition, he was keynote speaker at the nurses’ graduation exercises from Keiser College on two separate occasions, and participated in graduation exercises for several other organizations.
Dr. Peterson is a published author, releasing two books – Baa Baa Black Sheep and Journeys Of My Life in 2009. He is currently working on a third book, The Bird Lady of Crete, which will be released in 2013.
As a sought-after speaker, Dr. Peterson was the Keynote Speaker to the Future
Business Leaders of Florida Conference in 2009, when he shared the podium with the Mayor of West Palm Beach, Lois Frankel. He frequently speaks on Health Care topics to community groups and associations. He is an avid promoter of Caribbean culture and spearheaded the Rotary Caribbean Carnival in West Palm Beach for 2 years, personally meeting our present Prime Minister at one of these events.
Dr. Ron Peterson is a Board Member of both the Trinidad and Tobago Citizens Association of the Palm Beaches and the Trinidad and Tobago Diaspora. He is very active in South Florida, promoting Trinidad and Tobago culture and assisting fellow nationals through the Trinidad and Tobago Diaspora.
Dr. Peterson and his beautiful wife Carmen currently live in Royal Palm Beach, Florida.
