‘My efforts will transform lives’

Sagicor Scholar Sherieka Johnson sets sights on expanding neurosurgery facilities in Jamaica

Sherieka Johnson has always believed that adversity is not a barrier but a catalyst for greatness. Born and raised on Kennedy Lane in Gordon Pen, Spanish Town, a volatile neighbourhood known as ‘Monkey Town’, the 29-year-old has used her challenging upbringing to fuel her passion to transform Jamaica’s healthcare system through neurosurgery.

“The bittersweet part about my childhood was that I was exposed to hardships and real-life experiences early, which I believe helped to mould me into the strong, resilient woman I am today,” Johnson explained.

She detailed the sacrifice of her mother, a single parent who fought tooth and nail to provide for her and her older sister.

In her pursuit to challenge the status quo, she was awarded a 2023 Sagicor Foundation Tertiary Scholarship to complete her studies at The University of the West Indies (UWI) for a Bachelor of Science degree in medicine and surgery. The scholarship, she said, opened the door for her to complete her studies and one day make good on her plans to make a positive contribution to Jamaica’s healthcare system. “One of my main focuses will be ... creating a state-of-the-art neurosurgery clinic where patients will access more extensive medical care at a fraction of the cost as opposed to going overseas for treatment,” she said.

The clinic would provide comprehensive care for patients with various neurological disorders including aneurysms, epilepsy, and spinal disorders.

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“I also see myself helping young doctors to learn the importance of proper patient-centred care and treating them with a more holistic approach,” said Johnson, whose aspirations extend far beyond personal success, to societal advancement.

Now at her final lap of studies, she looks back at her journey and how life-changing it was to have received the Sagicor Scholarship just in time to continue her academic journey. She says it came after five years of hard work and almost a lifetime’s worth of uphill battles.

“My family and I have always been Sagicor Life clients,” she shared. “After hearing about the scholarship from a current awardee, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t afford to miss. I believe we are all born to be great once we accept our true calling and allow God to guide our path. I’ve always known that my calling was to save lives and preserve health, but with everything, there are unforeseen setbacks. I’ve experienced many rejections over the years before successfully matriculating into the programme and while it was delayed, I was never defeated.”

As for the next steps and life after graduation, Johnson has a clear vision of what she wants to achieve. She plans to start out as an intern at the Spanish Town Hospital, saving lives and restoring health. She will also put her efforts behind the ‘I Can Foundation’, an organisation she co-founded to feed the homeless and mentor children in her community.

She mapped out, “Our dream is to extend our impact locally and globally. The dreams I have for my community and aspiring doctors are extremely big; I always shiver thinking about them. I know the struggles I had to go through to be here today, and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, but my foundation and my efforts will transform lives. The plans I have for helping to reform Jamaica’s healthcare system are endless.”