IN 12 years, Dr Michelle Reece-Mills has treated more than 100 children with cancer and lifethreatening blood disorders, such as leukaemia, sickle cell and haemophilia.

The children’s prognoses have not always been good but she has forged ahead, intent on saving those among her young patients who she can, while helping to assure a good quality of life for them all.

It is what she is passionate about as the country’s only local paediatric oncologist/haematologist.

Career & Education turns this week to the 30- something, married motherof- two for insight into her work in this highly specialised field of medicine.

After graduating from the University of the West Indies where she earned her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, Dr Reece-Mills successfully completed her Doctor of Medicine in Paediatrics.

She later undertook three years of training in haematology/oncology.

“Two years were spent at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario then one year at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto,” Dr Reece-Mills said.

This, after deciding to help fill the need for such professionals locally.

“Paediatric oncology as a specialty is lacking in Jamaica and this has impacted on the outcome of our patients with this condition. I realised that this was an area that I liked so I decided to pursue an opportunity for a fellowship,” she said.

Quizzed as to the value of her work, Dr Reece-Mills said: “We treat children with conditions that might otherwise be associated with a high mortality (death) rate.”

Dr Reece-Mills is currently employed as a consultant paediatrician specialising in oncology and haematology at the University Hospital of the West Indies, where she has worked for more than a decade.

It is work that she loves, despite the days when depression threatens, as it does with most specialists who diagnose and treat cancer.

“Death is difficult for oncologists as our aim is to cure the patients.There is a high rate of depression due to the nature of the job,” Dr Reece-Mills said.

“Relationships with patients span years and it can be very hurtful to lose a patient after a prolonged time,” she added.

“Talking to another colleague within the specialty is often helpful,” she further stated.

What are the academic requirements for entry into the field?

Training in general paediatrics is required; generally, three to four years of residency.

What other skills and/or competencies are required for the job of a paediatric hematologist/oncologist?

Haematologists/oncologists often have to do procedures, such as bone marrow aspiration/biopsies and lumbar punctures. Diagnosing disorders by reading blood and marrow slides is also essential.

What do you most enjoy about the work you do?

I enjoy the challenge of taking on a new patient and trying to sort through management issues. It’s great to be able to assist families in dealing with a critical time in their lives, as these illnesses are potentially life-threatening for their children if the diagnosis is cancer. I also enjoy delving into the biology of tumours and trying to understand why one cancer is more aggressive than another, or even differences in clinical behaviour with one type of tumour.

What are the challenges you face on the job?

This job comes with many challenges in a resourcelimited setting. Finance is always an issue. The infrastructure as it exists at most hospitals doesn’t have sufficient isolation facilities for this population who are more prone to infection. Social support for parents is limited. Many promising therapies that have made a difference in outcome overseas are not available locally. One such therapy is bone marrow transplantation. Specially trained nurses with experience in managing cancer patients are even more essential.

Trained as a paediatric haematologist/oncologist, what sort of employment options are open to you?

Paediatric haematology/oncology is primarily a hospital-based specialty.

How much can one earn as a paediatric haematologist/oncologist annually?

A paediatric haematologist can earn upwards of US$50,000 a year internationally.

Why would you advise anyone to get into this line of work?

This line of work can be very satisfying. You get to help and cure patients with a critical illness. If a cure is not possible, then you help patients through the process of passing peacefully.