EIGHT years ago, Kadijah Robinson wore the crown of Miss Jamaica World. She competed in the Miss World pageant and finished in fourth place while taking the title of Caribbean Queen of Beauty.

Today, Robinson is celebrating another milestone. She recently completed her Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT) degree at AT Still University-School of Medicine in Arizona.

In a post on Instagram on July 14, Robinson wrote, “God carried me, hard work sustained me, God made the way. Officially Dr Kadijah Robinson – Doctor of Physiotherapy. Forever grateful for the journey and excited for what’s ahead“.

Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton replied to Robinson’s post on X a few days later: “Head of the Physiotherapy Department at Lionel Town Hospital and an exceptional PMAS (Performance Management and Appraisal System) awardee.”

Robinson told the Jamaica Observer of her personal commitment.

“Completing my DPT degree signifies my continued commitment to professional and personal growth, with a focus on being current and equipped to achieve the best possible outcome for my patients. A DPT can take up to three years to complete. I personally completed my course in two years. I am always looking to the next step forward and completing my DPT programme was the next step in my academic journey,” said Robinson.

She said she developed a passion for taking care of others during her teenage years.

“There is positively no other profession that allows access to witnessing the day-to-day recovery and rehabilitation of a patient like physiotherapy allows. It is truly a rewarding profession. After looking at my options, physiotherapy seemed to be the perfect channel for my desire to help people and improve their daily lives,” she said.

“It was extremely challenging; however, I knew and accepted the fact that not much in life comes easily to those who set their sight on going the extra mile. During my post-graduate studies, I was still employed full-time with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and I had additional duties as the head of my department,” Robinson confided, while highlighting the love she has for her job.

“I enjoy being a witness to the wonders of the human resilience. I enjoy being able to be the vessel that pours into my patients, encouraging and showing them how to improve themselves. I enjoy seeing my patients get back to their lives.”

Robinson is currently the head of department with the Southern Regional Health Authority at Lionel Town Hospital.

Originally from St Elizabeth, she attended the Santa Cruz Preparatory school and later Hampton School for Girls before matriculating to The University of the West Indies School of Physical Therapy.

She reflected on her decision to enter the Miss Jamaica World beauty pageant at 23.

“This was a challenge to myself, and also an attempt to prove my friend and sister wrong. They thought I was too scared to enter the competition, which I was, but I was too stubborn to allow them to be right,” she said.

The opportunity to travel overseas and the exposure that she gained, were among the highlights of her reign as Miss Jamaica World 2018.

“The entire reign was a highlight. I love the opportunity for travelling, the exposure to new and exciting people and their culture, as well as the ability to give back to community and country. It was like nothing that I had experienced before. That year was the greatest highlight of my life,” Robinson disclosed.

She had some advice for people wishing to pursue a career in healthcare.

“Healthcare is a challenging field. It is often very unforgiving and unrewarding, but there is no other field that will provide you with this level of human connection and can keep you grounded and humble like the various disciplines of the healthcare industry,” she said.

Robinson said she developed a passion for taking care of others during her teenage years.