Embracing academic medicine, internationally respected Prof of Endocrinology Paul Ladenson built up a reputable career. Ladenson became synonymous with Baltimore's (USA) Johns Hopkins School of Medicine-considered the best known healthcare institution in the world. On November 6, debonair Ladenson was in town for the launch of the Academy of Diabetes Clinicians of T&T?at Hyatt Regency Hotel, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain.
Asked about his foray into medicine, Missouri-born Ladenson said, "I?was fortunate to be the son of a wonderful physician/internist Roland Ladenson. I would imagine myself as a partner with my father. Stethoscope et al. His knowledge about medicine was extensive and deep. So there was no question during my childhood or young adult years, about what I?wanted to be. I knew I wanted to be doctor."
Before immersing himself in medicine and science, he took the advice of his father and pursued a Major in English Literature at college in New Hampshire. Having finished his studies at New Hampshire, Ladenson was fortunate to receive a scholarship to go to Oxford, England to study medicine.
"In 1970, when I?was going to study, my wife Martha and I took a honeymoon trip to England. After I got a Masters' Degree at Harvard Medical School." He was not sure about his field of specialisation. But Ladenson knew he was interested in the hormonal changes that induced pregnancy in women.
"I?found explanations for hormone regulations intellectually stimulating."?It was during his internship with Dr Gilbert Daniels at Harvard Medical School that "he knew he wanted to pursue an academic career combining the excitement of research."
He also paid kudos to Prof Pamela McKinnon at Oxford and Dr E Chester Ridgway at Massachusetts General Hospital for pointing him along that rewarding and stimulating career pathway. But his encounter with Daniels cemented his decision.
Ladenson said, "To make a long story short, I wanted to be like him (Daniels). I?wanted to know about something that had not been known and discovered. My career moved to cancer and advances in hormones. I wanted to be able to analyse and treat diseases."
Ladenson was seduced by academic medicine. "One of the great things about academic medicine is it can change over time. It fell to me to pick it up and practice it. I am not a surgeon. I diagnose." The rest is history. Ladenson has left an indelible stamp at Johns Hopkins. It has been named the best by the US News and World Report for an incredible 21 consecutive years. He has presided over 15 divisions and about 70 permanent staff.
His insight into endocrinology has led to the treatment of diabetes, ulcers, testicular problems, infertility and other aspects of speciality metabolism. His research interests extended to applications of thyroid hormone analogues for treatment of cardiovascular disease, novel approaches to thyroid cancer diagnosis and management, and health economic analyses related to thyroid patient care.
Asked about the Johns Hopkins experience, Ladenson said, "It has been an extraordinary opportunity to interact with the public and people all over the world. And I have benefitted from the reputation of my institution for whatever modicum of success I?have enjoyed."
Zeroing on T&T, Ladenson said, "It's been a wonderful adventure to pursue a new dimension in my career in the optimisation of diabetes and head the diabetes outreach programme." Ladenson derives pleasure from seeing people's health improve.
"The focus is on using new technology and research to help people overcome their problems; often with considerable amount of investment and time. It is not about universal success. I?have met wonderful people from around the world with complex problems.
Waxing philosophical, Ladenson added, "Perhaps the greatest blessing is to enjoy the trust of my patients to have their confidence that I would do my best to help them. And that makes it a wonderful job." Among his stellar list of accomplishments are past president of the American Thyroid Association, Association of Programme Directors and Association of Subspeciality Professors.
To date, Ladenson is continuing investigations into the effects of the thyroid hormones and thyroid cancer management. Apart from practising medicine, Ladenson enjoys the company of his wife, children Bob and Melissa and his grandchildren. "They are a blessing in my life."
He pines for more time to indulge in his love for fishing. Away from the rapids, Ladenson hopes to curl up with a thought-provoking biography or a tome on American history. "I?love reading. I have had to read a lot all my life...from academic journals, periodicals to medical reports." He even serves as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
During his international travels, he enjoys the company of his crony, Prof Emeritus of Pediatrics at the University of Missouri-Columbia David E?Goldstein. "When I tell him we're going to Trinidad, he gets all excited.?It's a beautiful country."