Profiles: Heroes, Role Models and Pioneers of Trinidad and Tobago - by Nasser Khan

114 J. LENNOX PAWAN (1887-1957) J oseph Lennox Pawan had his early education at St. Mary’s College, Port of Spain and then later at Edinburgh University in England. In the field of tropical medicine Dr. Pawan discovered the source of the deadly rabies virus in the early 1930’s which led to the development of a vaccine and which saved many human lives as well as many animals from the poison of the vampire bat, the source. He also was an expert on tubercolosis and malaria and was an important person in the fight to get rid of them from T&T and the entire Caribbean. • 1934 Member of the British Empire (OBE) • 1954 Consultant on rabies to the USA government • 2002 PAHOhonoured himas a “supreme scientist” posthumously as a “Hero in Health” for his contribution to the development of public health. HENRY PIERRE (1904-1984) S ir Henry Pierre was an outstanding general surgeon and pioneered lung surgery in T&T. He was knighted by the Queen in 1957 and became the only national to receive the United States Meritorious Naval Citation for his service to the U.S. military. He was also active in the Trinidad Medical Society and the Red Cross Society, which he served as President. In 1974, he was awarded the Chaconia Medal Gold.