The Trailblazing Dr. Ellen Campbell-Grizzle, CD
Three days after Ellen
Campbell-Grizzle (PhD), received the Order of Distinction (Commander Class) for
service in the field of pharmacology locally and regionally, I sat down with her
at her New Kingston based office to get an insight into the life and work of
this remarkable and industrious daughter of Jamaica. The fifth of seven
children, Dr. Grizzle was born in St. James; however, her parents migrated
shortly after her birth to Grange Hill, Westmoreland where she completed
primary education. A past student of the Grange Hill Primary School, she displayed
early scholarly smarts and was rewarded with a government scholarship to St.
Andrew High School for Girls. Dr. Grizzle described her late father, James Constantine
Augustus Campbell as amazing and gentle who encouraged her to read from an
early age. “He made me feel like a ‘princess”, she said of her dad. Interestingly,
her dad was also a pharmacist who discouraged his daughter from pursuing a
similar career path due to the long working hours and poor remuneration. Her
mother Ethline Eulalee Cottrell was Ellen’s role model. Dr. Grizzle described
her mother as very outgoing who taught cooking and other skill areas at the
local school. Sadly, her mother died in February of 2017 at age 106 but she lived
long enough to see her daughter received her PhD from the University of the
West Indies in 2011. Her mother was also
a member of the Women’s Federation a precursor to the modern day women’s rights
organizations which are continuing the lobbying for the rights of women and
girls.
Formative Years
After the completion of her secondary education at the prestigious all girls’ school, St. Andrew High School, Ellen worked for two years at Pan American Airlines. Dr. Grizzle confessed during our pre-lunch conversation that her first love was journalism and not pharmacology. However, her burning desire to study journalism was not to be extinguished and would be realized in a rather strange way. Dr. Grizzle recalled that in the earlier days there was no programme in Jamaica which offered Journalism. As a result individuals who were so inclined had very few options, one of which was to study journalism through the Gleaner Company which at the time offered scholarships to aspiring journalists. It was while at a crossroads that Dr. Grizzle left her passenger service agent position at the airline and went to the College of Arts and Technology (CAST) to pursue a diploma in Pharmacology. After graduating as a pharmacist Dr. Grizzle worked for 15 years, three of which were spent in the public sector. Dr. Grizzle also was a pharmacy owner and therefore has a unique understanding of all aspects of the profession and the business of pharmacy. She singled out working for Consolidated Laboratories as among her most meaningful experiences. It was while at CAST, which later became the University of Technology (Utech) than Dr. Grizzle” passion for public service grew and flourished. She became vice president of the CAST association of pharmacy students.
Dr. Grizzle was very instrumental in successfully advocating for the University of Technology to offer the Bachelor of Pharmacy degree and this feat was realized in 1993 during her tenure as president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Jamaica. After working for over a decade as a pharmacist, her first love passion for journalism reignited and Ellen applied and was accepted to the Caribbean School of Media and Communication (CARIMAC).
Unknown to most people Dr. Grizzle was enrolled at both the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the University of Technology pursuing bachelor’s degrees in pharmacology and Media and Communication at the same time. Dr. Grizzle quickly added that the pharmacology degree was an upgrade done in a modular summer programme since she already had a diploma in the discipline. This time of study was extremely challenging for her. This was especially so since she had practicum at the University Hospital of the West Indies and these sessions often clashed with class time at UWI. She was however able to successful complete both degrees and graduated with First Class Honours at UWI. She said, “God’s hand was at work which made her succeed”. Dr. Grizzle was encouraged to pursue the MPhil degree and would successfully upgrade to the PhD in 2011.
Work and Volunteerism
In addition to serving as president of the Pharmaceutical Association of Jamaica, (1992-1995), Dr. Grizzle also was president for the Caribbean Association of Pharmacist from 2000-2008. Dr. Grizzle is currently the head of the Caribbean Institute of Pharmacy Policy Practice & Research (CIPPAR). She also worked at the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) where she was Director of Information and Research while spearheading a number of important national research projects on substance abuse.
Dr. Grizzle was also editor for Caribbean Pharmacy News for eight years. The very hardworking and affable Montegonian also had a column in the Gleaner called “Pharmacy Today”. Dr. Grizzle is certainly not all work and no fun person. She was married and has a son and a daughter and grandchildren. It was the voice of her daughter and grandson which left Dr. Grizzle almost speechless at an event hosted by her colleagues and friends on the afternoon of Heroes Day which made the after National Heroes Day celebration more special. Nominated by her professional body, the Pharmaceutical Association of Jamaica Dr. Grizzle is the first pharmacist to have been awarded the Order of Distinction (Commander Class). Dr. Grizzle continues to be a trailblazer.
In the almost hour long conversation with Dr. Grizzle one could clearly hear the enthusiasm not only for her chosen career paths but also for her voluntary work through the Kingston Soroptimist Club which she served as president. Dr. Grizzle quickly added that the Soroptimist Club is the oldest all female club in Jamaica. She is very active in her work with the University of Technology Students Union and Alumni regarding the welfare of needy students.
Transitioning to Academia
In 2011 Dr. Grizzle graduated from the UWI with a Doctor of Philosophy in Communication degree. Dr. Grizzle went to the University of Technology where she served as Dean for the College of Health Sciences from 2011-2016. She is currently the University of Technology Focal Point on Herbal-Cannabis enterprise, where Jamaican herbs are tested and made into medicine. She is also lead researcher for two ongoing projects, Project Livity- A National Health Fund (NHF) funded initiative which is aimed at producing Jamaica’s first National Food Consumption Survey and a Substance Abuse Tertiary Study. Patterns & Prevalence of Drug Use/Abuse in Tertiary Institutions. As Dr. Grizzle entered a new phase of her life she revealed that she plans to write a book on the history of pharmacy in Jamaica. Our conservation ended with a quinessential powerful statement of purpose: Writing and explaining is what is in my future”. This trailblazer continues on her mission. Congratulations Dr. Ellen Campbell-Grizzle, CD. May God continue to bless and sustain her.
Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo
Formative Years
After the completion of her secondary education at the prestigious all girls’ school, St. Andrew High School, Ellen worked for two years at Pan American Airlines. Dr. Grizzle confessed during our pre-lunch conversation that her first love was journalism and not pharmacology. However, her burning desire to study journalism was not to be extinguished and would be realized in a rather strange way. Dr. Grizzle recalled that in the earlier days there was no programme in Jamaica which offered Journalism. As a result individuals who were so inclined had very few options, one of which was to study journalism through the Gleaner Company which at the time offered scholarships to aspiring journalists. It was while at a crossroads that Dr. Grizzle left her passenger service agent position at the airline and went to the College of Arts and Technology (CAST) to pursue a diploma in Pharmacology. After graduating as a pharmacist Dr. Grizzle worked for 15 years, three of which were spent in the public sector. Dr. Grizzle also was a pharmacy owner and therefore has a unique understanding of all aspects of the profession and the business of pharmacy. She singled out working for Consolidated Laboratories as among her most meaningful experiences. It was while at CAST, which later became the University of Technology (Utech) than Dr. Grizzle” passion for public service grew and flourished. She became vice president of the CAST association of pharmacy students.
Dr. Grizzle was very instrumental in successfully advocating for the University of Technology to offer the Bachelor of Pharmacy degree and this feat was realized in 1993 during her tenure as president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Jamaica. After working for over a decade as a pharmacist, her first love passion for journalism reignited and Ellen applied and was accepted to the Caribbean School of Media and Communication (CARIMAC).
Unknown to most people Dr. Grizzle was enrolled at both the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the University of Technology pursuing bachelor’s degrees in pharmacology and Media and Communication at the same time. Dr. Grizzle quickly added that the pharmacology degree was an upgrade done in a modular summer programme since she already had a diploma in the discipline. This time of study was extremely challenging for her. This was especially so since she had practicum at the University Hospital of the West Indies and these sessions often clashed with class time at UWI. She was however able to successful complete both degrees and graduated with First Class Honours at UWI. She said, “God’s hand was at work which made her succeed”. Dr. Grizzle was encouraged to pursue the MPhil degree and would successfully upgrade to the PhD in 2011.
Work and Volunteerism
In addition to serving as president of the Pharmaceutical Association of Jamaica, (1992-1995), Dr. Grizzle also was president for the Caribbean Association of Pharmacist from 2000-2008. Dr. Grizzle is currently the head of the Caribbean Institute of Pharmacy Policy Practice & Research (CIPPAR). She also worked at the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) where she was Director of Information and Research while spearheading a number of important national research projects on substance abuse.
Dr. Grizzle was also editor for Caribbean Pharmacy News for eight years. The very hardworking and affable Montegonian also had a column in the Gleaner called “Pharmacy Today”. Dr. Grizzle is certainly not all work and no fun person. She was married and has a son and a daughter and grandchildren. It was the voice of her daughter and grandson which left Dr. Grizzle almost speechless at an event hosted by her colleagues and friends on the afternoon of Heroes Day which made the after National Heroes Day celebration more special. Nominated by her professional body, the Pharmaceutical Association of Jamaica Dr. Grizzle is the first pharmacist to have been awarded the Order of Distinction (Commander Class). Dr. Grizzle continues to be a trailblazer.
In the almost hour long conversation with Dr. Grizzle one could clearly hear the enthusiasm not only for her chosen career paths but also for her voluntary work through the Kingston Soroptimist Club which she served as president. Dr. Grizzle quickly added that the Soroptimist Club is the oldest all female club in Jamaica. She is very active in her work with the University of Technology Students Union and Alumni regarding the welfare of needy students.
Transitioning to Academia
In 2011 Dr. Grizzle graduated from the UWI with a Doctor of Philosophy in Communication degree. Dr. Grizzle went to the University of Technology where she served as Dean for the College of Health Sciences from 2011-2016. She is currently the University of Technology Focal Point on Herbal-Cannabis enterprise, where Jamaican herbs are tested and made into medicine. She is also lead researcher for two ongoing projects, Project Livity- A National Health Fund (NHF) funded initiative which is aimed at producing Jamaica’s first National Food Consumption Survey and a Substance Abuse Tertiary Study. Patterns & Prevalence of Drug Use/Abuse in Tertiary Institutions. As Dr. Grizzle entered a new phase of her life she revealed that she plans to write a book on the history of pharmacy in Jamaica. Our conservation ended with a quinessential powerful statement of purpose: Writing and explaining is what is in my future”. This trailblazer continues on her mission. Congratulations Dr. Ellen Campbell-Grizzle, CD. May God continue to bless and sustain her.
Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo
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