By mid 2014 the Virgin Islands is likely to boost of having its first clinical psychologist, as son of the soil Dr. Michael A. Turnbull is expected back home having graduated with a Ph.D. recently in the United States of America (USA). Photo: Provided

Dr Michael A. Turnbull said he is completing the final phase of his studies doing his residency. He made history as a resident student being asked to run the Community Counseling and Mentoring Services Inc. as the programme director, a challenge he accepted with confidence and open arms. Photo: Provided

A proud mother Marion Turnbull reflecting on the childhood days of her son at the celebration on his achievement held on December 30, 2012. Photo: VINO

Hanging with the "big boys"! From left to right: Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Services Commission Mr. Robert Mathavious, Michael A. Turnbull and Deputy Premier Dr the Honourable Kedrick Pickering at the December 30 event in honour of Mr Turnbull. Photo: VINO

“People encouraging me, depending on God and being faithful, If it means hard studies, study extra hard just do it. Coming from this island nothing could stop us from doing great things; nothing can stop us from accomplishing. In this island we have a lot of potentials, we have a lot of people around that visits us. So we must come together and remain a family, keep God first in our lives and we’ll be able to accomplish anything,” added Dr. Michael A.Turnbull with tears flowing down his face. It was the occasion where he was being honoured.

By mid 2014 the Virgin Islands is likely to boast of having yet another clinical psychologist, as son of the soil Dr. Michael A. Turnbull is expected back home having graduated with a Ph.D. recently in the United States of America (USA).This was made known to family, relatives and friends of Dr. Turnbull at a special celebratory activity hosted yesterday Sunday December 30, 2012 by his parents Mrs and Mrs Melvin. A. Turnbull at their Meyers Estate home where a senior Government official said he was ready to pass the baton on to the young aspiring leader.

The newly accredited Doctor of Clinical Psychology related the welcoming news as he spoke of his plans to serve the land of his birth. “To accomplish something like this is not by my knowledge and skill.” He added that it was his growing and schooling at Cane Garden Bay that has kept him fueled all the years. For him it was his early foundation, the protection and guidance of God that are to be credited for his steadfastness and achievements as at to-date.

The moment of celebration came as a surprise to him. “I am really humbled to see all these people, I didn’t know it was going be like this, honestly I did not know,” he said as he emotionally spoke of his reasons for wanting to return to serve his homeland. “…as this country continues to go through a change we must remember most importantly is the people we have next to us, family and friends.”

The married father of one said that as he was completing the final phase of his studies doing his residency, he made history as a resident student being asked to run the Community Counseling and Mentoring Services Inc. as the programme director, a challenge he accepted with confidence and open arms.  “It’s a facility with like five hundred patients and they asked me to run the clinic while being a resident student, that has never happen at that clinic it was history and I felt honored and humble about that,” Dr. Turnbull noted.

“The journey includes a lot of people along the way,” noted his father Reverend Melvin A. Turnbull. 

The 29 year old graduated from the Agosy University, USA on November 4, 2012, an extra significant day in his life as it was also the day he celebrated his birth anniversary.

“Congratulations and I believe that you are one of the youngest BVIslander to have ever achieved something like this at such an early age,” said Deputy Premier Dr the Honourable Kedrick Pickering while Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Services Commission Mr. Robert Mathavious said “I am one leader that is ready to pass the baton on and there is not a better person to pass it on to, than you. You have the training the qualifications that show that you have what it takes and that you are capable of positively impacting and blessing the country.”  

Several other spoke words of congratulations at the occasion including his mother Marion, past teachers, close friends and even former classmates. Most persons credited his success to his humility and passion for academic and higher learning. It was said to have been a rare occurrence for someone his age from the Virgin Islands to complete the highest level of education in a single field of studies.

Dr. Turnbull anticipates that during 2013 he’ll get licensed after which he intends to return home to served the Virgin Islands. He has plans to give back to his community in more than one way, through clinics and by giving the voluntary services to the Hope foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) for which himself and brother are founder leaders. The organization is currently being managed by his brother Melvin Mitchell Turnbull.