[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 128 (Saturday, August 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1757]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                ON THE PASSING OF DR. SYLVESTER McDONALD

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 3, 2007

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Madam Speaker, I rise at this moment of deep 
sadness on the passing of Dr. Sylvester McDonald of St. Thomas, U.S. 
Virgin Islands. On behalf of my family, staff and the 110th Congress of 
the United States of America, I extend my most heartfelt sympathies to 
the family and friends of Dr. McDonald, affectionately known as ``Dr. 
Mac.'' To those of us who grew up with his children and their extended 
family he was the much beloved, ``Uncle Syl.''
  Dr. Sylvester O. McDonald was born on September 12, 1919, to John and 
Madalene McDonald in Kingston, Jamaica. In 1941, he left Jamaica to 
study at Howard University, where he met and married Eirene Canegata in 
1943. This union lasted 60 years and produced 4 children: Genevieve 
(Rosie) Lambert, Judith Richardson, John McDonald, and Michael 
McDonald.
  After graduation from Howard University Medical School in June 1949, 
and completion of an internship at Harlem Hospital in New York City, he 
came to St. Thomas where he joined the Municipal Hospital Staff on 
August 1, 1950. He continued his work there until June 1953, when he 
entered the U.S. Army where he served until October 1955. Upon his 
return to St. Thomas, he joined the staff of the Knud Hansen Hospital.
  In 1958, he left St. Thomas to begin a Residency in Orthopedic 
Surgery at Queens Hospital Center in Jamaica, New York and the Hospital 
for Crippled Children in Newark, New Jersey. Upon completing the 
residency in 1962, he rejoined the hospital staff at Knud Hansen 
Hospital.
  During his service with the Health Department he served in many 
capacities including Acting Commissioner of Health, Chief of Surgery, 
Medical Director and Orthopedic Consultant to Charles Harwood Hospital 
in St. Croix from 1962 through 1974. There he held Orthopedic Clinics 
on a weekly basis and performed Orthopedic Surgery when necessary. He 
also served as President of the Virgin Islands Medical Society, Vice 
President of the Executive Committee, member of the Clinical 
Pathological Conference Committee and member of the Accreditation 
Committee. Professional affiliations include the American Academy of 
Family Physicians, National Medical Association, and American Medical 
Association.

  He also carried on a private practice in family medicine where he 
treated all who sought his help with utmost respect, courtesy, and 
patience. He retired from the Hospital in October 1982 and from private 
practice in 1985. In 1982, he began his service as Campus Physician at 
the University of the Virgin Islands which he continued until he was 
unable to do so.
  Throughout his life, ``Dr. Mac,'' as he was affectionately known, 
remained a very spiritual person. After his retirement, he attended 
Mass and Holy Communion daily, and served as a Eucharistic Minister at 
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish.
  His favorite pastimes were spending time with his family, his daily 
walks and a swim or soak on Magens Bay.
  Dr. Mac was one of the most revered physicians in the Virgin Islands. 
During his distinguished medical career, and through his various 
executive positions, he remained the epitome of the family and 
community doctor.
  The entire Virgin Islands has been truly blessed to have had such a 
skilled physician and caring and compassionate human being as a part of 
our lives. We will be forever grateful for the legacy ``Dr. Mac'' has 
left behind--a legacy that will surely continue to inspire and 
positively impact future generations of physicians, healthcare 
professionals and all Virgin Islanders.
  Madam Speaker, I know that entire Congress joins my family and me in 
wishing Dr. Mac's family the fullness of God's love and peace during 
this difficult time of grief. May they all be sustained by the many 
wonderful memories that will remain with all of us forever and may 
``Dr. Mac/Uncle Syl'' rest in peace.

                          ____________________