A few personal thoughts as we celebrate our class reunion together...

I am a 1967 University of London medical graduate. I was inspired in this direction by our own family physician, Dr. Peter de Sousa, son of the renowned Dr. A.C.L. de Sousa, one of the founders of the school. Dr. de Sousa had impeccable taste in clothes and always washed his hands with soap and water after seeing a patient; something my younger colleagues should remember! In the late 1960s, Kenya was becoming politically difficult for Asians generally and sadly, I returned to King's College and Charing Cross Hospitals in London. I shortly made plans to leave the UK because of the socialized bureaucracy made it uninviting for young medical graduates.

| arrived in Toronto, Canada in 1969 not knowing a soul! I chuckle at the 1980s song, “YMCA” because that's indeed where I lived for a few weeks upon arrival in Toronto. It was through the kindness of the late Polish-Canadian physician and artist, Dr. Adolph Piotrowski that I was able to establish my medical career in Canada.

I met my first Goan, Mr. Neves Menezes and his wife Mabel in Toronto. Neves was a pharmacy assistant at Dr. Piotrowski's clinic. He introduced me to Al and Zerina Vaz, and the late Ladis and Doris Da Silva who all soon also became my patients. In April 1970, along with Neves and AI, I became a “Founding Father" of the Ontario Goan Overseas Association.

In 1972, I opened my own family practice in the Lakeshore community of west Toronto. My medical group was like the "United Nations"—physicians from the Philippines, an Asian Ugandan, a Chinese Malaysian, an Anglo-Canadian and myself from Kenya. In 1990, we built and established a premier full service medical centre in the community. Over the years, l've provided comprehensive family medicine and organized specialist care and on-going continuing medical education for the physicians in the community.

In 1995, the internet was introduced to the Goan community thanks largely to the efforts of my brother Tim and John D'Souza in the Board Room of our medical centre.

Over the years, my family medicine practice included obstetrics, newborn care, assisting surgeons in the operating room, doing sclerotherapy ( injection treatment of varicose and spider veins) and eye examinations. I was particularly honoured to be appointed Medical Examiner to Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. of Ontario

My hobbies include squash, tennis, fishing, photography and playing the piano. My lovely wife Madeline and I also travel extensively. As a part-time writer, my work can be found in several medical and travel publications.

I left full-time medical practice in November 2006 to begin semi-retirement. I still live in the community where I practiced and often think of my patients' appreciation and generosity throughout my 40 year career. Some patients will always be special like Father Vettical, the Catholic priest

visiting from Kerala, India. Several months later, I received a kind letter from Father Vettical informing me that he was now working at the Vatican Secretariat. His letter enclosed a Papal Blessing and a photo of himself and the late Pope John Paul II. I will always revere and cherish this lovely token of appreciation.

While semi-retired, I continue to work part-time as a clinic physician and in a managerial capacity.

My dear wife Madeline has made so much of my personal and professional life possible. It was only with Madeline's love and caring that I was able to carry on with my work as a physician and bring honour to the memory of my teachers, my parents and those of our community who are no longer with us to celebrate this historic and memorable occasion.