~ An angel who eases the pain! ~

Yelena George is an excellent anaesthesiologist as well as a busy wife and mom of three. "We are always behind the curtains, keeping your soul alive while the surgeon works, during labour and various other medical procedures." Being an anaesthesiologist is a very challenging job.

Q: What is an anaesthesiologist?

A: In layman's terms, I am responsible for the comfort of the patient during a surgical procedure, ensuring that the pain is kept at bay. At the end of surgery, I make sure the patient sleeps and make sure the patient wakes up and does so comfortably.

Q: Where do you work?

A: At St. Maarten Medical Center.

Q: Was this what you dreamt of doing as a child?

A: From the age of 10, I knew I wanted to be a doctor. Becoming an anaesthesiologist just happened. In my thoughts, it was never my first choice; I entered the rotation in my studies and liked it, and stayed with it.

Q: Where are you from?

A: I'm originally from Siberia, Russia.

Q: When did you come to St. Maarten and why?

A: In total, I've been in the Caribbean for 25 years. August 9 was my seventh anniversary of being here on St. Maarten. After medical school, I met, fell in love and married a man from the Caribbean. Working in the British overseas colonies, I heard about SXM. I came here as a 'Locum'(replacement) and liked it.

Q: What are the differences between working here and in Russia?

A: It cannot be compared; the capacity of the hospital alone is a huge difference.

Q: What is your favourite part about working in SXM?

A: The people; the patients and the staff are very helpful. They are always by your side. I feel welcome. Teamwork is very important; it makes for a good environment.

Q: Where is your favourite hangout spot on the island?

A: I like Grand Case on the French side; and for the Dutch side, I prefer Simpson Bay. It's perfect that we have so many beaches here on both sides of the island; because once in a while, I'm a socialite; but sometimes I prefer to be by myself.

Q: How many anaesthesiologists are there on the Dutch side?

A: There are only two of us.

Q: Do you miss home?

A: My mom taught me that your home is where you feel happy. Of course I miss my country, but I am very happy here because it has become part of me. Russia is my roots, but here are my branches.

Describe yourself in 3 words.

A: Determined; hard working; honest.

Q: If you could invite any famous person (dead or alive) for dinner, who would they be and why?

A: I would choose the following persons because I would really want to ask them about certain things and it would make for great conversation for me: Einstein, because was a bad student; Mahatma Ghandi, because he chose his own experience; and Ernest Hemingway, because of his ability to look at the nature of human beings and the nature of society itself, which is what I'd like to ask him about.