Avia Collinder, Gleaner Writer

Since he returned to Jamaica in May, 2008, Dr B. Waine Kong, a psychologist who is a cardiology community care pioneer in the United States, says that he has improved his golf handicap tremendously.

Retired from his job as chief executive officer of the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) based in Atlanta, USA, in July, the psychologist is prodigiously enjoying his return to his roots.

Waine Kong was born in Woodlands, St Elizabeth, from where he emigrated to the United States at age 15, where his athletic prowess saved him from a career in carpentry.

"My guidance counsellor told me to forget college," he told Outlook.

Discovered by an athletics scout while at Morristown High School in New Jersey, he was propelled into the circles that would lead him to the stellar career he gave up only this year.

Starting in 1978 when he left his teaching job in the District of Columbia to pursue research with leading black cardiologist, Dr Elijah Saunders, Dr Kong has never looked back - integrating his knowledge of psychology with the study of heart disease within the African-American community.

Strengthening the community

These days, golf is not his only preoccupation. He has also thrown in his lot with the Heart Institute of the Caribbean in Kingston, taking the message of preventing heart disease to many institutions, including the churches, where he preaches as an ordained deacon every week.

The psychologist, who believes that spirituality plays a great role in prolonging life, has made strengthening the community response to heart disease among black populations his life's work.

Dr Kong is slated to be the keynote speaker at the Jamaica Association for the Advancement of Mid-life Health (JAAMH) on Friday, October 17, at the Knutsford Court hotel.

Dr Fay Whitbourne, JAAMH executive, told Outlook that Dr Kong is "quite a remarkable person". His presentation is slated to be on "unlocking the secrets of a longer and healthier life".

The psychologist is also writer of the book Why Children Should Know their Grandparents, which addresses, in a layman-friendly format, issues of community health and the family's role in disease prevention.

As CEO of ABC, Dr Kong has been deeply involved in the work by black heart specialists to eliminate the disparities related to cardiovascular disease in all peoples of colour.

Advocates

In the 21 years since he became CEO of ABC, that body has accumulated over 600 members and a host of volunteers who actively advocate for culturally competent health care.

They also lobby for increased representation of minorities in the health professions, and availability of appropriate health care and medication for all citizens.

Dr Kong partnered with Dr Elijah Saunders, a former chief of cardiology at Providence Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, who became president of the Association of Black Cardiologists, to conduct the first clinical trials for African Americans relating to high blood pressure.

Health promotion centres

With 51 scientific publications and three books to his credit, Dr B. Waine Kong was awarded by the United States Center for Disease Control for leadership in public health and his work in reducing cardiovascular disease among the black population. - Norman Grindley/Acting Photography Editor

With a grant from the American Heart Association in 1978, Drs Kong and Saunders developed language describing the early warning signs of heart attack, that was later adopted by the American Heart Association. When they learned that less than five per cent of Baltimore residents knew about CPR, they directed the training of 10,000 Baltimore residents in cardiopulmonary resuscitation between 1978-79. Drs Kong and Saunders also authored the Vital Signs Quality of Life questionnaire that was used in several clinical trials.

Dr Kong also pioneered the organisation of churches and barber shops as health promotion centres with a grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, programmes that were adopted.

The psychologist, who had never read a book until he was 15 (in Woodside teachers were the only ones with texts), said that the transition from a Jamaican 'country boy ' to living in the United States was an intensely difficult period in his life.

Taken to live with his mother in New Jersey at that time, he said most people could not understand his deep patois, and his academic performance continued to be poor.

It was only until the third year of college, he says, that he finally 'got it', understanding completely what studying was all about, and began collecting 'As' in this final, breakthrough year.

Juris Doctorate degree

Dr Kong received his BA from Simpson College in 1967, an MA from American University in 1970, his AGS - Advanced Graduate Specialist - certification in educational psychology in 1974 from the University of Maryland, and his PhD from Walden University in 1977.

Twenty years later, he returned to Dickinson School of Law, received his Juris Doctorate degree and became a member of the Georgia Bar.

Beginning his career as a probation officer in Montgomery County, Maryland, Dr Kong became an assistant professor of human development, counselling and criminology, then associate dean of students at the University of the District of Columbia. Before joining ABC in 1986, he served as director of research and grants at Providence Hospital, and executive director of the Urban Cardiology Research Centre in Baltimore, Maryland.

In his work as CEO, he has travelled to more than 100 countries with the message of preventive care in relation to hypertension and heart disease.

According to Dr Kong, cardiovascular disease in Jamaica is a serious problem that must be addressed with increasing urgency. Fifty per cent of deaths from disease are cardiovascular-related, compared to 30 per cent of deaths in the United States.

Pioneering programmes

His advice on prevention includes being spiritually active, taking charge of one's blood pressure, controlling cholesterol, tracking blood sugar and maintaining an ideal weight, enjoying regular exercise, following a sensible diet, getting a good night's sleep, avoiding smoking, getting regular check-ups and taking prescribed medication.

Spirituality, he says, is an important element of the prevention plan, as studies show that those who attend church and associate with a religious body live 14 years longer than those who don't. "They enjoy fellowship together, suffer less divorces and abuse. They also feel less of the loneliness which research shows is a killer," he notes.

On his retirement from ABC, Dr Kong was honoured by the City Council of Atlanta. The declaration issued in July 2008 reads in part: "Whereas Dr B. Waine Kong has been instrumental in the promotion of the ABC's Seven Steps to Healthy Living, one of ABC's primary platforms for community outreach; and whereas Dr B. Waine Kong guided the ABC in pioneering programmes that empower volunteers to take control of their health and that of their neighbourhoods as 'community health advocates', and orchestrated the purchase and construction of the ABC's International Library, Research and Conference Centre headquarters on 127 acres of land in South Fulton Country; and whereas Dr B. Waine Kong will be honoured on his retirement as CEO of the Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc. Now, therefore, we, the members of the City Council, and on behalf of the citizens of Atlanta, hereby recognise Dr B. Waine Kong."

Dr Kong is back home but still finds many outlets for his pet occupation of promoting cardiac health. He also travels frequently back to Atlanta to see his wife, Dr Stephanie Kong, a paediatrician. The couple have four children and five grandchildren.

The psychologist now has more time for his hobbies of golf, tennis, duplicate bridge, and international travel. He is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha - the first intercollegiate fraternity established by African Americans - and a deacon at Providence Missionary Baptist Church. His life story is a fascinating one, and he has set himself the task of writing about it, now that he has the time to do it.

Although he spent 50 years abroad, Basil Waine Kong has always yearned for the simplicity and beauty of the Jamaican life. He finds his joy undiluted, now that he has returned.

It sweet me mon!