Belizean Roots, Global Impact: Randall Edgell’s Path to Neurology

Belize is making headlines in healthcare, and it’s all thanks to one of our own, Doctor Randall Edgell. Born and raised right here in Belize, Dr. Edgell walked the halls of Saint John’s College before setting his sights on a bigger dream, neurology. Today, he’s not just living that dream, he’s leading it. As director of the Souers Stroke Institute at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Dr. Edgell is at the forefront of saving lives and shaping the future of stroke care. In tonight’s edition of Belize on Reel, we sit down with this trailblazer to hear his incredible journey and what drives his passion for making a difference. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the story.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

If the name Edgell rings a bell, you’re probably thinking of the legendary Belizean author Zee Edgell, the brilliant mind behind Beka Lamb. Zee passed away in 2020, but her influence lives on through her two children, Randall and Holly, who’ve carved out their own paths to success. Holly followed her love for journalism, while Randall took a different route, becoming a leading neurologist with a focus on stroke treatment. So, did he always know this was the direction his life would take? We asked him that very question.

 

Dr. Randall Edgell, Neurologist

“This ambition to be a neuroscience physician, that was not in my mind. But I came from parents who we traveled a lot, so I actually moved to Belize when I was seven for the first time. And then back to Belize when I was eleven. So I lived in Belize on and off during my childhood. So the idea of being able to live in a different country or pursue a higher education was not something strange to me, but I was definitely lucky and where it took me.”

 

Growing up, Edgell was backed by a strong support system of family and friends. His aunt, Laura Longsworth, is a nurse. She’s also the former president of the Belize Cancer Society. She and Randall have always connected over their love for health.

 

Laura Longsworth, Randall’s Aunt

“He met some mentors from Baylor College and he said, Randy, what are you going to do with this? So you can imagine the excitement when I heard he was going to do medicine and that, that connected us because our conversations are always. Health related. And teaching, educating and listening to what he’s doing.”

 

Randall’s chance to study abroad came almost by surprise, thanks to a connection with mentors visiting from the U.S. That opportunity opened doors he never imagined. Today, his work has taken him across the globe to places like Egypt and Iran, where he shares his expertise and mentors others in stroke research. His message to Belizeans? Don’t wait for opportunities to come knocking, go out and find them, because that’s how you advance in the field you love.

 

Randall Edgell

“ If you’re at that stage in your training education, in sixth form or ending high school and you’re trying to pursue higher education elsewhere, I think definitely contacting people who are. In those places and doing those things, you’ll be surprised how excited and willing they are to help you out, even if they don’t know you. But I do think that, using the resources in Belize as well, there are lots of highly accomplished physicians, for example, in my field and Belize, that I’m sure it’d be happy to mentor and advise.”

 

Earlier this year, Edgell was honored with the prestigious Sydney Souers Grant Award, which recognizes those making strides in the medical field. For Dr. Edgell, this journey isn’t about him alone, he wants Belizeans everywhere to see his story and believe they too can achieve greatness.

 

Dr. Randall Edgell

“ I think that you don’t necessarily appreciate how far you’ve come and what you’ve done until others point them out. So I thank you. This is a great honor. But yeah I, it’s a responsibility I take very seriously and I hope that people will utilize me and others who have achieved some success like me to help them. Also rise and get opportunities that they might not have access to. So I think it’s something that I take seriously and I’m grateful for, and I hope that I can use this platform to help others.”

Edgell may live abroad now, but Belize is never far from his heart. He returns often and uses his platform to show that no matter where life takes you, you can still proudly represent Belize. Britney Gordon for News Five.