Victor earned a medical degree from the Central Medical School in Suva, Fiji. However, his degree to becoming a practicing Medical Doctor in the United States was not accepted.
Upon arrival in the United States, he took adult education classes, college courses, many of them for the second time since he already took them in Fiji, and at age 40 earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology from California State University, Long Beach. He was working as a Laboratory Technician rather than as a medical doctor at St. Mary Hospital and the VA Hospital in Long Beach, California, plus attending school. He also worked part-time at other clinical laboratories.
Desma also returned to take adult education classes to complete her high school diploma and worked as a Nurse’s Assistant at the Pacific Hospital and the VA Hospital in Long Beach, and she was never able to complete a Registered Nurse certification.
Both worked together at the VA Hospital, and Victor worked in the Blood Bank as a Phlebotomist, and decided to earn a Master's of Science Degree in Microbiology to increase his opportunities for leadership. He completed his degree at age 50 from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and was promoted to Supervisor of the Blood Bank.
The tenacity, strength of character and work ethic of Dad influenced Mom and all us us to always achieve our very best in all that we do, even when faced with obstacles such as age, family responsibilities, and lack of recognition by the Medical Board causing us to go back to school a second time. We hope all students will do the same, Never Give Up!
Sincerely, Victor C. Thompson and Ann Butler, Victor and Desma’s Proud Children