by Eulana Weekes
St Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Fourteen individuals were ushered into retirement on Saturday night (May 14) during the Nevis Nurses Association Annual Awards and Dinner at the Malcolm Guishard Recreational Park. The event was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Gender Affairs in the Nevis Island Administration.
The honourees include Nurse Jacqueline Dore who contributed 36 years of service; Nurse Joyah Walters with 29 years of service, Nurse Bernadette Jeffers with 41 years of service; Nursing Assistant Garrilyn Saunders, with 16 years of service; Ms. Patricia Flemming with 54 years of service in Community Health Care; as well as Nurse Jacqueline Jeffers Glasford and Nurse Ermine Jeffers each with 40 years of service.
Other retirees are Ms. Martina Quailey, who served 17 years as Elderly Care Provider at the Flamboyant Nursing Home, Mrs. Judith Franklin, Home Care Provider, who served for 13 years at the Flamboyant Nursing Home; Miriam Freeman, Nursing Attendant at the Flamboyant Nursing Home, who contributed 16 years of service; and Ms. Mary Pemberton, who served as a cook at the Alexandra Hospital for 12 years.
Appreciation was also given to Ms. Delicia Julius, who served 15 years as a Counsellor; Mr. Glenford Herbert, Senior Radiographer at the Alexandra Hospital’s Radiology Department who served 37 years; and Dr. Judy Nisbett with 41 years of service in Public Health.
Each honouree was presented a plaque by Premier of Nevis, the Hon Mark Brantley.
In giving remarks Mrs. Simone Harris, President of the Nevis Nurses Association said “Retirement signals a new journey in one’s life. Hopefully, for our retirees it would be rest, relaxation and reflection. We are thankful for your service. Your absence in the service will create a void which can never be filled.”
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Minister of Health and Gender Affairs- the Hon Hazel Brandy-Williams, Ms Latoya Jeffers- the Ministry’s Assistant Permanent Secretary said, “We celebrate our workers for the investment they have made in health care. All of you have served the island of Nevis well, and you are symbolic of our country’s motto: ‘Country Above Self.’
She expressed ” Now that you are retired, the nurturing, warmth and care you gave to so many, can now be directed towards yourselves. You have climbed to the top of the mountain and it is now time to enjoy the view.”
Jeffers added, “There are no words that I can give to accurately describe the gratitude and appreciation that we have for the service you have given.We are so fortunate to have had you with us for all these years. You will be deeply missed. I salute you and celebrate you for your selflessness.
Quoting the old adage by German-born theoretical physicist Albert Einstein, the Assistant Permanent Secretary said “Only a life lived in service to others is worth living,” suggesting that the retirees’ having given such significant years of service to the Nevisian public, their lives are worth living.
The Nevis Nurses Association Annual Awards and Dinner was listed amongst several activities organised in commemoration of Nurses Week.
