The Marigot Health District held a special awards ceremony Dinner and Dance to honor those who served in the district over the years. The activity was well received and brought together many retirees who had not seen in each other in a long time. The honorees were not limited to nurses but included those who served in other capacities. They are:
Mrs. Rushell Frank
Mrs. Bernadette Sanderson
Ms. Telcita Marcel
Mrs. Justina Ferrol
Mrs. Virginia Peters
Mr. Rupert Darroux
Mr. Whitburne Charles
Ms. Brenda Carbon
Mr. Roy Andrew
Mrs. Claire Bedminister
Mrs. Vilma Bruney
Ms. Ferdinia Carbon
Mr. Harold Dorsette
Mrs. Alina Reefe
Assistant Nurse Valda George reminded the retirees that retirement is a life changing decision and while it may be regarded as a closing, it is also a new beginning. She said that the retirees set a great example and wished them long happy days with family and friends.
Senior Community Health Nurse(CHN), Ivonette Anatol Carbon, sent her words of gratitude and appreciation.
She said, “A ceremony of such magnitutde is of extreme importance. I believe that people should be appreciated for their dedication and service”.
She added that while persons may say that the retirees were being paid, it is always good to show gratitude. She said that the retirees have played an important part in mentoring and molding many both here and abroad and that their efforts under extreme circumstances cannot go unnoticed. She stressed that sometimes to accomplish their tasks they had to walk many miles around communities especially to ensure that those who do not regard their health, received the necessary services whether it is a delinquent child for immunization or the mentally ill. She commended their work which she said had to be done many times with so little resources.
“And now that you’ve done your part, you can now look forward with admiration as you look at the many you have mentored as they execute their duties within various fields of the nursing service”, she said.
CHN Porshia Burton added her congratulations and appreciation. She described retirement as a time to look back with admiration and to look forward with anticipation. She said that it is the retirees who paved the way for her and shared some personal examples of how they impacted her own career.
CHN Catherine Vilma Bruney of Calibishie was given a special recognition award for her work over the years as Public Health Nurse. After her studies as a PHN she was sent to the LaPlaine Health District and served as part of the pilot project in Primary Health care. In 1982, she returned to the Marigot district and served 27 years as a CHN where she supervised and coordinated nursing services. She served on the Nursing Council and in 2006 became Senior CHN supervising the expanded immunization programme. She also served as part of the National Public Health Surveillance and Response Team and even after her retirement in 2009, continued to assist the team during the Swine flu outbreak. Committed and hardworking are some of the words used to describe Nurse Bruney. Mention was made of her motivational and leadership skills which have allowed her to function exceptionally in her community.
A long service award was also awarded to Edes of the Kalinago Territory who was taken by complete surprise and who was unable to hide her deep appreciation for the recognition. She was described as someone who is always on time, very encouraging, extremely helpful and loves sharing her food. The Marigot Health District spans the communities of Calibishie to the Concord.
