WRHA’s employees awarded for excellent contributions to health sector

WESTERN BUREAU:

SEVERAL EMPLOYEES and groups affiliated to the Western Regional Health Authority’s (WRHA) maintenance services department were honoured for their contributions to the region’s health sector at the authority’s Maintenance Week 2025 Awards Ceremony

The ceremony, the second of what is expected to be an annual affair going forward, was held at the Montego Bay Cultural Centre, in Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay, under this year’s theme, ‘Sustaining excellence: Powering healthcare with precision and pride.’

Twenty-two individuals and four parish-level health services were awarded in five parish-level categories, four individual categories, and six special-award categories.

Raymonth Williams, who copped the Westmoreland Heath Services’ Transport Officer of the Year award, was elated that his nine years of service as an ambulance driver at the Savanna-la-Mar Public Hospital was deemed worthy of an award.

“I am overwhelmed because this is the first time I have ever gotten something like this. It is a good initiative and I hope they continue it,” Williams told The Gleaner. “I enjoy my work very much ... I put my all in it, and I am so glad to receive this award for the effort I have put in.”

Fellow awardee Allan Salmon, who works out of the general stores at the Cornwall Regional Hospital, was equally pleased about getting the hospital’s Team Spirit and Collaboration Award.

“It feels great because this is my first time getting an award. I said to myself that before I leave this organisation, I have to get an award, and now I have gotten one. This is just the first one, and there are more to come,” said the elated Salmon.

During the function, St James received the Parish of the Year awards for Excellence in Asset Management, Outstanding Transport Services, and Outstanding Storekeeping, as well as the Silent Force Trophy, for being the overall best performing parish across various categories, and the Board Chairman’s Award for Distinguished Service.

Westmoreland was awarded Parish of the Year for Excellence in Maintenance, and also claimed the Customer Service Excellence in Maintenance Award. Hanover was awarded Parish of the Year for Operational Excellence, while Trelawny’s Falmouth Public General Hospital was awarded the Sustainability and Green Initiative Award.

Keynote speaker Antonio Erskine, a former director of Toastmasters International, was quite emphatic in declaring that Jamaica’s health services cannot function effectively without maintenance and operations employees playing their part.

“Doctors and nurses get plenty of thanks, but the fact of the matter is that without maintenance workers, the lights do not come on, the water does not flow, and the air condition stops working. We are here to celebrate the men and the women who keep the wheels turning, who keep healthcare moving, who sustain excellence even when nobody is watching,” said Erskine.