From left: Nurse Orris Jack Bell and Nurse Marisol Wilson, the 2018 winner.
From left: Nurse Brunilda, Nurse Orris Jack Bell, Nurse Wilson (centred), Antonio Pantophlet, Nurse Mendiola and Nurse Priest.
CAY HILL--St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) presented its fourth annual Nurse Orris Jack Bell Award recently. Retired St. Maarten nurses were treated to a bus tour of the island. This delighted many, as the trip gave them the opportunity to reunite with former colleagues.
Laughter and entertainment filled the atmosphere as their host Fernando Clarke made the trip even more memorable. Nurse Orris Jack Bell Award nominees and their friends and families came out to the luncheon held at the Hope Estate Community Centre in Guana Bay.
The event was hosted by Antonio Pantophlet and Brunilda Illidge, who played a large part in the organisation of the Day of the Legends and the Nurse Orris Jack Bell Award ceremony. Pantophlet emphasised the value of nurses in the community and commended them for being caregivers to the people.
This year the theme of the event remained “Nurses Who Paved the Way.” The theme emphasised the continuous honour to all past and present nurses who have been role models within nursing on the island.
This year four nurses were nominated for the Nurse Orris Jack Bell Award: Marisol Wilson (prison), Natasha Carty (Ambulance Department), Fely Mendiola (SMMC) and Donna Wit (Mental Health Foundation). This year’s recipient was Marisol Wilson.
The nurses who received 2018 recognition and were inducted as New Legends were Adagia Scott (SMMC), Carmelita Boyd-Lichtenberg (SMMC), and Raphael Antoine (SMMC). The legends of nursing also received tokens of appreciation for the commitment and care they have shown in their lives.
“These nurses have dedicated years to nursing and serving the community. They have all played a role in advancing the field on the island and represent the heart of nursing. This ceremony serves as means of recognition for all the hard work and dedication our nursing legends have given our community. SMMC was truly honoured to recognise these honourable, hard-working individuals,” said the hospital in a press release on Thursday.
The organisers thanked caterer Kreative Juices, decorator Unique Balloon Decor, SMMC and all legends who helped to make this event a success once again. Special thanks went out to Fernando Clarke and everyone who provided their services in one way or the other for the event.
