Nominations open for annual local heroes

| 02/09/2014

(CNS): The public is being invited to submit nominations for the 2015 National Heroes Day Awards which will focus on health care professionals, this year. People can now put forward the names of those who have contributed to the development of health services in the Cayman Islands ranging from the early pioneers in the sector to those who have given long service.  The culture ministry has formed the 2015 committee, to review nominations and identify the heroes who will be honoured next January. Osbourne Bodden, the minister responsible for culture and health said the committee would ensure a fair and successful nomination process.

Residents are asked to put names forward and nominate those individuals who helped in the development and growth of health services in the Cayman Islands. The deadline for submission is 30 September.

“Health Services are essential in any society – and many persons within the field have left a strong positive mark on the history of our community,” he said, Monday, at a press briefing to launch the nomination process.  “The nomination process allows you to be part of this national celebration and it also marks the evolution of health services in our country over the years.” Urging people to take part the minister added, “Don’t assume that just because the person you have in mind is well known that someone else will nominate them – take the time to nominate those people that you believe are deserving of this recognition.”

Health Services includes all services dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases or the promotion, maintenance and restoration of human health. This includes mental, dental, public and environmental health.

Honourees in the Early Pioneer and Pioneer categories will be awarded a unique pin specifically designed for the award ceremony in order to honour their contributions to health and wellness in the Cayman Islands.

National Heroes Day will be held on Monday, 26 January 2015. Copies of the nomination form are available online at www.ministryofhealth.gov.ky and www.gov.ky For more information, or to submit your nominations, contact the NHD Committee at email nhd@gov.ky

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  1. Anonymous says:

    One great Lady comes to mind, and she is no other than Madgie Bodden. Regardless what hour the night she can be called for the ambulance services. She is right there waiting for the ambulance to come in while making sure that she is comforting the familys of the sick. She is so knowledgeable with the various types of illnesses that I have often said that she should have been a Doctor. I have witnessed her going out to the plane during rain while holding an umbrella over the patient and family member. We could never stop thanking and praising her.

  2. Anonymous says:

    If its based on health care then I beg to nominate our good old Dr T.  Everyone knows him. He is one who will go the extra mile to save a life.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Nominate Murray Johnson, HSA Pharmacist at West Bay Health Center. He personally delivers prescriptions to housebound patients at the end of his day and every child gets a treat along with their prescription! As an individual who resides in West Bay I think I speak for all when I say we "Bayas" love Mr. Murray!

  4. Anonymous says:

    I nominate Arvella Bodden

  5. Anonymous says:

    I nominate Mr. Murray, Pharmacist at West Bay Health Center. He goes far beyond the call of duty, ALWAYS willing to go the extra mile for the patients of West Bay, especially the older generation.

  6. Anonymous says:

    Simple, give an award to each and every medical doctor, nurse and care giver that works for Cayman Hospice. There are no more worthy receipients.

    • Just Sayin' says:

      Here is an easier solution. Outlaw awards for people who get paid to do a job, Hospice staff included. There, just cut a million off the deficit. 

      • Anonymous says:

        Justsaying

        I dont know what the Hospice staff get paid but I can guarentee it that if you are one of their patients and you need someone to come out in the middle of the night you would happily pay their wages. Still if you have never been in that position I can see why you would think they are not worth a little recognition.

        Having said that I am not suggesting other professions who also get paid for their job should not be recognised. Ambulance and fire springs to mind

  7. Anonymous says:

    Please nominate Ambulance Drivers Team leader Stephen Duval.

    1-Leadership by example is the most difficult aspect of leadership. It is difficult because it challenges those in leadership positions to maintain their own high standards every hour of every day. Once a leader falls short of the standard just once, it gives everyone permission to disregard the standard.

    If a leader expects others to look professional, her uniform needs to be impeccable every day. If she expects subordinates to show up to work early, she needs to be even earlier.

    If he demands a rig checkout be completed every shift, the supervisor unit needs to be perfectly stocked. If he expects fast turn out times, he needs to run when the tones go off.

    Leadership by example touches every aspect of an EMS leader’s job. Great leaders embody the high standards that they demand. And for that reason, they are respected.

    In all areas of human endeavor, there are those who lead well and those who lead poorly. EMS is no exception. We have our share of great leaders and poor leaders.

    If you are aspiring to a leadership position or if you are currently in a leadership role in your organization, good leadership can be learned. It’s never too early to begin growing your influence and practicing your leadership skills.

    2-Subordinates don’t want to feel that making the right choices is a guessing game. They want leaders who are clear about their expectations. Most folks will work hard to meet even the most challenging of expectations. But they need to have those expectations communicated clearly.

    Poor supervisors wait for people to fail to meet expectations and then they point out the failure — or they point it out to others. Great leaders communicate their expectations clearly and then motivate others to perform to a high standard. They do so daily, using the most powerful tool available.

    3-Great supervisors have a way of saving their feedback for the appropriate time. They treat performance feedback as sacred ground. You’ll never hear a really good supervisor bad-mouth another individual in a public forum, or in a private conversation when the individual in question isn’t around.

    When folks are recognizing and criticizing another member of the team, it’s tempting for someone in a leadership position to want to affirm that feedback. The temptation is a desire to let people know that you also recognize poor performers or disengaged members of the team. The desire is to send the message, “I know about this. I’m on top of things.”

    Participating in negative observations only serves to undermine team trust in their leader. Once a leader has crossed the line and participated in employee bashing (constructive or not) they have sent the message that negative performance feedback is not sacred. Team members want to know that, if their turn comes to be the subject of the rumor mill, their supervisor isn’t going to participate in airing the dirty laundry.

    4-On every EMS supervisor’s team, there will be several poor performers. Some individuals will be low performers because they are burned-out or disengaged.

    Some will have knowledge deficits and some will need skills improvement. Some will lack experience. Some will have too many bad habits.

    For many leaders, these individuals will be identified as the “problem children,” the proverbial thorns in the supervisor’s side. Many leaders will decide that the best course of action is to somehow weed these individuals out.

    Great EMS leaders will labor to discover the proper way to build these people up. They will ask themselves, what kind of support does this individual need from me to become better at what he does?

    Great EMS leaders make their charges better at what they do. They build people up.

    • Anonymous says:

      Hypocrite!! A person who engages in the same behaviors he condemns others for.

    • Anonymous says:

      Read the article!  "For more information, or to submit your nominations, contact the NHD Committee at email nhd@gov.ky"

  8. Cynic Al says:

    I nominate Canover!

  9. Anonymous says:

    There were many good nurses such as Nurse Pinkey, McLaughlin, Hollaway just a name a few.

  10. Anonymous says:

    Is the word "hero" being used in the sense used in ordinary English or in the special sense used in the concept of "Heroes Day"? 

    English definition: a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.

    Heroes Day definition : someone who did their job or was decent at catching fish.

     

  11. Anonymous says:

    Doctor Who.

  12. Anonymous says:

    There wont be many Caymanians qualifying for this award as the percentage of health care givers are mostly from Jamaica. However one very good ole sole that is much deserving of this is no other than Dr Shirley Clementson Cridland. One of the hardest working that I ever knew. Please dont give her an award in the casket as she is now getting old. One of thee best.

    • Anonymous says:

      I think this post probably helps prove the "doing their job" meaning in the post above in this thread.

    • Anonymous says:

      Where i undertand Dr Cridland is a hardworking doctor, it still doesn't define the word hero….that is the problem in cayman including hero day…..the definition of a hero is not being used for the nomination of an acutal hero….

      • Hear, Hear! says:

        Agree.  While we have many excellent long serving health care professionals, this does not warrant a Hero award and the Govt should also not select based on a popularity contest!!

        Sitting on a charity board also does not constitute a Hero.  The Awards are looking for people who have shaped policy, changed laws, started new methods and projects of improvement.

        I suggest as we are a BOTC that the readers here do a little research and realize this is not a pat on the back award, it is much more.  And althougn I admire a pharmacist and EMT leader who go beyond the call of suty and a long-serving baby doctor too, these are not suitable for the criteria outlined.

        CNS- thanks for the clarifiication.  It helps to keep the focus clear.

        • Anonymous says:

          In this case then we wont have anyone qualifying. Oh maybe the pilot of the helicopter who go out tirelessly at night searching for the criminals. He certainly deserves something.

      • Anonymous says:

        Wouldnt someone who saved a life not qualify as a hero?

    • Anonymous says:

      Soul. "Sole" is the bottom of your foot.