Three medical professionals were specially recognised at a dinner held in their honour and hosted by the parliamentary representative for St. Paul, E. P. Chet Greene.
Dr, Jerry Simon with MP E.P Chet Greene
The awardees – Dr. Jerry Simon, Dr. Dwayne “Baba” Thwaites and Nurse Ann Edwards – were singled out for their service to the community and to the national healthcare system.
In brief remarks to the gathering, MP Greene made it clear that the outstanding contribution of the medical professionals was the only purpose of the award dinner.
“Too often we attach politics to things that we do. We can sometimes put the politics aside a little bit and be human.
“One of things persons gathered here would attest [to] is that over the past eight plus years, one of the things I have tried to do is to build a community where we respect each other.
“Yes, the time will come, and soon, when you would be asked to cast ballots in an election, but tonight is not about that; tonight is for our honourees,” he declared.
Dr. Simon, who hails from Liberta, was honoured for his dedicated service to the people of St. Paul as the coordinator of the medical services offered each year as part of Health Month from the initiative’s inception.
Greene also announced that Dr. Simon will very shortly operate his medical practice from the St. Paul Community Centre. According to the representative, the facilities will be provided to Dr. Simon rent-free as part of the mission of the centre to offer a wide array of services to surrounding communities.
The second honouree, Nurse Edwards, was recognised for her more than fifty years of service to the nation and people of Antigua and Barbuda.
Nurse Edwards, who has served communities countrywide, said her view has always been that her contributions extended beyond her profession and into national service.
The third honouree, Dr. Thwaites, has for years coordinated prostate screenings which have become an integral part of the St. Paul Health Month.
Another engagement prevented Dr. Thwaites from attending the dinner, however, MP Greene said his contributions have been long established and the community is thankful for his service.
Greene also thanked the many healthcare workers who attended the dinner for their contributions to St. Paul and to Antigua and Barbuda, especially over the past two years when the country was in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Greene, plans are already afoot for the 2023 edition of St. Paul Health Month and he offered the promise that the services provided will be expanded.
