HSA honours nurse who remains on job after 50 years

| 10/04/2024 | 15 Comments

(CNS): Nurse Elba Hessing has played a significant role in caring for many patients at the George Town Hospital and has seen first-hand the transformation in healthcare over her fifty years of service. Hessing, who was recently honoured by the hospital, began her nursing career with the Health Service Authority in March 1974. In 1985, she became the first nurse anaesthetist in the Cayman Islands and is still in that role today almost 40 years later.

Elba Hessing in her early years of nursing

In a press release to mark her incredible service, the hospital said she was a highly skilled veteran nurse who had “played a crucial role in championing HSA’s core values of integrity, responsibility, excellence, respect, and caring, highlighting a combination of factors that has led to her remaining dedicated”.

HSA CEO Lizzette Yearwood said the health authority appreciated her contribution and dedication. “We are proud to have her as a standard bearer of care, and we thank her for the many years of service to the HSA and the community,” she said. “Half of a decade in service, not only to an institution but to a nation is significant and is indicative of her commitment to offer exemplary care and foster an environment that is productive and ideal for overall wellness.”

HSA Medical Director Dr Delroy Jefferson said she is the quintessential professional. “It has been a profound honour to work with her as she brings a lot of experience and know-how to the team. She has always been and continues to be keen on sharing her knowledge to the benefit of all.”  

Speaking about her long career, Hessing said the patients were the driving force behind the longevity of her career. “Through the decades, things were made possible with great teamwork, modern technology, working hard and praying incessantly, as God does care, to maintain that glowing flame of Florence Nightingale’s lamp,” she said.


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Category: Health, Medical Health

Comments (15)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    congratulations, Great story

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  2. Anonymous says:

    Half a century! This category of service is very much for the love of helping others. Nursing can sometimes be very demanding and difficult but for Nurse Elba it was just because she cares. Thank you!

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  3. Congrats says:

    Congratulations on your dedicated service!

    Where did you say she’s from?

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    • Anonymous says:

      She came to help and heal and not to destroy! She loves and is loved! May God continue to keep her and bless her.

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  4. Mumbichi says:

    God bless you and keep you safe, Nurse Elba. You have given of yourself and you deserve to be honoured. You also deserved to be cared for when it is your time, and in a manner that respects you, and your contribution.

    Much love. I actually think you were in attendance when I had surgery in 2015. I am almost positive it was you. You took really good care of me, and Lordy you made me feel safe. That is everything when you emerge from surgery.

    Thank you Nurse Elba. We love you.

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  5. Anonymous says:

    Wait, good news?!? Got any more of this?

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  6. Anonymous says:

    Congratulations Mrs. Elba, thanks for your service!

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  7. Elvis says:

    Congratulations to-you. Awesome work.

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  8. Anonymous says:

    I hope that lady gets an OBE for her service. Far more deserving that 90% who get it through connections and nepotism.

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  9. WBW Czar. says:

    Who’s to say that she stayed on the job this long just to keep a paycheck coming in? Lots of people have no other choice. Cayman is expensive.

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    • Anonymous says:

      seems like you have nothing good to say about people

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    • Anonymous says:

      Dear WB Czar

      As someone who has had the privilege of working with Nurse Hessing, I can assure you that she is an incredibly dedicated professional who loves what she does- and is exceptional in her specialty.

      Many people especially nurses, find great joy, fulfillment and purpose in their work.

      Please don’t detract from a wonderful story of a lifetime of service to the people of Cayman by inferring she is obliged to work to survive. That has nothing to do with the story and takes away from this lady’s impeccable character.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Troll.

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  10. Anonymous says:

    Congratulations, well deserved! Perhaps some people should take note of the work ethic of this lady.

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