Pioneers in health to be honoured on Heroes’ Day
Cayman Islands Heroes’ Day Health Services Pioneer pin
(CNS): Doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists, pharmacists, lab technicians, emergency response service workers, medical assistants, counsellors, environmental health workers and therapists are among the 75 people who will honoured on Monday during this year’s annual National Heroes’ Day. The 2015 celebration is marking the contributions of historical, established and emerging pioneers in the field of health services over the last 200 years.
Following a month-long public nomination period in September, 263 nomination forms were received recognizing people in five categories: Early Pioneer, Pioneer, Emerging Pioneer, Memorial Scroll and Long Service. The pioneers will receive a unique insignia (pin) designed for the ceremony in honour of their contributions to health and wellness in the Cayman Islands.
Urging the public support for the event, Premier Alden McLaughlin, who took on the health portfolio in December, said, “There are few Caymanians and residents of any age whose life has not at some point been strongly impacted by the care and empathy of a health services worker. It is only fitting that government and the country shows them in turn how very much their services have meant to us over the years.”
This year’s celebration, to be held on Monday 26 January in Heroes Square, George Town, will include a parade by contingents of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Band, the Cayman Islands Fire Service, HM Prison Service, Cadet Corps, Girl’s Brigade, Scouts, Cub Scouts and Seventh Day Adventist Pathfinders, as well as the presentation of various awards to health service heroes and others.
The ceremony will conclude with a family-friendly social event, featuring live entertainment and samples of traditional Caymanian food. There will also be a display of various photos and artefacts from the history of health services in the Cayman Islands at the old George Town Library. Meanwhile, over at the town hall in the capital, staff from various health organisations and local practices will also be on hand to promote their products and services.
Read more about the Heroes’ Day pins here.
For more information on Heroes Day, contact the Protocol Office at 244-3612 or email meloney.syms@gov.ky.
Category: Local News
I know that these recognition categories were not initiated by the current Government, but I would like to encourage them to amend them. A Pioneer is someone who does something first. They are paving the way for others, working with much less, etc., and deserving of our respect for what they accomplished.
So how can there be an “Early Pioneer”? Is this someone who did the task before a pioneer? Is that possible?
What exactly would be “Emerging Pioneer”? Is this the offspring of a pioneer?
How would these differ from a “Pioneer”?
I do wonder who we will be honouring in 5 or 10 or 15 years time when every year almost 100 are recognised? What happens if one of the younger recipients does something really wrong in the years to come? Do we revoke their recognition?
Wonder who will be included? The last few years of honouring pioneers have excluded some because those involved in preparing the lists and planning the ceremonies did not know about some of the pioneers and clearly didn’t do much research.
Hope at least Nurse Jessie Ritch and Nurse Leila Yates are included.
I think the honorees all come from public nominations. If such is the case then hopefully a member of the public submitted the necessary applications to put forth both deserving names. I can only imagine the task of what is probably a small committee, to see that the annual event happens. Thank you to all who took the time to nominate deserving community members, and present.
Did you nominate anyone or are you one of those Mackeevites who expect Govt to wipe your A$$