Caribbean Life honors 32 healthcare professionals

Caribbean Life and Community News Group celebrated 32 Caribbean American healthcare professionals during its fourth annual Caribbean American Healthcare Awards ceremony at Paradise Catering Hall on June 22.

These professionals were honored for advancing healthcare in New York. President and publisher Jennifer Goodstein said “Tonight once again we are here to honor the top of New York’s healthcare fields. The Caribbean American Healthcare Awards were introduced four years ago when our editorial and management staff started to think what New York city would be if the Caribbean community was not so thoroughly engrained in the healthcare system and the work that they do. this was a group that needed to be awarded at a special award ceremony.

“The first three years of the awards were a resounding success. This year we asked our readers, medical community and editorial committee to recommend the best of the professions and tonight we are honoring 32 individuals who represent the best of the best,” she said.

Master of Ceremony Claudette Powell in her brief remaks spoke about the importance of education for the next generation of healthcare professionals and the international shortage of healthcare professionals.

Powell noted that the World Health Organisation indicated that simply increasing the number of workers will not be enough. “It’s not so much about the quantity, they refer to the quality. Shortage of health workers is compounded by the fact that their skills, competence and clinical experience can be poorly suited to the health needs of the population that they serve. WHO recommends that while increasing the supply of health workers, we need to meet the needs of the 21st century,” she said.

She implored those present and particularly the healthcare students to recognise that education was constant. “We never stop learning and we must seek opportunities for learning new skills to improve patient care and for personal growth. Keep abreast of emerging research and innovative service to ensure continuing competence in your jobs,” said Powell. She encouraged the students to learn a foreign language, learn cultural sensitivity, be responsive to cultural health beliefs, ethnic origins and cultural biases.

“The rapid pace of technological growth is expected to continue a trend which will dramatically impact every aspect of our lives. We are people from the Caribbean, we have cultivated an infinity for knowledge and the development of critical thinking skills which help us more readily adapt to change,” said Powell.

Those honored were Margaret Clara Alberta Burke, Dr. Carlton Barneswell, Dr. Daniel Beckles, Sharon Bedford, June Blackwood,Patricia A. Britton,Kyetah N. Bryan, Dr. Rhonda N. Cambridge-Phillip,Kenrick Cato, PH.D, Hyacinth A. Charles, Samuel G. Clarke, Marcia Cole-Saunders, Kettly Derival, Audrey Dupree-Sealey, Ph.D, Marie Edeline Hyppolite, Beverly Gardner-Samuel, Dr. Mila Gauvin, Leslie Gillian Sue, Madonna Holder, Anne Marie Leveille-Tulce, Ph.D, Liza L. Long, Dr. Harrison Mitchell, Dr. John E. Mitchell, Illouise Murillo Tucker, D.N.P., Annemarie Nicola Campbell, Bernice Pamela McIntosh, Dr. Marcia Philomena Nelson, Noreen Roach, Shanita Scotland, Fiona Gloria Smith-Cambry, Ph.D, Odette A. Spencer and Kafi Yolanda Quaynor.

Dr. Harrison Mitchell and his guest.

Photo by Jason Speakman

Kafi Yolanda Quaynor and her guest.

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Community News Group president and publisher Jennifer Goodstein welcomes the attendees.

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Noreen Roach and her guest.

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Master of Ceremonies Claudette Powell speaks of the honorees’ hard work.

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Shanita Scotland was surrounded by her loved ones.

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Presenter Lorna Hylton-Webb, honoree Sharon Bedford, and Claudette Powell pose for a photo.

Photo by Jason Speakman

Illouise Murrillo-Tucker accepts her award from Claudette Powell and presenter Phyllis Payne Dublin.

Photo by Jason Speakman

Claudette Powell, honoree Leslie Gillian Sue, and presenter Cynthia James White.

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Margaret C. Burke does a dance to show how happy she is.

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Dr. Mila Gauvin with Claudette Powell and singer Angela Cooper.

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Lorna Hylton Webb and Claudette Powell present Patricia Britton with her award.

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Claudette Powell and Phyllis Payne Dublin present Kyetah Bryan with her award.

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Beverly Gardner-Samuel accepts her award from Claudette Powell and Cynthia James White.

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Dr. John Mitchell is happy to accept his award from Claudette Powell and Lorna Hylton-Webb.

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Kenrick Cato speaks to the audience.

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Odette A. Spencer is thrilled to accept her award from Lorna Hylton-Webb and Claudette Powell.

Photo by Jason Speakman

Photo by Jason Speakman

Madonna Holder accepts her award from Claudette Powell and Lorna Hylton-Webb.

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Claudette Powell and Cynthia James White present Anne Marie Berthe Leveille-Tulce, PhD, with her award.

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Dr. Rhonda N. Cambridge-Phillip speaks to the audience.

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June Blackwood is honored by Claudette Powell and Blossom Ferguson.

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Fiona Gloria Smith-Cambry, PhD, speaks to the audience.

Photo by Jason Speakman

Photo by Jason Speakman

Samuel G. Clarke is thrilled for the honor.

Photo by Jason Speakman

Liza L. Long accepts her award from Claudette Powell and Blossom Ferguson.

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Claudette Powell and Blossom Ferguson present Dr. Daniel L. Beckles with his award.

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Vice President of Advertising Ralph D’Onofrio parties with the DJ.

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Hyacinth Charles is surrounded by her loved ones.

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Marcia Cole-Saunders, presenter Merle Warren, and Annemarie Campbell on the dance floor.

Photo by Jason Speakman