Doctor gets National Honour for Heroic Act

On the day when Jamaica recognised outstanding contribution to nation building, Dr. Ricard Bennett proudly walked to the stage set up on the lawns of King’s House to receive the Badge of Honour for Gallantry from Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen.
He was being awarded the National Honour for his tremendous show of courage, selflessness, and medical skill in 2014, when he helped to save the life of a neighbour, who had sustained a punctured lung after being stabbed.
In his rush to get the gentleman to the hospital, Dr. Bennett met in a motor vehicle accident. While many others would have given up at this point, Dr. Bennett still single-handedly managed to get the man to the St. Ann’s Bay Hospital, where he and his colleagues performed emergency surgery to save his life.
“My concern was just to try to keep him alive,” the modern day hero told JIS NEWS after receiving his award at the National Honours and Award Ceremony today (October 19).
“I have been working in the medical field for a while so you are not too flustered by what is going on; your training and your experience just kick in and you just do what you have to do to get the job done,” Dr. Bennett said.
Expressing pleasure and gratitude for the recognition, he said he hopes to inspire other Jamaicans to help others in need.
“I hope I have motivated some people or the whole Jamaica to give a helping hand when it’s necessary,” he said.
A total of 223 outstanding Jamaican men and women were recognised for their service to country at the 2015 National Honours and Awards Ceremony.
The Order of Jamaica was conferred on eight individuals, one of which was Dr. Glenford Christian, OD, for invaluable contribution to the Pharmaceutical Industry.

Dr. Christian expressed gratitude to his friends, family, staff and customers for the support throughout his career.
“This is a challenge for me to keep pushing and keep going. This is not an opportunity to relax but to use this to live up to the expectations and to continue to create new realities,” he said.
Other recipients were: Ambassador Derick Heaven, CD, for distinguished service in the Public Sector and sterling leadership provided to the Sugar Industry; Dr. Vincent Hosang, OD, for philanthropic and dedicated service to Jamaica and the Jamaican Diaspora in New York; Professor Elsa Leo-Rhynie, CD, for outstanding contribution to Academia; Rev. Dr. Burchell Knibb Taylor, CD, for distinguished service in the field of Religion locally and internationally; Denis O’Brien (Honorary), for his sterling contribution to the Telecommunications Industry in Jamaica; Reverend Father Louis Grenier, OD, for distinguished service to Religion, Education and Voluntary Service for more than 60 years; and Professor Graham Serjeant, CD, for sterling contribution to Sickle Cell research, locally and internationally.
Prof. Leo-Rhynie described receiving the honor as “icing on the cake,” after a long and fulfilling career.
“It is a wonderful honour and I feel really thrilled. You don’t work for an honour or an award but when it’s offered, it’s wonderful. I am very pleased and proud and happy,” she said.
Minister of Tourism, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill and Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, were among the 36 persons conferred with the Order of Distinction, in the rank of Commander.
Both were honoured for over 20 years of distinguished service to Parliament.

“I am very proud to be recognised for service to Parliament. One doesn’t know how quickly time would pass. I can’t believe it’s been 20 years, and I am just very pleased. Going forward, I am just hoping to continue to serve my country to the best of my ability,” Dr. McNeill said.
Chairman of the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Advisory Board and Veteran Broadcaster, Fae Ellington, was also awarded in that category for her sterling contribution to Communication, Media, Education and Culture.
In an interview with JIS News, Ms. Ellington said she looks forward to continued service to the country.
“I am very honored and humbled. I am happy that I was able to contribute in the ways that I have at the levels that I have and I hope to continue. This sweetens labour,” she said.
Some 49 persons received the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer, while 33 were awarded the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service and 40 others received the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service.
Meanwhile, 50 members of the uniformed service received the Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service.
These include16 Officers from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF); 12 officers of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF); 10 officers from the Jamaica Fire Brigade; and 12 officers from the Department of Correctional Services.