Driver at the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) Patrick Foster, recalls that his entry into the Ministry could not have prepared him for what he was to encounter on the front line as the country grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic. He was, however, cognisant of the important role he played and in which he diligently served in an area...

Like many persons in critical sectors, Public Health Inspector, Varon England, had her own fear of the coronavirus (COVID-19), but her commitment to public safety vanquished all misgivings, and she stood with those who battled the emergency. Public Health Inspectors are responsible for the inspection of facilities such as restaurants, day cares and pools to prevent transmission of germs, and...

Despite the glaring danger of interacting with infected persons during the height of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Substance Abuse Officer with the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA), Marisha Burgess, ensured that her clients got uninterrupted services. Attached to the Eastern Region of the NCDA, Miss Burgess is tasked with providing constant counselling to drug addicts and sourcing food for...

President of the Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) Patsy Edwards-Henry got her proverbial baptism by fire when COVID-19 first reached the island in March 2020, by virtue of her association with Patient Zero. The Registered Nurse, Registered Midwife and Departmental Nurse Manager at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital (VJH) served on the front lines with her staff in dealing with the...

When Mitzie Pickersgill received what many before her had considered a terrifying request from the Ministry of Health, she accepted the challenge without hesitation. The call came from the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA). It was an invitation to the trained Practical Nurse to join the response team in Bull Bay, St Andrew, following the discovery of the first...

Growing up, Kamol Williams wanted nothing more than to enhance his country’s healthcare system while simultaneously pursuing a career in technology. Uncertain of how he could merge his two passions, Mr. Williams was compelled to put aside his aspirations of venturing into the healthcare system. In 2017, he graduated from the University of the West Indies with a bachelor’s degree...

As a child, Nicola Wisdom-Jarrett never dreamed of becoming a Medical Technologist. She wanted to study medicine because she had a strong desire to help others. However, when the funds to pay for her tuition could not be found, she was forced to change course. “Initially, I wanted to do medicine, but we didn’t have the funds… so I went...

Chief One Medical Technologist with the National Public Health Laboratory, Andrae Cole, decided to walk in his cousin’s footsteps in pursuing a career. The Downs, South Manchester native looked up to his cousin, Wayne Reid, a medical technologist, who at the time, was the closest family member to have pursued a tertiary-level education. So, after completing his years at Manchester...

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Lead for the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW), Shawn Bolton, was easily one of the most important figures working in the background at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, Mr. Bolton who was then Director of the Systems, Information and Technology Unit (SITU) within the MOHW, was responsible for contributing to...