Senior Maintenance Officer Ensuring Seamless Operations at Savanna-la-Mar Hospital

For two decades, Senior Maintenance Officer at the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital in Westmoreland, Rayon Cunningham, has been the steadfast backbone behind the scenes at the institution.

Through tireless dedication, he keeps life-saving equipment humming, lights glowing, and water flowing – sustaining the hospital’s heartbeat for patients and caregivers alike.

“Maintenance and my role as a senior maintenance officer [are] critical in the effectiveness and the functionality of the hospital. If there is no light, if there is no water, if there is no steam, if there is some abnormality in any equipment, it affects all the departments,” Mr. Cunningham emphasises.

His journey into healthcare maintenance began in 2005 with an unexpected opportunity – a friend’s recommendation to fill a temporary vacancy at the hospital.

Armed with experience as an electrician and time spent in a security company, Mr. Cunningham eagerly seized the chance to put his skills to work.

“I was excited, because I actually wanted to be somewhere where you have the passion and you can deliver your expertise and get things moving,” he tells JIS News.

After securing a permanent position, he steadily advanced through roles such as general artisan and mechanical technician, while simultaneously pursuing studies in electrical work at the HEART/NSTA Trust and supervisory management at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus.

Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought unprecedented challenges for Mr. Cunningham and altered the rhythm of his daily life.

“It was terrible. I was… sick… the demand for work was there, and everybody was under pressure,” he shared.

Tragically, Mr. Cunningham lost his wife to COVID, a devastating blow that was compounded by the death of one of his colleagues.

Despite his personal grief, Mr. Cunningham persevered, driven by his devotion to his three young children and his commitment to the hospital.

“I had it in the back of my mind that I was alive, so I needed to do what I could to make things continue,” he says.

Mr. Cunningham emphasises that his role as Senior Maintenance Officer demands constant vigilance and swift action, especially during emergencies.

He recalls a tense evening when a gas oil pump ignited in the hospital’s boiler room.

“I was walking and I heard something abnormal. When I looked, the pump was on fire… so I ran and used a fire extinguisher to put it out. If it had stayed longer, everything would have gone up in flames,” Mr. Cunningham tells JIS News.

Despite the daily challenges that come with his role, Mr. Cunningham embraces each hurdle with unyielding dedication.

“What keeps me passionate is my passion. I feel good when I am able to help. [I don’t do it] for recognition, but because I see [that] someone [will] benefit from it. It’s a warm feeling,” he shares.

Though his role does not involve direct patient care, Mr. Cunningham feels deeply connected to the hospital’s mission.

“Being a healthcare worker means looking out for others… it means to help. It’s a warm feeling, a passion [to] extend a helping hand,” he states.

Mr. Cunningham remains unwavering in his dedication to his role as Senior Maintenance Officer, encouraging others to approach their work with zeal, purpose, and pride.