Young G-G Achievement Awardee Lets Her Light Shine

Dr. Rodean Sylvester, who hails from the garden parish of St. Ann, has led a life that reflects service, resilience and sheer academic excellence.

The 24-year-old was among the 37 outstanding recipients of the Governor-General’s Achievement Awards (GGAA) 2023 for academic excellence, leadership and community service.

In an interview with JIS News at the ceremony held on Thursday (June 29) at King’s House, Dr. Sylvester, who is an intern at the internal medicine unit at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), said receiving the award is a “true blessing”.

“It’s a great honour. I am very privileged to have won this award. It’s kind of a pat on the back to say that I am doing well,” Dr. Sylvester said as her face beamed with pride.

The graduate of York Castle High School told JIS News that she was nominated by 2021 Rhodes Scholar and fellow York Castle alumnus, Fitzroy Wickham.

“He usually encourages me to go for things because I am a bit more reserved. He always tells me to go for it and let my light shine,” she said.

With a total of 22 distinctions in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE), the stellar student also earned two national placements for her performance in Spanish.

While at York Castle, she served in various leadership capacities, including peer tutor, head girl and president of multiple clubs.

After recognising the need for increased volunteerism, she founded the Outreach Club, which evolved into the Junior Octagon Optimist International Club.

Dr. Sylvester also led the school to victory in the National Fresh Juices Trivia Competition, copping a $250,000 prize and a computer for the school library.

Mother of the GGAA awardee, Melrose Williams, told JIS News that her only child declared from age two that she wanted to pursue a career in medicine.

She recalled that she was worried about how her studies would be financed but her daughter had strong faith that God would provide.

They went on a day’s fasting and mere days before the start of her university tenure, young Dr. Sylvester got the call that she earned the prestigious University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Scholarship to read for the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree at UWI, Mona.

“Sadly, my mom and grandmother were plagued with illness, so I got to see them going through sickness, and as a child, I was not allowed in the hospital and I wanted to be there to assist them. So, that sparked my interest in medicine and then the love for science and helping others followed me throughout high school and then, ultimately, I opted for medicine,” the medical intern explained.

Ms. Williams shared that each time her daughter achieves a major accomplishment, she is brought to tears.

“It warms my heart to know the struggles and everything we went through and to see that she is here at this place now. She has greater achievements in her, but she just needs to push herself and tap into her greatness,” the mother noted.

Dr. Sylvester’s medical school journey was adorned with recognitions such as multiple spots on the Dean’s List and an induction into the Honours Society.

“In the final MBBS exams, I gained distinctions in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medicine and Therapeutics, and Surgery and I also received the overall clinical medal, which is the prize for the student with the best performance in all three subject areas across all three UWI campuses,” she beamed.

During her university years, she was the assistant local director for UWI’s Western Jamaica Campus, spearheading numerous medical and philanthropic activities.

The GGAA awardee’s community service record is equally remarkable.

She has served individuals with disabilities at the Jacob’s Ladder Branch of the Mustard Seed Communities in St. Ann, volunteered at the St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital and taught at summer programmes.

The GGAA was established in 1991 and, to date, a total of 944 Jamaicans have received the prestigious award.