WRHA Honours 33 Retiring Healthcare Professionals In Montego Bay

The Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) on Thursday, September 25, honoured the distinguished service of 33 retiring healthcare professionals during a heartfelt Retirement Ceremony held at the MEET Conference Centre on Jimmy Cliff Boulevard in Montego Bay, St. James.

Held under the theme: ‘A Legacy of Excellence – Honouring our Champions of Service’, the ceremony paid tribute to the many men and women who have served in essential roles across the WRHA.

Their contributions have been vital to the delivery of healthcare services in the parishes of Trelawny, St. James, Hanover, and Westmoreland.

Among the honourees were Medical Technologists, Security Officers, Community Health Aides, and Clinic Attendants—many of whom have completed over 30 years of dedicated service to public health.

One of the most distinguished retirees was 63-year-old Richard Lawrence, a Senior Security Supervisor in the Security Department at Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH), who was honoured for an extraordinary 42 years of service.

He told journalists that following an unsuccessful application for a Public Health Inspector position, he was offered an opportunity to serve in the Security Department.

Mr. Lawrence shared that he pursued a year of private security training and, after successfully passing a qualifying examination, enrolled at the Carl Rattray Staff College in 1983.

This placement marked his entry into the government service, where he remained until his retirement.

“I was a senior supervisor for more than 25 years. I deployed security officers, I drafted duty rosters, and I was awarded more than five different times,” Mr. Lawrence informed.

He noted that he found deep satisfaction in his guard duties, particularly in assisting patients and visitors each day

Meanwhile Mr. Lawrence expressed optimism for the future of CRH and the soon-to-be-completed Children and Adolescent Hospital—a long-held dream he had hoped to witness before his retirement.

“I want to give thanks, and I hope the best for the hospital in whatever they endeavour, that things may work out for them. Now in retirement… I have time to rest and to do all I have to do. You have to enjoy life, live life to the longest in good health, and may God give us strength to bring us through,” he added.

Also honoured was Chief Medical Technologist in the laboratory at CRH, Sharon McLean, who devoted 40 years of her life to Jamaica’s healthcare system

Ms. McLean reflected on her career as a journey she would gladly undertake again, citing the countless contributions she made to patient care and life-saving diagnoses. She shared that, in retirement, she intends to channel her energy into new pursuits.

Ms. McLean encourages young healthcare professionals to cultivate a genuine passion for their field, rather than pursuing it solely for financial gain.

She reflected on the long and demanding hours she and her colleagues devoted to their roles, driven by an unwavering commitment to patient care and public service.

“It can be tiring… but it can be rewarding when you know that you are helping somebody along the way,” Ms. McLean said.

Speaking on behalf of the WRHA, Corporate Secretary and Legal Officer, Damia Dawes-Monthrope, acknowledged the profound impact the retirees have had on the organisation, as well as the countless patients, families, and colleagues they served throughout their careers.

She said their legacy would endure and encouraged them to carry their passion into this new chapter of life.