The Cayman Islands honoured health services workers at a colourful, annual Heroes Day celebration, in Heroes Square, George Town, today (Monday, 26 January).
Some 114 professionals – ranging from doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists, pharmacists, lab technicians, emergency response service workers, medical assistants, counsellors, environmental health workers, and therapists – received recognition for outstanding contributions made over the course of the Islands’ history.
Her Excellency, the Governor Helen Kilpatrick, as well as official and elected members of government lauded awardees’ significant contributions to health and wellness including: the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, as well as the promotion, maintenance and restoration of human health.
Professionals drawn from a range of health services vocations including mental, dental, public and environmental health received awards in a number of categories such as early pioneers and long service. Family members accepted for those bestowed posthumously. Former member of the Legislative Assembly, Ms. Lucille Seymour, chaired the day’s festivities.
During his address Premier and Minister of Health, Hon. Alden McLaughlin, MBE, JP said, “I was brought up to appreciate the advantages of a healthy lifestyle, as well as to respect those who help us to get healthy and work with us to maintain our wellbeing.”
Coming from a family of healthcare workers, Mr McLaughlin thanked all those who had fostered the evolution of health services in the Cayman Islands over the years, and paid tribute to those men and women who have dedicated, and still do dedicate, their lives to the health of these Islands.
As part of the traditional celebration, contingents of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service Band, the Cayman Islands Fire Service, the Prison Service, Cadet Corps, Girls’ Brigade, Scouts, Cub Scouts and Seventh Day Adventist Pathfinders marched through the streets of George Town to pay tribute to local heroes.
Following the ceremony, members of the public enjoyed live entertainment by Lammie, Tywla Vargas and the JR Douglas Band; as well as local foods such as fried crab, turtle stew and fish tea.
In addition a display of historic artefacts and photos encouraged persons to reminisce about the development of health services in the Cayman Islands. Staff from various health organisations and health practices were also on hand to promote their products and services.
Organised by the Protocol Office, National Heroes Day takes place each year on the fourth Monday of January.

Photos: Photos by GIS.
1. The Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin (R) with Dr Gerald Smith (L). The former Health Services Authority Chief Medical Officer was among many health services workers recognised as pioneers at this morning’s Heroes Day ceremony, in Heroes Square.
2. A group of pioneers waiting to collect their awards from the Premier onstage. From L-R Sean Ebanks picking up a posthumous award for his mother the late Orilee Ebanks, former radiologist Betty Ebanks, former public health nurse and immunology specialist Alice Jane Ebanks, Dr Shirley Cridland, and Superintendent of Health Insurance Mervyn Connolly who is a former Hospital Administrator and Health Services Authority CEO.
3. The Islands’ past and present came together at the start of the ceremony when primary school children walked past waving flags.
4.Twenty emerging pioneers were honoured for significant contributions since 2004.

UPDATE: Wed Jan 28 2015

Heroes Day Exhibition

The public is advised that the historic Heroes Day Exhibition will remain open until Friday, 6 February from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Interested persons are encouraged to come out to the old George Town Public Library to witness a display of various photos and artefacts from the history of health services in the Cayman Islands.