PHILIPSBURG:--- The International Council of Nurses (ICN) theme for International Nurses Day on May 12th, 2022 was:
“A Voice to Lead – Invest in nursing and respect rights to secure global health, focusing on the need to protect, support, and invest in the nursing profession to strengthen health systems around the world.”
For nurses on St. Maarten, the day is celebrated with a weeklong series of activities, which this year, ended on a high note with a co-sponsored dinner from It’s Time SXM Foundation. The St. Maarten White & Yellow Cross nurses representative Ms. Irene Kemper had contacted It’s Time SXM, seeking support and contribution to give each nurse a rose on their special day.
Mr. Elton Richardson of It’s Time SXM Foundation: “After the call for support was received, we took a decision to go a step further and become a co-sponsor of the dinner for the nurses in collaboration with Kreative Juices Restaurant. Approximately 90 nurses were served in a buffet-style setting that included a variety of delicious salads, mashed and scallop potato, rice, chicken, fish, steak, and an assortment of desserts and soft drinks.”
“Once again, through the partnership of co-sponsors, offered personal time from employees, family, and friends of the foundation and Kreative Juices Restaurant personnel, who assisted with the sharing of the food and manning the bar area. Moreover, the effort was worth every minute noting the added value of showing appreciation of the tremendous work nurses have done and continue to do to take care of our community and helping in their collective role to maintain good health levels for the country overall.” Stated Mr. Richardson.
He continued: “Much to our surprise, our It’s Time SXM Foundation’s President Mr. Cloyd Ohndhae Marlin was presented with a plaque of appreciation, combined with lifetime access to free medical advice, in recognition of the generous support provided to the nurses.
The event, which was held at Tiki Hut in Cay Hill, a stone’s throw away from the St. Maarten’s General Hospital, included DJ music entertainment, on the spot quizzes and games for prizes, and a general recap of the week’s activities by the Mc for the evening, Nurse Meandra Hazel and Retired Teacher Juliana Shipley. The nurses expressed individually and collectively their gratitude and displayed the good time they were having through their smiles, laughter, and cheering at every opportunity provided. They demonstrated their high satisfaction with the event held in their honor and which highlighted their continued dedication to the nursing profession and general care of the people in our community.
Mr. Ohndhae Marlin: “Recently I experienced a chronic asthma attack and visited the St. Maarten Medical Center and remain grateful for the care received by the doctors and in particular the nurses in attendance. I single out Nurse Gary Sillie for going the extra mile, with his high level of attentive care – insisting that I stayed at the hospital. Stating that it was important to remain until I was fully recovered, despite my wanting to return home. Our foundation is thankful for the opportunity to assist with the dinner in honor of the nurses and the plaque of appreciation presented by Nurse Meandra Hazel. We remain committed and look forward to supporting at next year's Nurses Week 2023.
