Three Virgin Islands nurses were honoured this month as part of activities held in observance of International Nurses Day.
Marla Alvarez and Pam Edwards received the Excellence in Nursing Award, while Rosa Ravariere-Seaman was named a “Nurse of Distinction,” according to Government Information Services.
“Ms. Alverez and Ms. Edwards are both great examples of the calibre of nurses that we need in the territory to continue to make significant strides within our healthcare system,” Chief Nursing Officer Jacinth Hannibal said, adding, “We encourage all nurses to always seek to present their best selves and do their part to advance healthcare in the territory.”
Ms. Ravariere-Seaman, a registered nurse who serves as the infection prevention and control manager at the BVI Health Services Authority, was honoured for her professionalism, self-development, and progressive ideas, according to GIS.
“Her work was especially evident through the pandemic when preventing infection was paramount,” Ms. Hannibal said. “She is an executive member of the Nurses Association and a committed mentor and teacher.”
Award ceremony
The awards were presented during a cocktail reception held as part of activities for International Nurses Day, which was observed globally on May 12.
Health and Social Development Minister Vincent Wheatley also attended the event, thanking VI nurses for serving as first-line defenders.
Other speakers included Dr. Margaret Smith, chair of the Regional Nursing Body of the Caribbean Community; Dr. Rondalyn Dennis Bradshaw, chief nursing officer of St. Kitts and Nevis; Rupertha Ephraim, chair of the VI Nurses and Midwives Council; and Gail Scotland, president of the BVI Nurses Association.
This year’s theme for International Nurses Day was “Our Nurses: Our Future.”