MKSCHC nurses, doctors and staff pose in front of the island’s health facility during a celebration of National Hospital Week, which also marked 30 years for the health center.
The Myrah Keating Smith Community Health Center opened its doors to St. John patients in 1983 and Eddie Bruce was among those who helped celebrate by providing live music.
On Thursday morning, May 16, Bruce was on hand once again, this time with fellow musicians Michael Sorzano and Koko Pickering, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of MKSCHC.
With several tents erected in the health center parking lot to provide shade, MKSCHC staff took time to recognize those who go the extra mile to help patients and also handed out Years of Service awards to employees of five, 10 and 30 years.
“Behind the success of any great business you will find it is great people who make it work,” said Schneider Regional Medical Center CEO Dr. Bernard Wheatley.
While celebrating MKSCHC’s 30 years of dedicated service to the St. John community, Wheatley looked ahead while sharing remarks with the crowd.
“Not only are we here to celebrate 30 years but to look forward to the next 30 years, too,” said Wheatley. “We are only as strong as we are united.”
With help from Schneider Regional Medical Center COO Angela Rennalls-Atkinson, Dr. Joseph DeJames awarded Chris Roddy and Sharelle Francis with certificates to mark their five years of service.
Bernard Richardson, Deborah Emmette and Keiva Rogers were honored for 10 years of service while Murray Jacobs and Christopher Powell, who is retiring this year, were honored for being 30 year veterans of the MKSCHC.
Health Care center officials also took time to honor employees from the receptionist to security staff and night shift nurses, who all contribute to the success of the facility.
A special honor was bestowed upon Chris Roddy whose co-workers voted her Employee of the Year for the entire Schneider Regional Medical Center.
In addition to DeJames and Wheatley, MKSCHC Nurse Emmette gave moving remarks to the crowd as she plans to depart the island the facility in July.
“I’ve never had an experience like I’ve had here,” Emmette said. “I take this experience with me forever.”
Senator at Large Craig Barshinger also shared remarks with the crowd before everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch and reminisced about the inimitable St. John nurse Myrah Keating Smith, for whom the health center is named.
Last week’s festivities at MKSCHC were part of the country-wide observance of National Hospital Week and events were hosted across the territory.
On St. John officials from the health center also hosted story time at Methodist Day Care, helped put on a variety show with senior citizens and shared vaccine information with teens at Gifft Hill School.
