UTech, Jamaica Receives Donation of Nursing Mannequin from KPH Teaching Department Alumni
Mrs. Merel Hanson (2nd right), Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) Teaching Department Alumna, demonstrates a function of the nursing mannequin donated to University of Technology, Jamaica Caribbean School of Nursing by her Alumni group, while looking on from left are Dr. Adella Campbell, Dean, College of Health Sciences (COHS), Professor Colin Gyles, Acting President, UTech, Jamaica and Jochelle Creary, 1st year Bachelor of Science in Nursing student. Occasion was a special presentation of the mannequin to the School at its Nursing Lab, UTech, Jamaica Papine Campus on Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
The Caribbean School of Nursing (CSON), College of Health Sciences, University of Technology, Jamaica, today (March 1, 2022) received a nursing mannequin from Alumni of the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) Teaching Department, an early predecessor to the nursing programme currently offered by the University, at a special handing over ceremony held at the CSON Nursing Lab, UTech, Jamaica Papine Campus. The mannequin was presented by Mrs. Merel Hanson, a member of the KPH Teaching Department Alumni.
Dr Adella Campbell, Dean, College of Health Sciences (COHS), in expressing gratitude to the KPH Teaching Department Alumni, indicated that the presentation follows from previous donations of teaching aids, including venipuncture arms, medical supplies and digital tablets for students in need, by the Alumni group. She noted that the latest donation of the nursing mannequin, which is valued at over US$10,000.00, is particularly appreciated given the scarcity of resources such as these to assist with the skills development of nursing and midwifery students. She also thanked the Caribbean Nurses Association of Treasure Coast and Ms. Karell Brett of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Sunrise, Florida, who contributed to the donation of the nursing mannequin.
Professor Colin Gyles, Acting President, UTech, Jamaica, who was on hand to accept the donation, praised the KPH Teaching Department Alumni group, represented by Mrs. Merel Hanson, for their “selfless contribution to the development and continuation of nursing in Jamaica” adding that the foundations of nursing have been well laid by Mrs. Hanson and her fellow nursing alumni, whom he commended for continuing to serve in important capacities in the profession, and helping to facilitate training for current and future students. Professor Gyles further expressed that the donation “augurs well for the future of this University’s nursing programme, and Jamaica as a whole,” noting that the alumni group, though based in the Diaspora, continues to make contributions to the development and growth of their home country. He also applauded Dean, COHS, Dr. Adella Campbell, Acting Head, CSON, Mrs. Keron Jones-Fraser and other members of the team for forging relationships and pursuing avenues to facilitate this and similar donations.
In Tribute to Gertrude Hildegarde Swaby
Mrs. Merel Hanson, KPH Teaching Department Alumna and a former President of the Nurses Association of Jamaica, in her remarks, noted that the donation was being made “in the name and with the spirit of Gertrude Hildegarde Swaby,” the late registered nurse, midwife and nursing tutor, who was a “Jamaican with a passion for nursing education.” Mrs. Hanson expressed that “Gertrude Swaby had a deep desire to see nursing students receive the highest possible training to be recognized not only in Jamaica, but in other countries all over the world.”
In addition to teaching at the KPH Teaching Department until her retirement in 1968, Gertrude Swaby also taught at the Bellevue School of Nursing, the Excelsior School of Nursing and the University College Hospital of Nursing, where she made tireless contribution to the development of nursing and midwifery training in Jamaica. Mrs. Hanson noted that the Alumni group chose to gift the nursing mannequin, a modern teaching aid, as a fitting tribute to the life and work of Gertrude Swaby, which they hope will enhance the teaching process and “represent the standards that Nurse Swaby worked hard to instill in her students.”
Mrs. Merel Hanson (5th left), KPH Teaching Department Alumna, displays a copy of the book “Trailblazers in Nursing Education: A Caribbean Perspective, 1946-1986”authored by Hermi Hewitt, which features late registered nurse, midwife and nursing tutor Gertrude Hildegarde Swaby, during the presentation of a nursing mannequin to the University of Technology, Jamaica Caribbean School of Nursing by her Alumni group on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Sharing in the happy occasion (from left are) Jochelle Creary, 1st year Nursing student, Professor Colin Gyles, Acting President, UTech, Jamaica, Dr. Adella Campbell, Dean, College of Health Sciences (COHS), Ashleigh Dehaney, 2nd year Midwifery student, Mrs. Keron Jones Fraser, Acting Head, Caribbean School of Nursing (CSON), Mrs. Cherryl Hanson Simpson, Mrs. Hanson’s daughter, Ms. Sophia Smith, Programme Director, Midwifery, Mrs. Anthonette Patterson-Bartley, Programme Director, Nursing, CSON, Jacie-Ann Ffrench, 1st year, and Sanjay Grandison, 2nd year Midwifery students.
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Contact:
Michelle Beckford (Mrs.)
Corporate Communications Manager
University of Technology, Jamaica
Telephone: 876 970-5299
Email: mbeckford@utech.edu.jm