It is the first time that a member of a Statutory Body or the Anguilla Public Service has been accorded such a grand recognition, after being appointed to one of the island’s most senior and responsible positions, as was the case of the newly-recruited CEO of the Health Authority of Anguilla.
The appointee, Mrs. Maeza Demis-Adams, now on her job for several weeks, was lauded at a special welcome reception held at Government House on Thursday, July 26, and chaired by Board Member, Mr. Kevin Carty.
Health Authority Board Member, Vonetta Richardson-Connor, told the gathering that the HAA had realised that an on-boarding programme was the best practice used by many affluent organisations across the globe. Thus, the welcoming ceremony was planned as part of the HAA’s on-boarding programme for its recently-employed Chief Executive Officer.
“This function serves to assist with alleviating any stress that she may encounter in her new job and to let her know that there are persons she could liaise with as she executes her various duties,” Mrs. Richardson-Connor told the invited guests. “It is intended to make her say ‘I am welcomed. Therefore, I belong’. Your presence indicates that you want the best for her and as she embarks on this new endeavour, and that you would do everything in your power to encourage her as she makes the Health Authority of Anguilla the best choice for healthcare in Anguilla.”
Following a prayer by HAA Board Member, Mr. Ricardo Jeremiah, Deputy Governor, Mr. Perin Bradley, told Mrs. Demis-Adams: “As the former Health Planner, you have left some big shoes to fill. The last time you were at Executive Council you made a presentation about the scourge of chronic non-communicable diseases, and the impact that they were having on the quality of life in Anguilla. All the members of Council were blown away by your passion and the force of your arguments, and there was a unanimous decision to support your recommendations – and that we would make every effort to prioritise the screening and health management of those persons who are most at risk.”
Mr. Bradley added: “You spoke with such passion, conviction and clarity that it was very easy for Executive Council to agree with your recommendations. It was one of the easiest decisions I have been involved in. At that meeting you also invoked the name of your late grandmother [midwife Margaret Fleming], and I am very certain that she would definitely have been proud of you, the work you are doing and your dedication to the good health of the people of Anguilla.”
Dr. Brett Hodge, Deputy Chairman of the Health Authority, said in part: “The Board of the Health Authority found it imperative to recruit a CEO with outstanding skills. We need to have a person with great leadership qualities to lead the Health Authority as we navigate these difficult years ahead of us. The Board has a clear vision for the health services of Anguilla and we need a CEO who can embrace this vision with passion, and enthusiasm that is so crucial to the success of us achieving this vision and mission.”
Dr. Hodge continued: “Although we are experiencing many challenges in our health system, coming after Hurricane Irma, this is indeed an exciting time for the healthcare services in Anguilla. As we seek to improve access to healthcare for all, the Board of the Health Authority of Anguilla is always willing to embrace new ideas and technologies. We hope that the new CT-Scan would be put to use shortly as this would greatly improve the deliverance of healthcare for our patients. The Board is cognisant of the need for improved human resources in our organisation.
“We need a CEO who is willing and able to encourage further education and training for all staff members. I am confident that Mrs. Demis-Adams would be a leader in this endeavour. With the support of the Board, Executive Managers and Staff, I am also confident that she will make a great CEO who would lead to improved care for our island. Her education, enthusiasm, extreme passion and dedication, have convinced me that this dynamic young Anguillian is the right person for the CEO of the Health Authority of Anguilla at this time.”
Spiritual encouragement for the newly-appointed CEO was provided by Rev. Menes Hodge of the Anglican Church. “As a staunch member of the church, the members join with me, and the community in general, in expressions of appreciation and congratulation on this important appointment,” he said. “The position will be fraught with many and varied challenges but, with careful thought and inspiration from above, you will be able to solve them all. It is important to remember that you are rendering a service to the people of Anguilla to be regarded as a service unto God as well. You must therefore seek His guidance and His inspiration in all things at all times.”
Rev. Hodge added: “As a member of the Senior Choir at St. Mary’s Parish Church, please be assured of our love and prayerful support. You have our very best wishes for every success as you assume the duties of CEO of the Health Authority of Anguilla.”
The feature address was delivered by the Minister of Health and Social Development, Mr. Evans McNiel Rogers. He took the opportunity to thank Mrs. Meridith Gumbs personally, and on behalf of the Ministry and the people of Anguilla. “While Maeza is the first Anguillian to hold the post of CEO, Meridith has been filling in the gaps throughout the inception of the Health Authority,” he acknowledged. “Whenever you turned around, it was Meridith, Meridith. I want to thank her for the work that she has done in keeping the pieces together amidst the criticisms throughout the time.”
Addressing Mrs. Demis-Adams, the Minister said: “You are a home girl; a healthcare professional, and I am sure when you started your nursing career that being CEO of the Health Authority of Anguilla was never part of your future plans. That is why I believe your appointment was by divine intervention. We are happy to have you on board. I know you will do a good job. You will lead this organisation very well but, in order to do so, I must say to all of us here that you are going to need the unwavering support of every single one of us.”
Minister Rogers spoke at length of plans to develop the island’s health services and the need to have the necessary finance. He pledged his support to this cause both as the Minister of Health and a healthcare professional. “I am a health rat”, he declared, stressing his commitment to the development of Anguilla’s healthcare services.
Responding, Mrs. Demis-Adams said in part: “My heart is one of a public servant, fostered by a love for Anguilla, a country that made me who I am today… Many of you can attest to the fact that I Iove all things health. Healthcare is my vocation. I believe that God has a purpose for each of us, and it is my purpose to do everything in my power to improve the health of the people of Anguilla.
“As the CEO of the Health Authority of Anguilla, my commitment is to ensure that the organisation lives up to our mission. It is a mission of providing high quality, compassionate, accessible, affordable healthcare to the communities we serve through the use of appropriate technologies [such as] our new CT-Scan, our new incubator and several other pieces of new equipment we purchased recently. To use these technologies, we need a team of highly-trained, motivated professionals working in partnership with our stakeholders.”
During the ceremony the Chairman of the Health Authority, Mr. Fritz Smith, assisted by Board Member and former Health Administrator, Mrs. Serene Carter-Davis, presented a token of appreciation to the celebrated CEO.
