St. Jude Hospital on fire (2009)
PRESS RELEASE - The full moon of the night of Monday September 8th 2014 marked the beginning of the 5th anniversary of a tragic night, September 9, 2009.
On that night five years ago, a different glow lit up the night sky. The fierce fire that started in the surgical ward and took the lives of three persons, left the hospital in ruins.
There were many heroes that night who responded immediately with passion and heroism. This was inclusive of staff and a tremendous community effort.
The outpouring of support from the staff, local community, nation and international friends and benefactors of St. Jude Hospital was the major driving force that ultimately resulted in our survival.
This support has continued in the days, months and years after the fire and has continued to this day.
The George Odlum National Stadium has been transformed by the St. Jude Hospital staff into a fully operational hospital effectively serving the needs of the people of the southern half of the island.
Like in most disasters, support for the day to day operations of the hospital has tapered off somewhat. Much of the external support has understandingly been focused on the rebuilding effort.
Although St. Jude Hospital continues to face a myriad of these day to day operational challenges at the Stadium, the staff remains focused on improving the care and service provided to the community that that we serve.
The people who constitute the workforce of St Jude Hospital are a special group of individuals. They are a family in many cases having bonds with many generations working over the years at the hospital.
Many staff willingly work long hours to ensure that the St. Jude community receives the best care that can be offered. This is done within the normally stressful conditions of a hospital magnified by the less than desirable conditions of the Stadium.
Service is usually provided with a smile and a calm and pleasant demeanor. St. Jude Hospital has provided an opportunity for many individuals to grow professionally within the institution.
We salute today, on the 5th anniversary of the St Jude Hospital fire, the unsung heroes who continue to provide superlative care on a daily basis to the people that we serve.