‘We pray together, cry together’

“Shocked and humbled” are the emotions expressed by Lennox Wallace, parish manager of St James Health Services, when he was declared Civil Servant of the Year 2022 in the Management Category at the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel in St Andrew on Friday.

Wallace, who has 28 years under his belt in the public health sector, said that up to the point when he was announced as the winner in the category, he was still unaware of who had nominated him for the award.

“So it shows that someone has been looking on at the work I have been doing. I want to give this award to the 580 members of the St James Health Department. They would have motivated me every day to come out and to work. They are the people who drive me. I feel humbled and happy and also lucky to represent them,” he told The Gleaner on the sidelines of the awards ceremony.

The dedicated public servant says the only jobs he has ever had were with the public health sector, where he started as a public health inspector in 1992.

“I want to encourage my teammates and the wider public sector to just continue to work hard and serve; you also will be recognised.”

Discussing the motivation behind the yeoman service he offers, Wallace says he has been a member of the Kiwanis Club of Montego Freeport for more than 20 years.

“In these places, you get to meet the movers and shakers in St James. All the time, a phone call goes before a letter, so sometimes as far as procurement is concerned, it’s easier to beg a washing machine [or] it’s easier to beg a microwave than to go through the procurement process,” he said.

Wallace hailed the business community in St James for their contribution to the health department in the parish.

As part of his achievements over the period under review, Wallace and his management team have made strides in improving some 17 health centres.

He said that millions of dollars have been spent on the health facilities in St James over the last year.

Wallace said that steps have also been made to reduce overcrowding at the facilities and increased funds have been collected from businesses and other entities that access services from the health department.

“I am truly blessed to have some good management staff. We pray together, we cry together, and sometimes I am the consoler-in-chief. I have attended so many funerals since I have been in that post, but we attend the weddings, too; we attend the birth of kids, so it’s a mixed bag. I don’t shy away from anything,” he told The Gleaner.

The Civil Servant of the Year Award in the Middle Management Category went to Oliver Morris, a customer service officer at the Administrator General’s Department (AGD), who says he serves passionately.

Morris, who has worked in the public sector for 29 years, says he is overwhelmed to have been bestowed the award.

He says the AGD is the only department of its kind in Jamaica and its service to the public is unique.

“Persons come to us in grief, so whatever I can do to assist them to get through this moment of grief, to deal with the assets of their loved ones, I serve with passion. I serve with enthusiasm and it is a joy for me to serve the public.”

As part of his duties, Morris says he interacts with members of the public about estate administration and matters relating to a will and probate.

“I also assist clients within the customer service department in relation to the administration of estates where persons die without a will and are survived by minor beneficiaries,” he added.

Simone Turton, who works at the University Hospital of the West Indies, was the other Civil Servant of the Year awardee in the Technical Support Category. She was unable to attend the ceremony.

However, Sophia Moulton, director of ceremonial operation and staff administration at the Office of the Prime Minister, received the People’s Choice Award.

Her work involves planning and executing all state functions, including visits and funerals. It also includes the planning and execution of all national honours and awards and the Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation and the Jamaica Civil Service Long Service Awards.

“I find the job intriguing and fulfilling. I like to serve and what I do, I just want my country to be proud,” she said.

Moulton told The Gleaner that she was appreciative and humbled by the recognition from her colleagues in the civil service.

“I value teamwork and I know that there is nothing we do in the Protocol Department that was not supported by a great team from every ministry and department in Jamaica.”

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com