From gut feeling to glory

Professor Adella Campbell, dean of the College of Health Sciences at The University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica, has been shortlisted in three categories for the 2024 Caribbean Global Awards, thanks to her following her “gut feeling”.

After hearing about the competition from a friend, Campbell submitted her portfolio and was shortlisted from 189 entrants, earning a spot in the final.

She is vying for the titles of ‘Global Nurse of the Year’ and ‘Global Health Leader’, as well as an award for excellence in research and academia. In each category, she faces competition from two other professionals.

In an interview with The Gleaner before Saturday’s award ceremony in the UK, Campbell expressed her excitement and humility at the recognition of her work, stating she would not be disappointed if she does not win.

“The thing about it is there are three of us, so one person will win, one will be first runner-up, and one will be second runner-up,” she explained, viewing each placement as a win nonetheless.

Campbell, who was born in Grants Bailey, St Ann, and raised in James Hill, Clarendon, is renowned for her perseverance. After leaving Edwin Allen High School with just one subject, she toiled to ascend the academic ladder.

In addition to serving on numerous committees at UTech and the Nursing Council of Jamaica, she is the author of several peer-reviewed journal articles. In 2007, she held the position of first vice-president of the Nurses Association of Jamaica.

Campbell, who is also a justice of the peace, holds a Bachelor of Laws degree with first-class honours from UTech; a Bachelor of Science in nursing with first-class honours; a Master of Science in nursing with distinction; and a certificate in nursing education with honours from The University of the West Indies, Mona.

She is a registered nurse and a midwife, in addition to having a PhD in nursing from the Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.

When she was invited to return and participate in UTech’s marketing campaign in 2016, she was featured as the face of the Victoria University and she was highlighted on its website as an outstanding alumna.

She told The Gleaner that by following her “gut feeling” she decided to apply for the Caribbean Global Awards.

“I realise that success requires continuous and persistent effort, and I’ve always worked hard and I always say that I do my work as unto the Lord and that’s how I go about [it]. So, I try to do my best or be excellent at whatever I get to do,” she said.

THRILLED WITH MILESTONE

Campbell, who was promoted to professor of nursing last week, said she is even thrilled about everything that is happening in her life and that milestones such as this motivate her to continue making a difference in people’s lives.

The Caribbean Global Awards was founded by Dr Michaelene Holder-March and seeks to honour the exceptional achievements of four individuals from across the world who have impacted change. As the organisation fortifies its connections with the diaspora, they, likewise, acknowledge the African and Latin American communities during the event.

Campbell has presented at numerous conferences at the local, regional and international levels, the most recent one being at the 2nd International Summit on Nursing and Healthcare in France.

Come November, she will be the keynote speaker at the 4th International Conference on Nursing and Women’s Healthcare to be held in Bangkok, Thailand under the theme, ‘Sculpting the future of quality healthcare’.

In 2023, she was recognised by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport for outstanding contribution to the national advancement of STEM.

Campbell also has a reputation for achieving numerous firsts throughout her career.

In 2013, she made history by becoming the first Jamaican nurse to receive a Commonwealth Scholarship, enabling her to pursue a PhD in nursing. With the release of her debut book, The Jamaican Public Health System From the 17th to the 21st Centuries – A Policy and Structural Perspective in 2018, she became the first author to publish with The UTech, Jamaica Press.

Campbell is also the first nurse from the Caribbean to hold the position of dean of a multidisciplinary faculty or college.

She is leaving everything “in the hands of the Lord” and that as the final draws near, she will be fine with whatever happens.

“I have no idea of what’s in store, I’m just going with an open mind,” she added.

asha.wilks@gleanerjm.com