Bellevue Hospital recognises ‘exceptional employee’ with top award

Never, in his wildest dream, had Lueshane Gordon thought he would have become Bellevue Hospital’s Top Performing Staff Member for 2023.

And on Wednesday, although he had been among those shortlisted and interviewed for the award of the over 500 staff members, he was still left shocked when his name was called at the institution’s annual awards ceremony.

He had overtaken other heavyweights, including the individual chosen as the hospital’s Top Doctor for 2023.

Gordon received the Suzette Buchanan Award for Excellence, which is named in honour of the current chief executive officer, with a cash prize of $50,000.

A hospital attendant for seven years, he was also recognised as the Top Performer in his department.

“My emotions ran wild. Little most mi cry. I swear. Out of 500-plus staff members and to know I got the top award, it has to be a very special feeling,” Gordon told The Gleaner after being awarded at the ceremony on the grounds of the hospital.

“I feel great. Excellent! I feel motivated. Even though I’m always motivated, I feel appreciated. I love what I do. I love what I do and this year, I made an effort to uplift myself,” he said.

Gordon said he had his eyes set on the Suzette Buchanan Award for Excellence in years gone by, given that he had also been a finalist three years ago.

Not having been recognised then, he told The Gleaner that he “worked harder” to finally be on top.

“And I made sure the work I put in, [it] shows,” he said.

He said the award has fuelled his drive to achieve his next career goal of becoming a psychiatric nursing aide. This would involve him undergoing a test and training for some four months.

“This year, I’m making that extra step to go [further up],” he said.

Gordon says his career at Bellevue Hospital started at 30 years old at his cousin’s prompting. Seven years later in spite of his struggles, he says he has no regrets.

“It’s a nice work environment and the drive is that I have a family. I have a child to take care of,” he told The Gleaner.

Despite the stigma attached to the Bellevue Hospital and mentally ill patients, he encourages persons who want a job, to apply.

“I’m saying it [because] it’s really an honour working here. Working with the patients, it’s so lovely,” he said.

CEO Buchanan said Gordon was chosen because he is “an exceptional human being”.

“He demonstrates exceptional work ethic. He’s a consistent, high performer and also an exceptional team worker. He gets on very well with his coworkers and just the kind of person that every department loves and respects.

“He is just willing to give a helping hand when he is called upon at any time. He never says ‘no’. He has a proactive attitude towards challenges and is very optimistic and solution-oriented. And he is always willing to go beyond his job responsibility to contribute positively to the workplace culture, and demonstrate his leadership qualities, even though he is a hospital attendant; an exceptional employee and very deserving,” she said.