On Heroes Day in October, Patsy Edwards Henry, president of the Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ), would have wanted to see history being created with the 50 nurses she and her team nominated for national honours and awards this year, collecting medals for their 30 years and more of service to the nation.

Edwards Henry told The Gleaner on Sunday that this was the first time her organisation would have been nominating nurses in bulk for the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service (BH{L}), and they now feel disappointed as only the three persons with more than 40 years of service were selected from the group.

“I think it is a sort of throw in the face and I do feel disappointed, because over the years we’ve never been recognised, and this is a start, and I do acknowledge and we’re grateful for the start. But we would have wished that even those who have served 35 years and above, would have been included in this cohort,” Edwards Henry said.

“So, we’re a little disappointed, but still grateful that we have got our foot in the door; so we will continue to push and ask for recognition of our nurses,” she said.

On the occasion of the 61st anniversary of Independence on Sunday, in the category of Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service (BH{L}), four nurses - Christine Johnson-Wilson, Angela Thomas, Lorna Thompson and Claudia Wallen, who have 41 years, 42 years, 42 years and 47 years, respectively, in service to hospitals in Jamaica - were announced for award.

To add more honour to the nursing profession, one of the NAJ’s former presidents, Carmen Johnson, will also be awarded an Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer (OD), and Laverna Campbell with a Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service.

In commenting on the nurses who will be awarded but were not among the NAJ’s nominees, Edwards Henry said, “We are grateful and happy for those [as well].”

Amid the disappointment, Edwards Henry also congratulated the other 121 persons who have been named recipients of national honours and awards.

“We congratulate those who have been selected,” she said.