Nurse Romalia (at centre) is flanked by government officials present for the renaming ceremony. Photo: GIS

Nurse Romalia Smith poses in front of the newly renamed clinic in her honour. Photo: GIS

Following the dedication ceremony, Nurse Smith in her response detailed her journey in being the only nurse available and willing to provide healthcare services in Anegada.

She said that services had improved over the years and she looks forward to even better things for the residents of the Sister Island.

Commemoration

Nurse Smith also used the occasion to respond with a special presentation to nurses who were present at the event and her granddaughter who promised to follow in her footsteps.

Present for the dedication ceremony was recently minted, Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) said that such commemoration serves as a means to keep alive the memory of those persons who gave of their intellects and resources to provide life-saving care to the people of our Territory.

According to a Government Information Service (GIS) press statement on Monday, Nurse Romalia Smith served as the District Nurse for over 26 years and continued to provide services even after her retirement by doing house calls to residents and current medical staff at the clinic.

The Health Minister in his presentation to those gathered stated that Nurse Romalia’s character is of a generation who, throughout the VI, “fought against incredible odds to build the foundation of the society.”

Patriot

According to Minister Penn, “she is described by those who know her as a phenomenal woman, mother, friend, nurse and a true Virgin Islands patriot. The diligence, devotion and generosity she embodied throughout many years of public service, and even in retirement, is a true testament of her genuine love for the people of Anegada and the entire Virgin Islands”

Minister Penn went on to explain that the Anegada Clinic became the Territory’s only health facility aside from Peebles Hospital to be designated as a SMART facility in line with the ‘safe and green’ standards established by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

“It is no coincidence that both facilities largely withstood the severe weather events of 2017. Being a strong facility, it is also quite fitting that it should bear the name of a strong and noble woman,” He further added.

Presentations were also had by outgoing Premier Dr. Honourable D. Orlando Smith, (AL); Ninth District Representative, Dr. the Honourable Hubert O’Neal and Leader of Opposition and former Health Minister, Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) who also presented Nurse Romalia with the newly published Nursing in the Virgin Islands (UK) A Historical Perspective (1920-2017) written by local registered nurse Ms. Norma M. Benjamin.

New Sign

Flower bouquets and an award were also presented to Nurse Romalia and a new building sign revealed ‘Nurse Romalia Smith Clinic’. 

The invocation and dedication prayer was led by Dr Charles Wheatley and Historical Perspective was done by Acting Public Health Communications Specialist, Adrianna J. Soverall. 

The event was chaired by Chief Executive Officer of the BVI Health Services Authority, Dr  Ronald E. Georges.