September 21 was a special day for Dr Rose Marie Adamson-Lewis, past president of the Jamaica Diaspora Southern USA (JADIAS). Her contribution to causes in her homeland was recognised by two organisations in New York.

Adamson-Lewis received the Keys to The City of New York from Mayor Eric Adams. She was also presented with a Conscious Clock Award by Dr Hong Tao-Tze, head of the World Peace and Love (FOWPAL).

Both cited Adamson-Lewis’ humanitarian work through Rose’s Garden of Hope Foundation, a non-profit organisation she started in South Florida over 15 years ago.

“None of our projects have been done to any fanfare because we’re not looking for rewards, and I think that’s something they considered. At the same time, this is still a great feeling,” Adamson-Lewis told Observer Online.

It has been an active year for the Manchester-born health care specialist. In July, she collaborated with Carol Hylton of South Florida-based Smiley’s Voice Foundation to bring Dr Norman Ajiboye — head of the neurological department at Hollywood Memorial Hospital in South Florida — to Jamaica where he performed five “critical surgeries” at the University Hospital of the West Indies.

Adamson-Lewis was one of South Florida’s representatives to the Jamaican Diaspora Conference in Montego Bay in June. Along with American Airlines flight attendant Durany Lobban, she was involved in back-to-school initiatives in Spanish Town one month later.

“It’s important to give back to Jamaica, it’s something I feel strongly about. Giving back is a big thing in the Diaspora because it means so much to Jamaicans abroad,” said Adamson-Lewis.

A South Florida resident for 40 years, she holds a doctorate in nursing from the University of Miami. Adamson-Lewis is also a Board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and psychotherapist.