Immediate past President of the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association (JMDA), Dr Mindi Fitz-Henley walked away with the coveted President’s Award at this year’s staging of the Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ) banquet which was held at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in St Andrew on Saturday night.

Dr Fitz-Henley was recognised for her stellar leadership of the JMDA and general contribution to the medical fraternity, in particular during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she was at the helm of the Medical Doctor’s Association which she served for two consecutive terms.

“In recognition of you unwavering dedication and commitment to the advancement of the medical profession in Jamaica and for your exemplary advocacy and representation of your colleagues,” the MAJ President’s Award citation read.

MAJ President Dr Leslie Meade lauded Fitz-Henley for what he described as her steadfast and successful representation of her colleagues during the public sector wage restructuring negotiations, persistent lobbying for retroactive payments and contribution to keeping the tourism sector alive during the pandemic.

Dr Meade commended the immediate past JMDA president for her “inspirational leadership” during the pandemic and general service to the vocation overall.

Dr Fitz-Henley’s parents, renowned dermatologist Dr Michael Fitz-Henley and educator Marie Fitz-Henley; her fiance, businessman Brandon Chang; siblings attorney/corporate executive Michelle Fitz-Henley and cosmetologist Melanie Fitz-Henley; along with her cousins, Senator Abka Fitz-Henley and consultant Nicole Ebanks, were on hand to cheer her on as she accepted the President’s Award to rousing applause from attendees at the banquet.

Fitz-Henley, who had practised as a general practitioner but is now an accomplished psychiatrist, thanked the MAJ for the recognition and encouraged her colleagues to continue serving their country and doing their best for patients.

“First and foremost, I want to thank God, without his guidance, strength and grace, I would not be here today. In the moments of challenges and standing up for what’s right, it has always been my faith that kept me grounded and gave me courage. I stand here today with immense gratitude and deep humility as I accept the President’s Award. To be recognised as one of the youngest recipients of this prestigious award, is not just a personal milestone, it is a testament to the strength resilience and collaboration of my colleagues which defined one of the most challenging periods in modern history”, Fitz-Henley told the gathering as she accepted the accolade.

Doctors Anna Brown-Morgan, Judy Tapper, Pauline Weir, Althea Aquart-Stewart, Marcia Campbell-Johnson, Garth Rattary, Leroy Hayman, Richard Hall, Judith Neatly Roberts and Professor Lawson Douglas were among the MAJ ‘Recognition Awardees’ at the banquet which was moderated by prominent gynaecologist, Dr Michael Abrahams.