A wave of relief washed over Dr Kimone Young as the crown was placed on her head, a moment that marked not just a personal triumph, but the beginning of a national mission to champion kidney wellness.

“All the hard work paid off,” shared Young, her face still lit with joy. The moment was made even more special as 2024 Cosmos Queen Kaydia McKoy, the very person who inspired Dr Young to enter the pageant, handed over the coveted crown.

For Young, holding the title transcends personal recognition.

“It means I now have the ability to reach a wider audience and raise greater awareness about kidneys,” she explained. “I can use my voice in a bold, loud, and strong way.”

Beyond advocacy, the crown symbolises her deep commitment to community service in Jamaica and her dedication to empowering women to lead with courage and compassion.

Overcoming challenges and embracing change

Like any meaningful journey, the road to the crown wasn’t without its challenges. For Young, two hurdles stood out: preparing her business plan and silencing the voice of self-doubt.

“There were moments when uncertainty and fear crept in,” she admitted. “I had to constantly remind myself to walk in grace and step forward with confidence.”

One defining moment during her pageant preparation changed everything. Initially, her business proposal focused on launching a holistic health centre. But after a thought-provoking conversation with business leader Ms Jai, Young experienced a shift. She began to reflect on her father, her uncle, and the many patients she’d treated who were unaware of kidney disease or their own risk factors.

With this renewed clarity, she restructured her proposal, placing kidney health in front and center. Her revised plan now aims to educate individuals, especially those with a family history of kidney disease, about prevention through proper diet, exercise, and awareness.

Inspiring women, empowering professionals

Young’s win is already creating ripples of inspiration—especially among women and healthcare workers.

“My patients now see me as their advocate,” she says. “And for my fellow healthcare professionals, this win shows that your job title doesn’t define your potential. You can always do more. This victory has shown women they can be leaders, entrepreneurs and nurturers, all while holding true to who they are. You can lead with strength and still carry yourself with grace. You can wear many hats and still be authentic.”

As Cosmos Queen 2025, Young’s message is one of empowerment and she never strays far from her core mission: “Take care of your kidneys, they are central to maintaining a clean, healthy body.”

The power of support and the road ahead

Young credits her title sponsor Kohler with elevating her experience both in pageantry and in life. She shared that their support helped her adopt a more premium, forward-thinking mindset while still staying grounded in service and humility.

“Kohler represents luxury meeting leisure, and I’ve embraced that,” she says. “I’ve learned to enjoy the finer things in life while staying relatable and true to myself. The strong, inspiring women I met through Kohler helped shape this chapter of my journey.”

Balancing her demanding role at Kingston Public Hospital with her pageant responsibilities requires intentionality, open communication, and clear boundaries — all in service of a mission greater than herself. Young’s reign as Cosmos Queen Jamaica 2025 promises to be a period of significant advocacy and empowerment, shedding a much-needed light on kidney health while inspiring women across Jamaica and beyond to embrace their full potential.

Dr Kimone Young, newly crowned Cosmos Queen of Jamaica 2025, celebrates her win with title sponsor Kohler.