HANOVER, Jamaica — It was a day of double celebration for Edward Cunningham, the parish public health specialist with responsibility for vector control in Hanover, who is not new to the limelight. After over a decade of dedicated service in the parish, Cunningham was named the Public Health Inspector of the Year for the island during the opening ceremony of the Jamaica Association of Public Health Inspectors’ (JAPHI) 80th educational conference.

The milestone event took place at the Grand Palladium Resort and Spa, located at Point in Hanover on Tuesday.

“I would have entered public health in 2014, and in that year, I would have won the award for Public Health Inspector for the parish of Hanover. This year, I have again won that award for the Public Health Inspector for the parish of Hanover, and also the overall award of being the Public Health Inspector for the island of Jamaica, this year,” said an elated Cunningham in an interview with Observer Online after collecting his award.

The selection process for the prestigious national title involves recommendations from each of the island’s 13 parish health departments where peers or supervisors nominate candidates who embody all aspects of public health. A JAPHI committee then reviewed the submissions against predetermined criteria.

Among the areas that Cunningham was recognised for were his professional performance, measurable achievement, innovative problem-solving strategies, outstanding leadership, commitment to mentorship and selfless dedication to protecting the health and wellbeing and the people served.

For Cunningham, receiving the top honour among peers from across the island is a profound privilege.

“I look at the list of individuals that were there, some of them I know personally, and I can say that they work exceptionally hard. For them to have even become winners in their own parishes meant that they really put in a lot of work. For me, it is a distinct privilege, one that I can’t claim just for myself, because there are so many other individuals whom I supervise, those I collaborate with, who really would have helped me to get to this point,” noted Cunningham.

He credits his success to maintaining a resolute focus and finding innovative ways to collaborate beyond the health sector, even when facing identical resources and challenges as his colleagues.

“I think what would have perhaps made the difference about me personally, I think it’s important to give your all when you’re doing something, and to go above and beyond,” Cunningham explained.

“I define the way that I work as being purposeful. I have in mind what I’m trying to accomplish and that’s what I keep focusing on, not necessarily the obstacles, but more so if I face an obstacle, how do I get around it so that I can actually continue to get to the goal,” added Cunningham.

Besides Cunningham, the top food safety officer of the year award went to Danielle McDonald from the Portland Health Department.

President of the Jamaica Association of Public Health Inspectors (JAPHI), O’Neil Brown said these people have worked during the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa and have come out on top “and kudos to Mr Cunningham, who was the public health inspector of the year”.

For his stellar achievements, Cunningham walked away with a haul of prizes, including a trophy for capturing the overall national title, a plaque for reigning supreme in Hanover, a weekend-for-two getaway courtesy of the Grand Palladium, a special gift basket, and a $100,000 cash prize co-sponsored by JAPHI and Stewart’s Auto.