At the end of November, a healthcare stalwart leaves the corridors of the Health Services Authority (HSA), as Dr. Hazel Brown, chief nursing officer, retires after a long and meaningful career.
CAREER PROGRESSION
Dr. Brown knew she wanted to be a nurse at 4 years old, and by age 15 was working at the HSA as a healthcare aide.
“The day that I walked into the hospital I knew that I had found my place and there was no looking back,” she says.
After serving as a healthcare aide, Dr. Brown moved through many other nursing positions, becoming a registered nurse, overall supervisor, school nurse, school health coordinator, quality assurance coordinator/infection control practitioner and senior nursing officer for community health, before spending the last 18 years as chief nursing officer.
Her present role has her overseeing 200 nurses and managing the nursing, porter and dietary services at the HSA. She also has the important role of advising the Ministry of Health on nursing matters.
MUTUAL RESPECT
Dr. Brown fully recognises the input others have had in her career, especially now that she is retiring.
“I’m leaving you, but I’m taking each of you with me,” she recently told her nursing managers.
“Because each nurse has contributed, in some way large or small, to my journey, to my success, to my accomplishments. Nothing I have done has been alone. Everything I have accomplished has been with the support of a very solid team.”
The respect is mutual, with colleagues such as Joanna Rose-Wright, nurse manager of Primary Health Care Services, heaping praise on Dr. Brown.
“She is a consummate professional with an extraordinary passion for nursing. Having her as an example has motivated myself and other staff to consistently contribute our best effort to this noble profession,” Joanna says, noting, as well, Hazel’s proficiency during the upheaval of the pandemic.
“During the COVID pandemic Dr. Brown demonstrated exemplary leadership skills as she led the nursing staff – public health nurses, nurse managers, and other nursing staff – through that unprecedented period. She will leave a legacy that will be honoured for years.”
These thoughts are echoed by Dr. Samuel Williams Rodriguez, director of primary health care/medical officer of health.
“I have always admired her passion for public health as well as her professionalism and capacity; a fast and logical thinker, who is not afraid to express her views and opinions,” he says. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was an essential part of the public health response.”
Lizzette Yearwood, HSA CEO, worked with Dr. Brown for the last 28 years, and personally witnessed how far she progressed local nursing.
“Dr. Hazel Brown has been a pioneer in Cayman’s public health and nursing community,” she says. “[She] will definitely leave a legacy behind at the HSA and we thank her for her years of service.”
MONUMENTAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Many progressions within the HSA have left Dr. Brown feeling proud during her time there. Recovery efforts after Hurricane Ivan, as well as advancements in nursing education (including the School of Nursing), changes to the Health Practice Law allowing the Nursing and Midwifery Council to award the title Registered Nurse, and establishment and growth of the Women’s Health Service are a few.
The School Health Programme features as a particular point of pride.
“After receiving a master’s degree in community health nursing, with a concentration on paediatric primary healthcare, I returned as a school nurse,” she says. “A year later I was appointed as the School Health Coordinator, where I started the development of the School Health Programme in Cayman with guidance from Dr. Kiran Kumar, former Medical Officer of Health.”
Outside of work, Dr. Brown enjoys gardening – she is current president of the Orchid Society – and is also an active Rotary member. A busy and fruitful career has left her with one aim for her retirement – “Rest!”
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