Three nurses recognized for outstanding service

Nurse Althea Phillip worked as a nurse for 48 years
Nurse Althea Phillip worked as a nurse for 48 years

Three nurses have been awarded for their outstanding performance in the nursing profession in Dominica

Jennifer Xavier, Susan Sampson and Althea Phillip have all been honoured at a ceremony held at the Public Service Union Building on Thursday. The event formed part of Nurses’ Week now being observed on the island.

Speaking at the ceremony, Principal Nursing Officer, Caesarina Ferrol, said that nurses deserved to be recognised for their continued invaluable contributions towards the profession and the development of Dominica.

Nurse Althea Phillip, also known as Sally, received the award for outstanding contribution to Maternal and Child Health Services.

Phillip commenced her general nursing practice in the 1960’s at the Princess Margaret Hospital. She was appointed a district nurse in 1970 and worked in several districts including  La Plaine, Grand Bay, St Joseph and Roseau.

She is the only nurse that can insert intra-uterine contraceptive devices.

Nurse Sampson served as a nurse for over 30 years
Nurse Sampson served as a nurse for over 30 years

Phillip noted that she felt happy that she has been recognised for all her hard work through the years. “I have been a nurse for 48 years and I love nursing,” she said. “I enjoy it and have the passion for it. I encourage the younger ones to have passion and love for the profession and treat the customers well. There should be a change of attitude toward the customer and we should always show them love and make them feel welcome.”

Phillip currently works on contract with the Government of Dominica.

Nurse Jennifer Xavier received her award for outstanding contribution to Neonatal Nursing Services.

Xavier entered the nursing program in 1968 and was deployed at Portsmouth hospital as a registered nurse for six months.

In 1971 she was sent to work on the maternity unit and remained there until she pursued the midwifery program in 1972. After completion, she completed a six-month crash course in the psychiatric ward.

In October 1973, Nurse Xavier was transferred to the neonatal unit where she functioned as Registered Nurse Midwife and became the Charge Nurse for that unit in 1974. Xavier also served as Ward Sister and Clinical Nurse Practitioner. It is said she managed the Neonatal ward “with an iron fist” ensuring that staff delivered optimum care to the newly born babies in their care.

Nurse Susan Sampson was also recognised for her contribution to Midwifery Services. She began her nursing studies in November 1972 and graduated in 1976. She pursued the post basic midwifery program, in 1979 and graduated a year later.  She served as Ward Sister and is best known for being an advocate for breastfeeding.

Her perseverance helped Dominica attain ‘baby friendly status,’ a UNICEF initiative.

Speaking to media at the end of the ceremony, Nurse Sampson said she felt good about being recognized. “It is always good to be awarded but the most important award comes from God,” she stated. “However I am really delighted to have received this award.”

She went on to say that she has touched a lot of lives through her service as a nurse and encouraged other nurses to continue working hard. “Continue to study to improve yourself and apply theory to the practical and maintain the standards. Always see God in the patients you serve,” she said.

Nurse Sampson is currently on pre-retirement leave and served as a nurse for over 30 years.

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40 Comments

  1. Lindia
    April 19, 2018

    I am very proud of you three.I remember nurse Simpson on Stronach ward, being the best she could have been.worked with a smile, compassion and dignity. Those days were days full of joy.We enjoyed coming to work.We treated each other with respect. You look very good in your retirement Nurse Simpson.Msy God continue to shine I. You.Please pass on the baton to the younger nurses .

  2. MISS D
    May 12, 2013

    congrats to you dear sweet nurse you must have been the very best and to rule with an iron fist in today’s society you had to be a woman of great strength, respect and putting your feet in others shoes. you reminded me of my sweet nurse Maria Moise of Petite Savanne. God’s blessings on you and may you continue to live a healthy life..

  3. Anonymous
    May 10, 2013

    Awesome work grandma Philip I’m very happy to see your success

  4. Anonymous
    May 10, 2013

    GreAt job grandma philip I love your grandson

  5. My two cents
    May 10, 2013

    Congrats to Nurse Sally you gave service from the heart to your patients you were my midwife to my two children 30 something years ago I thank God for meeting a nurse like you at the hospital, I hope that some of the young nurses would take a page out of your compassion, love, patience, the successful service you have given to the community of Dominica, may God continue to bless you in your retirement.

  6. jj
    May 10, 2013

    :-D :-D :-D Congratulations to my dearest doo doo Nurse Phillip[> You are an angel. That smile is so lovely. Congrats to Nurse Sampson for her great work on the maternity ward. I will always remember her caring and competence when I was having my one and only. Next time I hope you all get cruises as your awards.

  7. Kersh
    May 10, 2013

    Congratulations Aunty Sally. After 48years in the service you continue to go above and beyond. Keep up the great work. Love u

  8. tamisha
    May 10, 2013

    Congralations nurse Phillip. This award has been long overdue. Anyone who knows you know the great work you have done and continue to do even after you have retired.

    Keep doing a great job

  9. Christine
    May 10, 2013

    Congratulations to all the wonderful nurses…espiecally to my lovely aunty Sally,nurse phillip. Outstanding in all ways..best role model ever…Thank you…love you!!!

  10. Dr. Sam
    May 10, 2013

    Heartfelt congratulations to all three nurses on recognition of your wonderful accomplishments through the years. You are a shining example to the nursing profession in particular, and the medical profession in general – especially Sr. Sam who I happen to know better: your faith shines brilliantly in all you do!

    Blessings all!

  11. Hmmm
    May 10, 2013

    Congratulations to all especially Nrse Xavier and Sampson. Don’t know Phillip but I bet you are great also.

  12. Anonymous
    May 10, 2013

    Congratulation nurse Sally…you are the best….luv ya..

  13. Double D
    May 9, 2013

    Congrats to you nursing stalwarts. I had the opportunity to work with the 3 of you and I consider myself blessed. Aunty Sally you are the best! Sr Xavier ran NNU with an iron fist and I am where I am today with her encouragement and blessings. Sr Sam, breastfeeding sister. Keep the passion alive. May God grant you all long life and bountiful blessings.

  14. Justice and Truth
    May 9, 2013

    Congratulations to you, nurses, for dedicated work. To those who will retire soon, happy retirement with health and strength. God bless!

  15. Anonymous
    May 9, 2013

    congrats to sister sam

  16. merl
    May 9, 2013

    Yes Sister sam you deserved it. Real worker and advocate

  17. May 9, 2013

    Congratulations to you Nurse Sampson. My wife Yvette Charles Rolle worked with you at PMH before she migrated to Houston Texas USA in 1984. We are proud of you Sampson and although aged a bit you still look friendly, warm and attractive.

    Love from Vincent Rolle & Yvette Charles Rolle, Houston, Texas.

  18. advocate1
    May 9, 2013

    nurse philip u were a real mentor to me thanks for molding me

  19. faceup
    May 9, 2013

    Hoping that you would have stated how much you hated working at that neglected hospital, so sad!!Congrats anyway.

    • Anonymous
      May 10, 2013

      She would not state that because she was about serving and helping people in need. Something that’s badly missing from the profession today.

      • Faceup
        May 10, 2013

        You mean from the profession from that hospital in D.A.

  20. celia
    May 9, 2013

    I im not surprised you were always a brainy girl at school. I love you nurse Phillip. YOU helped my kids a lot.

  21. NEWTOWN
    May 9, 2013

    Congratulations to nurse Sally Phillip. We are all so proud of you. CELEBRATE!!!!

  22. yeah
    May 9, 2013

    great work nurse althea Phillip. you are the best.

  23. Midwife
    May 9, 2013

    Congrats Sr. Sampson. You believe in doing things right and doing them properly. I thank you for trying to instill those virtues in me.

  24. Private
    May 9, 2013

    Good to know and pleased Sampson has retired…

  25. Naomie
    May 9, 2013

    Congrats to the three nursing pioneers. I knew nurse Sally as a child in sen joe.Sisters Sam and xavier while doing midwifery in 97-98.Thanks for your support and guidance. You three deserve the award. You three taught me the art of dedication and caring as a nurse.

  26. Anonymous
    May 9, 2013

    Congrats to the nurses. Well done

  27. KD
    May 9, 2013

    Congratulations to Mrs. Xavier a.k.a Sister Xavier on her achievements and recognition in her field. Sister Xavier is a diligent, motivated and disciplined individual whose work ethics reflected on the way she ran her department (efficiently and effectively). Her confidence, commitment, intuition and ability to inspire those around her accentuate the fact that her professionalism should be a guiding tool for the younger generation. Sister Xavier is also recognized as a wonderful mother and pillar of support for her family including her husband, sons and grandchild.

    Let’s face it; the nurses in our society are a backbone to our medical system! Therefore whenever an individual with these qualities is recognized, we the Dominican community MUST be proud. Congratulations once more to Nurse Jennifer Xavier.

  28. FROM MAHAUT WITH LUV
    May 9, 2013

    Congratulations to Nurse Sampson. More Nurses should take a page from your carrier book. Mahaut has produced some effecient nurses. Some stayed, others moved on. In due time People like Nurse Esprit and the others will get their recongnition too.

  29. Morne Pros
    May 9, 2013

    Well deserved and congrats to the nurses. Nice to see you Nurse Phillip, I will forever remember you. God Bless.

  30. May 9, 2013

    Congratulations to Nurse Philip.. 48 yrs in the profession and still going strong

  31. manogenius
    May 9, 2013

    Nurse Phillip had received an award of topping her class at regional nursing exams. She is the daughter of the late Emmanuel ” Mano ” Phillip from Victoria Street Newtown who was considered as a genius at the Old Roseau Boys School located in Newtown during the 1920’s period.

    Well done Sally you are a star in this most noble profession. My only hope is that you don’t die with this rare skill. Please pass it on to others. It is a blessing to have you as a great servant of Dominica and I hope you get a MSA come November 3rd 2013.

    The brilliance of your very gifted family continues in so many different fields in Dominica and beyond whether it is in Medicine, Nursing, law , education , business etc.

    Congratulations to you and your families / people of Canefield Roger and Newtown and all the other nurses retired and current. There are other retired nurses who are also desiring and I hope in time their efforts shall rewarded. WE love your passion , intelligence , skills and humility, such a dedicated and disciplined nurse.

  32. Chris Parillon
    May 9, 2013

    Congratulations to my dear friend nurse Sue Sampson. A well deserved honour. I speak not only as a friend but as a former patient whom you provided excellent care for. Congrats to the other nurses as well.

  33. sampson's niece
    May 9, 2013

    congratulations aunty susan on ur achievement

  34. Sue
    May 9, 2013

    God Bless all the nusres, hello to my cousin Susan we love you in NJ. You really work hard and God know you have safe lives, Love you cousin.
    I wish Auntie was there she would be smiling.

  35. Colbert Pinard
    May 9, 2013

    Congratulations Nurse Sampson.On 01 May 1977 you administered some 21 stitches to my wounds after you cleaned the sand.I always remember your great service and care on that day .

    • Mouche meil
      May 9, 2013

      2 Two yrs post SMA graduation the Lt elbow Colbe
      fellow student 205 1975.lol Guess who!
      clue atoms add up to form?

      • colbert pinard
        May 10, 2013

        Mouche Mell must be a scientist/politician from Roseau Central.

        Trouble

  36. Anonymous
    May 9, 2013

    Yeah Nurse Sampson

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