Sandy Crest celebrates two decades of service

What began with late-night conversations about establishing a private emergency care facility on Barbados’ West Coast was celebrated two decades later in the company of those who helped build it, healthcare professionals, government officials, staff and friends.

Sandy Crest Medical Centre marked its 20th anniversary on August 23 with a gala that brought together past and present members of the institution as it reflected on its beginnings, recognised those who contributed to its development and looked towards its next chapter.

Among those attending was Attorney General Wilfred Abrahams, himself a former director of Sandy Crest, who was accompanied by his wife. Several prominent healthcare professionals and other officials were also among the guests for the milestone celebration.

Managing Director Brian Charles used the occasion to recall that the idea for Sandy Crest took shape in 2004 when a university friend and fellow doctor asked what he thought, as an emergency physician, about establishing a private emergency care facility on the West Coast.

He recalled spending “many a long night” with shareholder Alex McDonald discussing whether such a venture was feasible before they decided to move ahead and brought the other shareholders on board.

“We wanted to create a medical facility that combined clinical excellence with genuine compassion, where every patient would receive timely, professional care and be treated with dignity, respect, and kindness,” Charles said.

Twenty years later, he said that vision remained at the heart of the institution.

What began primarily as an emergency and urgent care facility has since expanded to include comprehensive family wellness services, while Sandy Crest has also moved into education and professional development through its training division.

But much of the anniversary evening was devoted not to services or expansion, but to the people behind the institution.

Charles paid tribute to shareholders and past and present directors, as well as physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, administrative employees, receptionists, drivers, cleaners, maintenance and security personnel.

“The healthcare profession is unlike any other. It demands technical expertise, emotional resilience, patience, sacrifice, and an extraordinary commitment to others,” he said.

“While many people are asleep, our teams continue to care for patients. While families celebrate holidays, birthdays, and special occasions, our staff are often at work ensuring that someone else’s loved one receives the care they deserve.”

Several individuals were recognised during the gala for their years of service to Sandy Crest, with Charles describing the awards as symbolic of the institution’s appreciation for their commitment and sacrifice.

“No plaque, certificate, or gift can fully measure years of commitment, sacrifice, loyalty, and hard work,” he said.

The occasion also provided a moment to remember those who had contributed to Sandy Crest over the years but were no longer part of the institution, including former employees who had retired or moved on and those who had died.

“Their legacy lives on in the standards they helped establish, the lives they touched, and the example they set for those who followed,” Charles said.

As Sandy Crest enters its third decade, Charles said the institution would continue to evolve as technology advances and patients’ expectations change.

But amid that evolution, he said its central focus would remain unchanged.

“You have helped build more than a medical centre. You have helped build a trusted institution that has become an integral part of healthcare in Barbados.”

(BT)