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5 D R ANDRÉ Dick has been ap- pointed senior vice-president (SVP) and surgeon-in-chief at Seattle Children’s Hospital in Washington. Dr Dick was among three appointments announced to the organisation’s executive leader- ship team in January following their interim service in the roles, a release from the hospital noted. DR Jeff Sperring, chief executive of- ficer of Seattle Children’s Hospital, said of the appointments: “A key pillar in the success of any organisation is largely based on the strength and values of its leadership. “I am proud to work alongside these three leaders as each is uniquely qual- ified to help fulfil and further our mis- sion and ensure we are here to serve patients and families today and for generations to come.” Dr Dick, who is of Jamaican herit- age, has served at Seattle Children’s Hospital since 2008, first as a surgeon in the Division of Transplant Surgery, then in 2016 as surgical director of Kidney Transplantation. In 2017, he became clinical director for the sur- gical inpatient unit, and in 2020 was appointed associate surgeon-in-chief. Dick accepted the role of interim SVP and surgeon-in-chief in April 2021. He is also an associate professor of surgery at the University of Washington (UW). A champion of addressing racism and promoting an inclusive culture, Dick is an inaugural co-DEI (diver- sity, equity and inclusion) adviser to the American Society of Transplant Surgeons executive council, and is also co-leading Children’s Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (HEDI) educa- tion and leadership committee, which is focused on providing anti-racism education and training opportunities for our workforce, the release noted further. As surgeon-in-chief, he is responsible for Seattle Children’s Hospital surgical operations, ensuring all aspects of op- erative care function safely, equitably and efficiently. He will also focus on addressing the impact of social deter- minants of health (SDOH) to deliver more equitable care to the patients and their families, as well as expanding the organisation’s clinical capacity. FT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA: TWO JAMAICANS residing in South Florida received special honours on Martin Luther King Day, January 17. STEVE HIGGINS and Carson ‘Eddy’ Edwards both accepted the special awards “in recognition of outstanding and invaluable service to the com- munity” at the inaugural ‘Rise with Perspective – Living in Gratitude Today’ symposium held in Davie, Florida. The symposium, the brainchild of Nouchelle Hastings, has as its mis- sion,“to show how living in gratitude today can improve your mental health and self-esteem, so that you can create a life you love”. “MLK Day is the only federal holi- day designated as a National Day of Service, to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communi- ties,”said Hastings. “So, we selected this commemorative moment to recognise the dedication and commitment of per- sons whose lives are the epitome of living in gratitude today! Their selfless acts of kindness are gratifying in so many ways,”she said. The award was given under the auspices of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and was presented by Mayor of Davie Judy Paul, who thanked Higgins for “bringing service to the elderly, the sick and especially our children in need and for sharing your golden voice”. This signature event was put on by an entire team of gratitude champions and was hosted by Davie chamber ex- ecutive director, Raphael Walters. Fifteen residents of Broward County were honoured at the event which saw motivational presentations from fea- tured speakers. Higgins, a resident of Davie, also received a proclamation from the Davie Jazz Society for his contribution to the organisation. He is a singer (tenor), Jamaican cultural ambassador andmu- sician who, throughout the pandemic, brought joy tomany through his music at numerous events. His community involvement ranges from performing for medical frontline staff at hospitals to kids at children’s homes, at civic functions and the broader South Florida community. He is the founding director of the South Florida Caribbean Chorale and chair- man for Partners For Youth Foundation (501c3) He volunteers as a Guardian ad Litem for the 17th Judicial Circuit in Broward County. Eddy Edwards is a marketing exec- utive at Riddims Marketing, a radio personality, vice-chair for Partners For Youth Foundation, and CEO of the Jamaican Jerk Festival USA, which hosts the largest food festival annually in South Florida. Two Jamaicans recognised for ‘outstanding’ community service From left: Carson ‘Eddy’ Edwards and Steve Higgins. CONTRIBUTED Dr André Dick appointed surgeon-in-chief at Seattle Children’s Hospital THE WEEKLY GLEANER | FEBRUARY 3 - 28, 2022 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS