Yahneake Sterling, Staff Reporter

Carlene Nugent

She has a passion for children. After all, as a child, Carlene Nugent's parents saw to the need of every child and young person in their Victoria community in Clarendon, so caring became natural for her.

The critical care nurse, turned hospital administrator at the Northshore Medical Centre in Florida, says it was the death of her parents at a very young age that cemented her decision to dedicate her life to helping the sick.

"My mother died when I was 10 years old. That affected me, but what really reinforced my need to go into health care and make a difference was when my father died several years later," Mrs. Nugent said. She was 14 at the time.

She studied nursing at the University Hospital of the West Indies and later got her first job at the Bustamante Hospital for Children.

Nursing job

Years later, after pursuing a bachelor's in health service administration and a master's in health care management, she went on to become the first female chief executive officer (CEO) in the Jamaican health system. She first served as CEO for Bustamante Hospital for Children in 1993 (the place where she got her first nursing job). Two years later, she was appointed CEO of the Kingston Public Hospital, which encompassed KPH itself, Bustamante Hospital for Children, Victoria Jubilee Hospital and Mona Rehabilitation Centre.

Though she is no longer actively a nurse, Mrs. Nugent has found a way to still participate in health care. Today, she is a member of the Caribbean Heart Menders Association (CHMA) that provide surgeries for children with congenital heart disease.

Congenital heart disease

She joined the group three years ago in a bid to make a difference in the lives of the children who are diagnosed with congenital heart disease.

"When I was approached by the CHMA, it was clearly a no-brainer. This way I can best serve my country. Even though I am living away, a part of my heart is in Jamaica and will always be," Mrs. Nugent told Flair.

On their last visit to Jamaica, the CHMA brought close to US$20,000 worth of medical supplies to the island.

The group plans to return to Jamaica between March and April next year to perform more surgeries. The CHMA was formed in 1994 and has been coming to Jamaica since 1997.