Nurse Claudette Powell Celebrated for National Honour

Registered nurse Claudette Powell has been conferred with the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer (OD) by the Government of Jamaica in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the Jamaican Diaspora and her enduring commitment to community service and healthcare.

Nurse Powell was among 41 distinguished Jamaicans recognized with the national honour at the National Honours and Awards ceremony held at King’s House on Sunday, October 19, National Heroes Day. The prestigious recognition celebrates her years of dedication to volunteerism, leadership and service to others, particularly within the Jamaican Diaspora.

The milestone was further celebrated later that evening at a planned reception at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, where family members, friends and associates travelled from Jamaica and overseas to honour the accomplished nurse and share in the occasion.

The gathering brought together well-wishers from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, reflecting the breadth of Nurse Powell’s relationships and the impact of her work across communities.

Among those extending congratulations was Her Excellency Lady Allen, who praised Nurse Powell’s commitment to Jamaica and her dedication to service. “That’s the woman she is and we’re proud of you and congratulate you,” Lady Allen remarked, affirming that the national honour was well deserved.

Former Health Minister Dr. Fenton Ferguson was also among the distinguished guests in attendance. He commended Nurse Powell for the significant work she has undertaken over the years. “Nurse Powell has done tremendous work over a certain period of time and I salute her on this national honour,” Ferguson said.

Dr. Rose Green of the Jamaica Nurses Group of New York opened the evening’s tributes, lauding Nurse Powell’s exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to service.

The celebration began with a meet-and-greet session, accompanied by music that set a warm and celebratory tone for the evening. It was an opportunity for guests to reconnect, exchange congratulations and reflect on the journey of a woman whose contributions have touched many lives.

Nurse Powell’s husband, Michael, and their children, Keisha and Casey, were present to share in the special occasion.

Her son Casey spoke proudly of his mother’s achievement, describing the award as a meaningful recognition of her service, leadership and commitment to others. He reflected on his mother’s life of distinction and expressed the view that the honour acknowledged the many sacrifices she had made throughout her journey of service.

One of the evening’s memorable moments came when Nurse Powell made her entrance to the podium accompanied by Casey, to the strains of the gospel song I Love You Lord. The moment provided a fitting backdrop for an occasion rooted in gratitude, faith and appreciation.

In her address, Nurse Powell expressed heartfelt thanks to the many people who had gathered to celebrate with her, particularly those who travelled considerable distances to be present.

She also acknowledged the individual who nominated her for the national honour, recognizing that the award represented more than two decades of volunteerism in healthcare. “I give not expecting anything in return but this award is moving. Thank you to the person who nominated me for over 20 years of volunteerism in health,” Nurse Powell said.

Her remarks offered a glimpse into the personal experiences that helped shape her commitment to nursing and community service. Reflecting on her upbringing with a single mother, she spoke about how those formative years influenced her decision to pursue a career dedicated to caring for others.

For Nurse Powell, service has never been solely about recognition or accolades. Rather, it has been about making a difference wherever the opportunity arises.

She encouraged those in attendance to embrace volunteerism, emphasizing that contributing to the well-being of others need not be an overwhelming undertaking.

Nurse Powell reminded guests that even small acts of service can have a meaningful impact, encouraging everyone to do what they can to support others and strengthen their communities.

Her message underscored the spirit of generosity and compassion that has defined her years of involvement in healthcare and community development.

The guest list read like a Who’s Who: Carol Harvey-Richards, Mother of HPM Andrew Holness; Dr. Robert Clarke, Dr. Trevor Dixon, Dr. Gary Rhule, Professor Neville Ying, Dr. Una Clarke, Dennis Hawthorne, Victoria Rogers, Derek & Georgia Cyrus, Janice Julian, Nadine Sutherland, Dr. Kevin Brown, among other friends and community leaders.

The reception, chaired by Dr. Lawman Lynch of New York City, was both a celebration of an important personal milestone and a tribute to the value of service to country and community.

For Nurse Powell, the Order of Distinction is a significant national endorsement of a journey marked by compassion, leadership and volunteerism. It also serves as an inspiration to others in the Jamaican Diaspora and beyond to continue giving back, often without expectation of reward.

As family and friends gathered to celebrate her achievement, the evening reaffirmed the enduring value of service and the profound difference one individual can make through a lifetime of commitment to others. 

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