THANKS, DOC! Queen’s top honour for doctor leading our fight to combat COVID crisis

Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis

As of Monday, January 4, 2021

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

MORE than two dozen Bahamians have been recognised in Queen Elizabeth’s 2021 New Year’s Honours list for their outstanding service to the country, with health consultant Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis leading the list.

The 2021 list celebrates 24 Bahamians from diverse backgrounds who have made significant contributions to various sectors in the country.

Topping the special list was Dr Dahl-Regis, who was selected for Companion of Most Excellent Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (CMG) for her services to public and community health.

According to a Pan American Health Organisation biography, Dr Dahl-Regis was one of the first women to graduate in medicine in The Bahamas during the 1960s. She is credited as spearheading several ground-breaking health initiatives in the region and in 2010, she was appointed to lead PAHO’s International Expert Committee (IEC) for verification of the elimination of measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome.

Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Dr Dahl-Regis has played a key role in the country’s national response, putting in place strategies, policies and procedures to help manage the health crisis.

While she is no longer heading the COVID-19 task force team, she still serves as special consultant to the Office of the Prime Minister.

Named Commanders of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) are James Mitchell Pinder for service to politics and business and Walter Wells for services to business and industry.

Speaking to The Tribune yesterday, Mr Wells, president and CEO of Caribbean Bottling Company, said he was both surprised and humbled to learn he would be awarded the special recognition.

“I was pretty surprised and obviously very humbled by the thought that someone would want to recognise me,” he said.

“It would’ve been a matter of a couple of weeks that I was asked about it and so it’s not like I knew this was going to happen in September.

“Certainly, I don’t think and I think most people don’t go through life expecting that someone is going to come along and pat you on the back and say ‘well done, my good and faithful friend of service’ so it was very much a pleasant surprise and obviously very humbling that someone would take the time to consider recognising me.”

He also said the recognition serves as a great start for him in the 2021 new year.

Also receiving special distinction was Dr Charles William Diggiss, Fredrik Gottlieb and Jeffrey Williams, Bahamas ambassador to the Republic of Haiti. The three men were named Officers of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE).

Meanwhile, those named Members of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) include Charlotte Joanne Albury, Jason Matthew Albury, Reverend Remelda Carey, Captain Whitfield Neely, Grover Martin Pinder, Ruban Roberts and Chad Wilson Sawyer.

For the British Empire Medal (BEM) honour, five women and four men received the award. These include Laura Benson for services to religion and community activities, Jeanette Davis for service to the community, Etienne Farquharson for services to business and community involvement; Chenena Gibson for service to politics and civil involvement; Neca Cecilia Knowles for services to business; Linda Mae Sands for services to community involvement; Gabriel Styles for religious work; Boynell Williams for services to community and Kenneth Robert Wood for services to business and politics.

Awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for their services to the Royal Bahamas Police Force are Assistant Commissioner of Police Ashton Greenslade and Assistant Commissioner Loretta Mackey.

joeblow 3 years, 3 months ago

One only need ask objectively if the "fight" against COVID-19 was a success in this country to determine if this 'honour' is deserved.

Why not give an honour to the Minister of National Security for his role in reducing crime during the pandemic too?

It is this kind of pandering that reduces the value honours should have!

bahamianson 3 years, 3 months ago

Exactly Joe, how can you get an honour for doing your job? So, every person in a top position whom has fought Covid since March should get an honor. I do not understand. People get honors in this country for doing their jobs. Politicians come to the people, say what they plan to do, and if they do what the planned to do, get an honor and are recognized as a hero. At this rate, the entire country will be honorable.

ohdrap4 3 years, 3 months ago

Bahamians are obssessed with titles. If you cannot be a beauty queen or get an honour from the queen, then join the clergy. The apostle bishop reverend doctor is itching to become pope.

Remember when they were choosing 50 living legends every year? They ran out of recipients soon enough.

I recall someone receiving an honour years ago, so I congratulated her. She then told me the hounour came with a book of banquet tickets at 200 a pop that she had to sell. Lol.

bogart 3 years, 3 months ago

The Bahamas National Feeding Network comprising of numbers of Charitable Entities, Churches and hundreds of volunteers to seek and supply food to over 100,000 persons on different islands during this crisis should have an award !!!!!!

TalRussell 3 years, 3 months ago

Thanks, Doc seems inappropriate got hired as a consultant work out office prime minister only back on July 23, when that other guy took off for the US and come but 162 days to New Year's Day...the Queen, she has done knows your name. Both remain on the PopoulacesPurse,
Clearly, two crazy cases points why the field of Psychiatristry has become the colony's most profitable profession.
Shakehead a quick once for upyeahvote you really couldn't just make up such nonsense. Shake twice for not?

hrysippus 3 years, 3 months ago

How refreshing to see Her majesty honour a person who actually deserves it, a person who is not a political crony, an ex-politico, or a political party campaign donor.

BONEFISH 3 years, 3 months ago

These awards by the queen was made on the recommendations of the cabinet office.

Politicians have a major say in who are honored in this country.

tribanon 3 years, 3 months ago

LMAO

John 3 years, 3 months ago

Redo due to one who is to be respected. Accolades are well deserved. One day we may realize that Minnis, too , deserves recognition but all in due time.

juju 3 years, 3 months ago

We need an economist to honour now.

TalRussell 3 years, 3 months ago

The careful collaboration of the context me words before clicking - post!
Wouldn't Comrade Graham talk radios most compulsive serial listener caller not qualify as one being of sufficiently balanced in all fields economics - all of which are essential as the recipient of a Queen's honour?
Shakehead** a quick once for upyeahvote cannot make such nonsense up. Shake twice for not even sure if em's does even has a real job?

themessenger 3 years, 3 months ago

Tal, How many of your edibles do you have to consume to make listening to The Village Idiot every day palatable?

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