Super-achieving Winnie Gopaulsingh Mair gets GG's Award

Winnifred Gopaulsingh Mair with Governor General Sir Patrick Allen and Custos of St. Mary Jeff McKitty - Dave Lindo photo from Gleaner - see link at end of this post

A graduate of Mannings High School in Savanna-la-mar, Westmoreland, Winnifred Gopaulsingh Mair has blazed a trail of excellence over the past 50 years.  Her academic qualifications from  The University Hospital of the West Indies include: 1964 - Registered Nurse, 1966 – Registered Midwife,  and 1968  - Diploma in Public Health and as a School Nurse.

In 1981, she graduated from The University of the West Indies Department of Advanced Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner and in 1990 she attained a Diploma  in Management Studies from the Jamaican Institute of Management

She then returned to study at UWI: in 1992 she was awarded the Certificate in Nursing Administration and in 1995, the Masters Degree in Public Health.

Winnie's distinguished colleagues at her 70th Birthday celebration: Syringa Marshall Burnett and Custos Emeritus Bobby Pottinger and Mrs Pottinger

Joy in Service

Winnie’s career has been marked with excellence and joy in service to her fellow Jamaicans.  From 1964 to 2000 she was employed by the Ministry of Health and has held numerous nursing positions in various Health Centres across the island.  She started as a Staff Nurse in Sav-La-Mar, Black River and Cambridge.

However, the greater part of this time was spent in various Health Centres across St. Mary when she moved there in 1969, after marrying farmer and sales executive Michael Mair. She served in various capacities – Staff Nurse,   Public Health Nurse,  Midwife and Family Nurse Practitioner.

During this time she also became the  Project Manager  for the Netherlands Rural Health Project.

From 2000 to 2003  she worked with the North East Regional Health Authority as the Parish Manager for St. Ann.

Winnie retired in 2003, but continues to serve St. Mary as a School Nurse.  She has worked at Brimmer Vale High School, St. Mary Technical High, Carron Hall Vocational School and is currently employed at St. Mary High School.

Winnie is also Founder and Partner of the Highgate Nursing Home.

An Outreach Star

Winnie’s dedication to community is reflected in her numerous endeavours as a dedicated Optimist and Church member.  She has served as President of the Highgate Optimist Club, and is the past, distinguished and outstanding Lieutenant Governor for the Optimist International Caribbean District.  She has organized several Health Fairs and Free Clinics in the parish.

Winnie is a talented organist, serving at the Salem United Church, but this super-gifted lady has not rested on her laurels.  She also completed Certificate courses in cake decorating and floral arranging from CAST (now UTech).

Winnie cuts her 70th Birthday Cake with her grandson Sekani Boxill while other family members look on

Family woman

Winnie is a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother.  Her children Rachael (Boxill) and Stephen Mair hold senior positions: Rachael as a highly respected Teacher at The American School (AISK) and former Tutor at UWI; Stephen as an executive with the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Jamaica.

To her extended family and circle of friends, Winnie has been a pillar of strength – a generous and wise sibling, aunt, cousin and friend.

Why do I know so much about Winnie?  She is my beloved cousin!!

From Dave Lindo, Gleaner Writer

MANDEVILLE, Manchester:

GOVERNOR GENERAL Sir Patrick Allen said that the annual Governor General Achievement Award (GGAA) is geared towards recognising people who, despite the financial challenges, still find it within themselves to improve their lives and also to help others.

"The Governor General Achievement Award recipients over the past 22 years have realised the value of human development over simple national income," Sir Patrick said. "They have striven to develop their own potential and to encourage others to do the same."

Sir Patrick was speaking at the GGAA presentation function for Middlesex, which took place on Thursday, July 25 at the Gulf View Hotel. The governor general was accompanied by his wife, Lady Allen…

Those bestowed with the coveted award were Clifford Freemantle of St Ann, Adrian Genus of St Catherine, Lorine Mae Metcalf-Cousins of Clarendon, Winnifred Gopaulsingh-Mair of St Mary, and Sister Una O'Connor of Manchester.

The GGAA programme was started in 1991 as an initiative of former Governor General Sir Howard Cooke. Sir Patrick took over as the patron of the award on his appointment as governor general on February 26, 2009.

Read more at http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130727/lead/lead5.html