HSA Medical Director lauded for humanitarian efforts

Dr. Delroy Jefferson, Medical Director of the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (HSA), has been named a Distinguished Humanitarian by the Global Listening Centre.

The Global Listening Centre (GLC) is an international non-profit organisation that defines listening as effective intercultural and interpersonal relations by being attentive and respectful of all persons. As a member of the GLC, Dr. Jefferson has been recognized for his contributions in both his personal and professional environments. Dr Jefferson is just one of three individuals globally to receive this 2019 Distinguished Humanitarian Award.

For the past fifteen years, Dr. Jefferson has dedicated his annual leave to humanitarian efforts in countries such as Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica and Egypt. On these self-funded trips, he provides medical aid to persons with socioeconomic challenges free of charge. In keeping with his mandate to be an effective global listener, he engages in cultural exchange with these persons, offering insight to his culture while absorbing theirs in return. In his role as a physician, providing free care to less fortunate persons has been a longstanding passion of Dr. Jefferson. In addition to providing healthcare assistance, Dr. Jefferson has also funded academic scholarships for students in Africa and the Caribbean.

“I look forward to my annual humanitarian missions as a time of renewal”, says Dr. Jefferson. “Interacting with those with lesser voices and empowering through education, financial aid or healthcare gives me extraordinary fulfilment. Knowing that I have aided those persons gives me the vigor to lead the medical personnel of the HSA once I return home.”

Locally Dr. Jefferson offers guidance and mentorship to young Caymanians who are aspiring physicians as well as those in allied health fields through their university years and into medical school. Over the years, he has mentored over 25 individuals. Dr Jefferson continues his local and regional humanitarian efforts through various initiatives as a member of Rotary Club of Grand Cayman Sunrise.

Dr. Jefferson has been with the HSA since 1998 and took up his current post as Medical Director in 2012. He holds a BSc honours degree in Biochemistry and Physiology from the University of the West Indies (UWI), where he also obtained his primary medical training and postgraduate training. He went on to earn an Advanced Diploma in Anaesthesia followed by Doctorate of Medicine in Anaesthesia and Critical Care.

Dr. Jefferson’s education and experience extends well beyond medicine, having obtained a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Management from the University of London in 2001 and then pursued a Doctorate in Business Management from the Swiss Management Institute with an emphasis on medical tourism. In addition to being a practicing physician, Dr. Jefferson has lectured regionally and internationally in such fields as strategic leadership, governance and policy and written for a number of peer-reviewed publications.