How it all started a decade ago

Perhaps the only person who can give you a detailed blow-by-blow account of the history of the Tony Thwaites Wing is the institution's first chairman, Hon. R. Danny Williams. Just mention the Wing, and a special gleam sparks in Mr. Williams' eyes. It's a gleam of pride and achievement.

"Professor Peter Fletcher and Professor Carpenter and others before them from the University Hospital had for many years advocated the idea of a wing, with the main objective being that the specialists could carry out their practice without leaving the hospital compound, which is the case at many hospitals in developed countries. Such a wing would not only benefit the patients and doctors, but would provide revenue for the UHWI and more jobs for nurses and other health care professionals", reminisced Williams.

The first chairman of the Wing pointed out, however, that many years passed without anyone finding a way to get the project started. "Then one day, Douglas Fletcher, Peter's father approached me. Peter and Professor Carpenter were also involved. Douglas asked me to help get this project off the ground".

Williams recalls that a team was then assembled with architect Clifton Yap, Quantity Surveyor, Errol Spence, and project manager Jeremy Brown, David Bicknell, Tony Thwaites, Billy McConnell, Jim Lim, and Pat Rousseau, among others were involved. "We then approached all the major and public sector companies for their assistance. This was in the early 1980's and at the time the type of facility we were thinking of would cost in the region of $100m. After a while, the adrenaline stopped flowing, the money was not available and idea of a wing appeared to have died again".

"Then, in 1986, Tony Thwaites and I were having a drink one Saturday afternoon up at Greenwich in the hills of St. Andrew and discussing the need to build something costing about $10M since he was certain that we had the ability to raise such an amount. Our earlier plans had called for a very elaborate building, but Tony recommended and I readily agreed that we should build what we could raise the money for and take it from there. That is part of the reason why the wing bears Tony's name".

Tony Thwaites' suggestion that the planners seek to raise $10m and build a compact health care facility worked. All the drawings were redone to fit the new budget and a fundraising programme began with Williams at the helm.

"Shortly before Tony Thwaites died, he made me promise him that the wing would be built. Tony was fully involved in the initial fundraising efforts but unfortunately he died before the wing was built. All of us owed it to him to ensure that the project went ahead".

As the work continued, Williams remembers the sterling efforts of Cynthia Warmington who was secretary to the planning team as well as Karl Davis (CEO of UHWI) who were instrumental in the development process. He also praised Milton Samuda who took over from Pat Rousseau of Myers Fletcher and Gordon to do the legal work.

"There were also persons like Howard Spencer who was very involved at the start of the process. All these individuals gave of their time and service free of cost.. it was just a tremendous show of love and dedication for a worthy cause. And, later on the final planning stages, people like Mark Thwaites (the current Chairman), Karen Wase and Grace Palmer became involved. Peat Marwick did the auditing and Arel Limited under the supervision of Laurie Stewart took charge of all the electrical work. In short, we raised the money in cash and kind from a wide cross section of firms and individuals.

Then the moment finally came in October 1990 as the Wing was officially opened by the then Minister of Health, Easton Dougas.

"It was a very moving, thrilling occasion for all of us who dared to dream and go after it with such passion. Initially, the Wing did not receive the support we expected because some misunderstood its role but over time, the support has grown and the facility is now firmly entrenched as a top quality health care provider. From the early days, when we only had two patients, we certainly have come a long way", said Williams.

Williams had high praise for the first manager of the Wing, Jacqueline Marriott whom he says came from Canada to do a fine job. "She was followed by Dr. Kathleen Henriques and the current manager, Andrea Sutherland, who both continued in the tradition of excellence in that position.

"All our shareholders and donors - scores of them, too many to name, must also be highly commended for giving us such a wonderful institution," Williams commented.

The Tony Thwaites Wing has now grown to be a great asset to Jamaica's health care system and continues to grow from strength to strength.

"I feel good that the Wing is now serving its original purpose and I'm happy that I was part of it all," says Williams with typical modesty.