Adventist Doctor in Jamaica Receives National Award for Lifetime Service

Jerome Stern, a retired senior medical officer from Andrews Memorial Hospital in Jamaica, was conferred the Badge of Honor for Long and Faithful Service during a ceremony of investiture and presentation of national honors and awards at the National Indoor Sports Complex on Heroes’ Day, October 21.

The Governor-General of Jamaica, His Excellency Sir Patrick Allen, presented the award to Stern, who served the country for 46 years in both public and private health care. He was one of 232 Jamaicans officially recognized for their contributions to nation-building.

“This award is more than I expected, as I see myself working under the Great Physician’s guidance and honoring Him,” Stern said. “I give my best. So, I give God the glory for all that He has done.” He also thanked the government of Jamaica for the recognition, along with Andrews Memorial Hospital, his church, and his family for their unwavering support and prayers.

A Medical Career

Stern completed his internship at Kingston Public Hospital and the Bustamante Hospital for Children in Jamaica, followed by residency at St. Ann’s Bay Hospital in St. Ann. “I recall that there weren’t enough doctors, so I served as assistant to the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Warren Wilson, a renowned surgeon,” Stern said. “We were the only two doctors on staff caring for all patients in the then 40-bed hospital, doing surgery, ward rounds, maternity, outpatient, and emergency care.”

One night, Stern received an emergency call that the ambulance driver was drunk and could not pick up a car accident victim. Stern drove the ambulance, picked up the seriously injured patient, and performed lifesaving surgery.

As a Medical Missionary Doctor

From 1975 to 1977, Stern worked at the Ulster Spring Hospital, now a health clinic in rural Trelawny. He was the senior medical doctor and the only one on staff at the 30-bed facility.

Stern testified, “I saw 60 patients a day and did ward rounds and surgery, including giving anesthetics, due to the urgent care needed and the hospital’s remoteness.” The closest hospital was the Falmouth Hospital, 25 miles away.

Despite his demanding schedule, Stern still found time to share messages of hope and comfort with his patients and community members. His medical missionary dream remained close to his heart.

“I started a branch Sabbath School at the outpatient department of Ulster Spring Hospital. I would conduct Bible classes on Sunday evenings, and this grew to five other locations, one of which was held at a Balmyard — where Afro-Caribbean spiritual rituals are practiced. As a result of the Bible classes, the Alps Seventh-day Adventist Church in Trelawny began.”

National Impact

Stern’s passion for promoting optimal health led him to conduct smoking cessation seminars, including The Five-Day/Breath Free Plan to Stop Smoking and the Fresh Start Smoking Cessation Program. His work in health education also included radio and television programs, which led to the launch of Health Watch on Television Jamaica. Over the course of seven years, Stern witnessed individuals break free from smoking addiction, improving their quality of life.

“Dr. Stern, you truly deserve this national recognition and award from the government and people of Jamaica,” said Everett Brown, chair of the Andrews Memorial Hospital Board. “Your commitment and dedication to Andrews Memorial Hospital, the local medical community, and the health sector in Jamaica are exemplary.”

Donmayne Gyles, president of Andrews Memorial Hospital, expressed the hospital’s pride in Stern: “The AMH family is proud of you, Dr. Stern. You truly deserve this honor. We see in you a faithful, committed, and astute doctor who exemplifies humility in extending Christ’s healing ministry.”

Stern’s wife, Barbara, their daughters, Brittany and Jamie, Jamie’s fiancé, Paul McNeil, and Stern’s two sisters, Elsa Stern Kong and Marigold Naar, were all present to support him.

“I am filled with pride and admiration for Jerome,” Barbara Stern said. “His kindness, love, and unwavering willingness to help others, combined with his remarkable intellect, have led him on many miraculous and adventurous paths. It is an honor to stand beside him as he achieves so much.”

The original version of this story was posted on the Inter-American Division news site.