LASCO Chin Foundation, NAJ Name 2026 NOY, NSOY Winners
Updated: Aug 26
Historic tie and first-ever four male nursing student finalists mark milestone awards
History was made as the Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) celebrated its 80th anniversary at the 2026 LASCO Chin Foundation and NAJ Nurse of the Year and Nursing Student of the Year Awards, where the prestigious programme recorded its first-ever tie, resulting in two outstanding nurses sharing the title of Second Runner-Up.
The milestone moment came as Jamaica’s nursing profession gathered to celebrate excellence under the theme: “Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives,” recognising healthcare professionals and nursing students whose commitment, leadership and compassion continue to strengthen patient care and inspire the next generation of nurses.
Emerging as LASCO Chin Foundation and NAJ Nurse of the Year 2026 was Registered Nurse and Midwife Jervine Richards of Percy Junor Hospital, whose seven years of dedicated service, patient-centred approach and unwavering commitment to community development distinguished her among an exceptional field of finalists.
Richards, who was presented with the $200,000.00 prize from LASCO, is widely respected not only for the quality of care she provides at Percy Junor Hospital, but also for her servant leadership beyond the clinical setting. As President of the Kiwanis Club of Spalding-Christiana, she has championed initiatives focused on education, youth development and community outreach, demonstrating her belief that nursing extends far beyond hospital walls.
First-ever tie
Latoya Russell of the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre was named First Runner-Up, recognised for her outstanding commitment to patient care, nursing education and mentorship. Her dedication has earned her multiple recognitions including Nurse of the Quarter. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of the West Indies, Mona, and a Certificate in Preceptor Training from the Caribbean School of Nursing at the University of Technology, Jamaica. Russell received $150,000.00 from LASCO. In the competition’s first-ever tie, Michelle Hales Thompson of Percy Junor Hospital and Juline Souden of the University Hospital of the West Indies were both awarded the Second Runner-Up prize with LASCO presenting them with $100,000.00 and their LASCO Gold Cards.
A nursing professional with more than 27 years of experience, Hales Thompson has built an impressive career in nursing administration, leadership and mentorship while serving as Departmental Nurse Manager at Percy Junor Hospital. Her longstanding contributions to the Nurses Association of Jamaica and the Caribbean Nurses Organisation have helped advance nursing leadership both locally and regionally.
Meanwhile, Souden, Charge Nurse of the Accident and Emergency Department at the University Hospital of the West Indies, has earned national recognition for excellence in emergency nursing and midwifery. A Certified Emergency Nurse and recipient of the prestigious Grabham Prize for Excellence in Midwifery, she continues to champion innovation, mentorship and clinical excellence in one of Jamaica's busiest emergency departments.
President of the Nurses Association of Jamaica President Dawn Marie Richards shared, “As we celebrate 80 years of existence of the Association, we do so standing on the shoulders of giants who have built and shaped the nursing profession over the past eight decades. This milestone reminds us not only of how far we have come, but of the responsibility we have to continue that legacy of excellence, compassion and service.”
She added, “LASCO has been with us since 1999, has played a pivotal role in recognising and celebrating nursing excellence. As a past Nurse of the Year myself — 2006 to be exact — I am sensitive to the fact that Mr. Chin was someone who was always here for us. It is especially meaningful to have his granddaughter, Ce’zanne, not only as a representative of the Foundation but as a personal family member to continue that legacy of dedication.”
The awards also celebrated the future of Jamaica’s healthcare system through the Nursing Student of the Year competition, which this year recorded another historic milestone with the first-ever four male finalists in the programme’s history — reflecting the growing diversity within the profession and increasing interest among young men in pursuing careers in nursing.
Challenge long-held stereotypes
Claiming the title of LASCO Chin Foundation and NAJ Nursing Student of the Year 2026 was Javier Palmer of Knox Community College School of Nursing.
A third-year nursing student, Palmer impressed judges with his academic commitment, leadership qualities and determination to challenge long-held stereotypes surrounding men in nursing. Aspiring to become an Operating Room Nurse, he hopes to inspire more young men to view nursing as a rewarding profession while demonstrating that compassion, competence and excellence know no gender.
“This year’s awards has been particularly inspiring. We welcomed 22 outstanding finalists — 11 for Nurse of the Year, 11 for Nursing Student of the Year — to include, for the first time, four male nursing student finalists. That is a significant achievement for us because we have long-encouraged more young men and it is rewarding to see them embracing nursing as a profession. While nursing has traditionally been female-dominated, these young men have demonstrated that the profession is strengthened by diversity, and I can say without reservation these four males represent exactly the kind of future we want to see for nursing in Jamaica,” Richards expressed.
Emphasising the impact of the awards programmes, Ce’zanne Chin, Corporate Communications Officer said, “This programme holds a deeply personal significance for me because it reflects the vision of my grandfather, the late Honourable Lascelles Chin, OJ, CD, LLD (Hon. Causa), whose unwavering belief was that those who dedicate their lives to caring for others deserve to be celebrated and supported. Seeing this competition continue to recognise excellence in nursing year after year is a powerful reminder that his legacy is very much alive. As we partner with the NAJ during its landmark 80th anniversary, we are proud to honour nurses and nursing students whose compassion, leadership and service embody the values he championed and whose work continues to strengthen Jamaica’s healthcare system.”
First Runner-Up was secured by Aroha Lynch, also of Knox Community College School. A consistent high academic achiever, Lynch has earned several academic awards, including the institution’s Highest GPA Award for two consecutive years and the Principal's Award for the highest GPA across the college. Meanwhile, the title of Second Runner-Up went to Natalia Richards of Brown’s Town Community College School of Nursing. A Barry Wint Scholarship recipient and certified peer mentor, Richards has combined academic excellence with practical healthcare experience through her work at St. Ann's Bay Regional Hospital.
The annual awards programme continues to recognise nurses and nursing students who exemplify professional excellence, leadership, innovation and compassionate service, while reinforcing the critical role nurses play in strengthening Jamaica's healthcare system. This year’s historic milestones — the first tie in the Nurse of the Year competition and the highest representation of male nursing student finalists — underscore the continued evolution of the nursing profession and reflect a future driven by excellence, diversity and empowered leadership.
The LASCO Chin Foundation and the Nurses Association of Jamaica remain committed to celebrating and investing in the country's nursing professionals, whose dedication continues to transform lives and improve healthcare outcomes across Jamaica.
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