From left: Drs Michael Fitz-Henley, Peggy Myers-Morgan, Verna Reid and Eileen Lopez-Gordon, pose with gifts for their hard work in organising the University of the West Indies Class of 1979 30th anniversary celebration.

WESTERN BUREAU:

Replacing surgical gowns with party hats, the University of the West Indies medical class of 1979 wrote the prescription for bliss at their 30th anniversary dinner at The Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall, in Montego Bay, last Saturday night.

Reminiscing about the highs and lows of their years at the Mona campus, some 31 doctors, boasting a mix of successful general practitioners, specialists and some six professors and their friends and family, put a new meaning to fun at the Montego Bay resort from Thursday August 6 to Sunday, August 9.

Relaxed mood

It was an atmosphere of relaxation interspersed with amusing anecdotes of the past. Memories were revived and relived as food was shared and spirits soared. One unforgettable highlight of the reunion was the medical symposium on Saturday morning, where professors Celia Christie, Paul Edwards, Ray Bahado-Singh, and Drs Jeffrey East, Lennox Jacob, and Michael Fitz-Henley delivered presentations.

Undoubtedly, the main event was the celebration dinner where Dr Cyril Fletcher, professor of anatomy and specialist surgeon, was presented with a citation read by Dr Carrol Pitters. Described as a master educator, mentor and friend, Dr Fletcher, accompanied by his wife Janet, was praised by his former students. In his role as master of ceremonies, Dr James 'Jimmy' Peart eloquently demonstrated his mastery of the language, to the appreciation of his peers whom he kept constantly amused.

'Wild bunch' doctors Carlton C.C. Jones, Ray Bahado-Singh, Ian Titus, Hugh Barned, Donald Dixon, Wayne Fraser, and Henry Haye's spontaneous interruptions of cheering, jeering, singing and dancing, kept the already happy gathering in gut-wrenching laughter throughout.

Compered by the beautiful and lively Jackie Norman, the evening's entertainment got underway with a well executed dramatic presentation by former St James Festival Queen, Sashoy Ellis. Baritone Rory Frankson kept all ears tuned to his renditions, cabaret singer A'Lisa Flemmings had her own 'choir' closing the show with a riveting performance, and Brent Maxwell's Dancers 'Gimme de ting whey de docta order mi' was well received.

Left: Dr Carrol Pitters dances with Doctors Carlton C.C. Jones (centre) and Ray Bahado-Singh. Right: Dr Cyril Fletcher and his wife Dr Janet LaGrenade make a grand entrance into The Ritz-Carlton, Rose Hall, last Saturday, for the 2009 University of the West Indies Class of '79 30th anniversary gala. - photos by Janet Silvera