Dr Patrick Bhoorasingh (left), president; Dr Granville Smith (centre), honouree, and guest speaker Minna Israel, managing director, RBTT Jamaica, at the Association of Surgeons in Jamaica's annual awards banquet at the Knutsford Court Hotel, Ruthven Road, St Andrew, on Saturday, May 16. - Photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Is there a doctor in the house? There was a room filled with them at Knutsford Court Hotel on Saturday, May 16, when surgeons met to honour two of their own.

The event was the annual awards banquet of the Association of Surgeons in Jamaica. The 51st annual banquet was in honour of Dr Granville Smith, a general surgeon, and Dr William Dennis, who was honoured posthumously for his contribution to paediatric surgery.

Smith served Jamaica and the Kingston Public Hospital for 35 years. In addition, he worked in private practice and lectured.

Dennis, who was represented by son Dean Dennis and the deceased's sister Violet Lawrence, was described as jovial, calm and dedicated. According to Professor Newton Duncan, who read a citation, Dennis was committed to serving the most vulnerable - children - before he died in 1999.

Entertainment

(From left) Professor Newton Duncan, Drs Allie Martin, Sheray and Warren Chin were all out to honour their colleagues Drs Granville Smith and William Dennis (posthumous), who were awarded for their contribution to surgery in Jamaica.

A combination of reggae, classical and traditional religious songs comprised the entertainment provided by Harold Davis and Friends.

Guest speaker Minna Israel, managing director, RBTT Jamaica Limited, emphasised that as the third-largest bank in Jamaica, RBTT was adjusting to its customers' needs and fostering a closer relationship with them. She said that in June the bank would be rebranded as Royal Bank of Jamaica. This three-year process will begin on June 1.

Michelle Bhoorasingh beams in bright colours.

Guests included: Dr Patrick Bhoorasingh, president of the Association of Surgeons in Jamaica and his wife Michelle, Dr Junior Taylor, Dr Edel Brown and his wife Elesa, Dr Charles Royes and his wife Grace, Dr Hafeezul Mohammed, Nadia Mohammed, Drs Warren and Sheray Chin, Dr Allie Martin, Dr Pavel P. Chang, Dr Hilary Brown, Dr Richard Aitken, Javette Nixon, Roxann Linton, RBTT country operating officer, Dr Simone Dundas, Dr Ronald Lampart and his wife Sheila.