organisations.

And recently she was acknowledged for her service both nationally and regionally -- for her exemplary leadership and contribution to the field of nursing.

Jacqueline Lightbourne has been in the business for 35 years. She was there when the first Nurses Act was written and she helped build the Bermuda Nurses Association.

Most recently she was presented with the Jospphawauta Award for exemplary leadership and contribution to nursing in Bermuda and the Caribbean region.

Ms Lightbourne has held many posts including the founding member of regional nursing body, and the current chairman of the board of review. Contributions include assisting with the development of guidelines for the regional examination of nurse registration in Caricom -- Caribbean Community -- countries, and working with the Blueprint workshops in the Caribbean which conduct regional examinations. This one exam is taken by nurses in all the islands.

And in 1991 she was awarded a plaque by the Regional Nurses Body.

President of the Bermuda Nurses Association Lovette Lovell said in order to be nominated for the award you have to be a member of the National Nurses Association, have held elective national office and served on the CNO board of directors or as an appointed chairperson or member of a standing or special committee.

"The person must also demonstrate leadership in and contributed to the professional association nationally and or regionally,'' Ms Lovell said.

She added: "All of these requirements have been fulfilled by Ms Lightbourne as she is the past founding member of the Bermuda Nurses Association and she has traveled extensively.

"The Bermuda Nurses Association nominated Ms Lightbourne for the award and at the 20th Biennial Caribbean Nurses Organisation conference in Belize I accepted the award on Ms Lightbourne's behalf.

"Twenty-six countries belong to the association and 25 were represented at the conference which was centred around the theme "Nurses and Nursing -- agents of changes''.

Ms Lovell also said the job of choosing a recipient proved to be very difficult for the CNO because other nominees had also made impressive contributions.

On receiving the award Ms Lightbourne said: "I feel quite honoured to be nominated by my peers and I thank the Bermuda Nurses Association for their choice in recognising my contributions both locally and internationally.'' Ms Lovell said the Bermuda Nurses Association mandate is to enhance the practice of nursing in Bermuda and "I think as a professional body we feel honoured that we can recognise our peers for their contribution to nursing as we have done by recognising Ms Lightbourne.

"Nurses have a continuous impact on the health of Bermuda's people which is an objective of the association -- maintaining and promoting the health status of Bermudians especially the members of the association.'' Among Ms Lightbourne's credentials are: She has also been a member of the geriatric advisory committee; A member of the Child Care Administration Committee; A member of the Homeless Committee; A counsel member of the St. John's Ambulance Brigade and; A member of the Bermuda's Health Care Review.

"I was president of the Bermuda Nurses Association when Bermuda hosted the Caribbean Nurses Association in 1972,'' Ms Lightbourne added.

Ms Lovell said: "This is my first term in office and I have really found Ms Lightbourne helpful and informative. If you are looking for nursing history in Bermuda she is definitely the right source to go to.

"She has been there through all the changes within the association. She is very much a part of our history.'' CONTRIBUTION TO NURSING -- Ms Jacqueline Lightbourn (left) was honoured by the Caribbean Nurses Association for her exemplary leadership and contribution to nursing in Bermuda and the Caribbean region. Pictured presenting her with the award is president of the Bermuda Nurses Association Lovette Lovell.