"One UWI, One Alumni Family" 

Two distinguished alumni, Professor Celia Christie-Samuels CD and Dr. Anselm Hennis were honoured at the UWI Medical Alumni Association Celebration Fiesta held on July 19, 2023 as part of The UWI's 75th Anniversary Jubilee Week.

Dr. Christie- Samuels is Professor of Pediatrics (Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology and Public Health) at The UWI, Mona, - appointed “Professor Emerita” in 2022, - and is also a Consultant Pediatrician at the University Hospital of the West Indies, and has headed UWI’s Vaccines Infectious Diseases Centre and Jamaica’s Perinatal, Paediatric and Adolescent HIV/AIDS/Infectious Diseases Programme. Dr. Anselm Hennis is the Director of the Department of Non-communicable Disease and Mental Health, Pan American Health Organization, World Health Organization. Both received a 2023 Pelican Award from their fellow alumni, the highest and most prestigious award given by their fellow alumni.

The Celebration Fiesta itself was a truly exceptional event and brought together alumni from across the Caribbean and the world and fostered a sense of camaraderie and shared experience that was truly unparalleled. It also created networking opportunities that allowed alumni, colleagues, medical students and Friends of The UWI to connect and make new connections with graduates from all eras. It was a lot of fun with delicious food by Chef David Brown (Pages Café), Rum cocktails and beverages by Moneymusk and music by DJ Powa. Sir George Alleyne, Chancellor Emeritus or "Uncle Champ/Champ" as he is affectionately known, at 90 years of age led the dancing; and Vice Chancellor Emeritus Prof. E. Nigel Harris and his wife Yvette (also a UWI alum) also showed their dancing skills, with the younger students showing everyone the current moves - in fact, folks had so much fun that the event went well past the original programme time.