Belize Red Cross volunteer receives Florence Nightingale Medal

The Governor General of Belize, Sir Colville Young, today presented Miss Delsyia Palmerston Goff with the Florence Nightingale Medal, certificate and photogravure on behalf of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Guest speakers at the event included Hon. Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Matron Mavis Palacio, and Mrs. Karen Diaz, President of the Belize Red Cross.

The Florence Nightingale Medal may be awarded to qualified male or female nurses and also to male or female voluntary nursing aides who are active members or regular helpers of a National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society or of an affiliated medical or nursing institution who have distinguished themselves in time of peace or war by:

- exceptional courage and devotion to the wounded, sick or disabled or to civilian victims of a conflict or disaster,
- exemplary services or a creative and pioneering spirit in the areas of public health or nursing education.

Miss Goff certainly fits the criteria above. She began her career in 1954 at the Belize School of Nursing where she studied nursing and midwifery in order to qualify as a registered nurse.

Miss Goff rose through the ranks of nursing in Belize to Principal Nursing Officer and in the Caribbean and she served on the regional Nursing Body. She worked tirelessly to improve nursing in Belize and was instrumental in the implementation of updated policies and conditions for nurses and community nurses aids.

Miss Goff’s association with the Belize Red Cross began in 1970 when she was appointed as the Ministry of Health’s representative to the Central Committee. After her retirement from Public Service in 1988, Miss Goff continued to serve on the Committee until 2006.

In addition to her executive duties where she promoted the Fundamental Principles and International Humanitarian Law, Miss Goff passionately and vigorously worked on the Society’s Disaster Management Committee and dedicated countless hours to coordinating the response operations for Hurricanes Keith and Iris.

Miss Goff could often be sighted working in the field doing assessments, blood pressure and diabetes checks, and countless other volunteer activities.

It is especially fitting that the award was presented to Miss Goff during the closing of the Home Care Givers course as she was, and continues to be, instrumental in assisting in the development of the curriculum and methodology for delivery for the course.

The President and Members of the Central Committee of the Belize Red Cross heartily congratulate Miss Delsyia Palmerston Goff on receiving the 41st Award of the Florence Nightingale Medal.