May 21, 2007, Mandeville, Jamaica [Nigel Coke/IAD]
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Jamaica was presented with the Wellness Award for Excellence in the category of education, lifestyle and development in recognition for its outstanding contribution to the promotion of wellness and positive lifestyle on May 17, 2007. The presentation was made by the Environmental Health Foundation (EHF) at its Third Annual Wellness and Awards Ceremony at Eden Gardens, St. Andrew, Jamaica, under the theme “Wellness Works Wonders.”
The Adventist Church was among six individuals and organizations, both locally and internationally, who were recognized by EHF for their role in promotion of positive wellness and lifestyle.
Pastor Joseph Smith, who represented the president, received the award on behalf of West Indies Union Conference. In receiving the award Pastor Smith thanked the foundation for recognizing the church.
“The Seventh-day Adventist Church embraces the health message,” said Pastor Smith. “We emphasize the total well-being of man. We believe that God came through Jesus Christ to restore man not only spiritually, but physically, emotionally, mentally and socially. We will continue to do our part as we seek to make our nation whole under God,” he further stated.
The Adventists in Jamaica own and operate the Andrews Memorial Hospital, four clinics and the Northern Caribbean University Nursing School. The church cooperates and collaborates with several governmental and non-governmental agencies in educating and promoting healthy lifestyle.
The Environmental Health Foundation is a private, independent grant-making organization dedicated to providing strategic investments and support to groups and individuals with the aim of improving the health, environment, and educational status of Jamaicans. Through the support it provides, the Foundation fosters innovation particularly in the field of science and technology and the development of knowledge, helps strengthen institutions, and provides information to the general public mostly via its publications, meetings, lectures, as well as through the media.
