An Antiguan has been honored for her contribution to hospice care in Antigua & Barbuda. Agnes Meeker was conferred with the Officer of St John at a recent ceremony, attended by Governor General, Sir Rodney Williams and Lady Williams, along with the administrator of the St. John Hospice Jane George-John, staff and friends of the institution. The Officer of St John honour was conferred on Meeker by the deputy sub-prior of the order, John Chew Mah.
Sir Rodney, who is a Knight of Justice of the Most Venerable Order of St John and Jerusalem, commended the St John organisation for giving public recognition to Meeker’s work. He also praised her significant contribution in providing professional care for the terminally ill in Antigua & Barbuda and for opening the first hospice in the OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States), with the assistance of the government of Antigua & Barbuda.
Meeker, who is an author, also serves on the board of the Museum of Antigua, the National Archives Restoration Committee and the Sugar Train Restoration Committee. The St John Hospice was opened on December 1, 2011. It has 11 beds, 13 aides, two registered nurses, two volunteer doctors, one Housekeeper and one administrator. It is operated from donations and fund raising efforts. The order of St John is found throughout the Commonwealth of Nations. Its mission is to prevent and relieve sickness and injury, and to act to enhance the health and well-being of people around the word. The Officer of St John award is number four on the grade of six orders.
(With permission from the Antigua Guardian)